Students attended an interest meeting two weeks ago, to discuss the seventh annual student film competition, FilmFest.
Members of the competition board met with potential directors, screenwriters and musicians to discuss changes made to this year’s competition, which will challenge participants to tackle the issue of identity.
Third year co-chair Christina Johnson, senior English and professional writing major from Dallas, said this year will be different, due both to the control element and new judging process.
“This year, we’re having the script judged separately and the film itself judged for screenwriting,” Johnson said. “When the participants turn in their scripts, we’ll immediately forward them to the judges, and they can already have that judged.”
Johnson said the theme Identity came to her during a church service.
“As college students, identity is what we’re all really trying to find,” she said. “We are all on this four-year, personal journey and really in this in-between time, and we really wanted a theme that everyone on campus can relate to.”
The competition started Friday, when the FilmFest board released the control element, a required line of dialogue all films must contain, via its Tumblr account, acufilmfest.tumblr.com. Those wishing to participate must complete an application and pay the $45 entry fee by Friday. The fee will provide contestants with a t-shirt and ticket to the premiere night at The Paramount Theatre on March 25. A producer’s meeting will take place Saturday in the Learning Commons, and casting for actors begins Monday.
As a new addition this year, groups may choose one of two dates to turn in their final piece. Judges will accept work on March 11 and 21. However, entries will be issued a $20 late fee on the latter date.
Johnson said the extra date will be helpful for students going on spring break campaigns who still want to participate or for those wanting extra time to film.
“I think to capture a film in three to five minutes is difficult, and it’s a struggle for a lot of people because you just want to tell so much back story,” Johnson said. “But really, you’re telling a climactic moment in a character’s life or plot. That’s what we’re looking for.”
Entries may be anywhere from three to five minutes long and may enter in only one category. The short film also must reflect the university’s mission and policies.
“One thing to keep in mind is that this is not an avenue to film something that’s not in accordance with ACU policy,” said Tom Craig, Director of Student Productions. “We want everything to be kept within the guidelines of ACU.”
About 15 awards are given out, and a grand prize will be awarded for Best Picture.
