FilmFest 2010 was more than just a night at the movies. For the first time this year, the film awards ceremony included a Best in Original Music Composition category and live performances by the three nominees.

Alex Howard won the award for his song, Your Face. Tom Craig, director of student productions, said feedback about the music portions of the show was positive.

“It added a fun element to the show,” Craig said.

The 12 films entered in this year’s festival ranged from documentary to comedy, experimental short and drama, and each related to the show’s theme, Timeless.

The film Roulette Italiana won seven of the 15 film awards. Produced by Travis Zahodnik and directed by Zahodnik and Travis Meadors, Roulette Italiana was filmed in black and white and written in Italian, with English subtitles.

The People’s Choice Award went to Jimmie Jackson’s experimental short Kids from the Underground. Voting for this award was open to all students from Tuesday through Thursday night at midnight.

Rachel Kinnaman, junior management major from Abilene, said she voted for the film Soundtrack because she liked the concept and enjoyed the music featured.

“It’s good to include a people’s choice award because the films are written by students, so it’s important they have feedback,” Kinnaman said.

Craig said the 12 films featured this year were some of the highest quality ever entered in the competition.

This year’s judges included Randy Brewer (’93), Chris Harris (’77), Jan Harris (’77) and Jessica Gray (’99).

FilmFest 2010 Winners

Best Writer: Travis Zahodnik, Travis Meadors and Jordan Fox, Roulette Italiana

Best Technical Director: Jacob Kitts, The Card Game

Best Production: Travis Zahodnik, Roulette Italiana

Best Sound Designer: Travis Zahodnik, Roulette Italiana

Best Experimental Short: Jimmie Jackson, Kids from the Underground

Best Documentary: Lawson Soward, Texas USA

Best Drama/Action Short: Travis Zahodnik, Roulette Italiana

Best Comedy Short: Perry Harrison, Hobocop

Best Actor: Jason Sedillo, Roulette Italiana

Best Actress: Kat Bailey, Anachronism, and Jennifer Gorenflo, I Love You Too

Best Original Music Composition: Alex Howard, Your Face

People’s Choice Award: Jimmie Jackson, Kids from the Underground

Best Producer: Travis Zahodnik, Roulette Italiana

Best Director: Jacob Kitts, Card Game

Best Picture: Roulette Italiana