Students and the entire ACU community will have the opportunity to enjoy a night of film and entertainment, as the ACU FilmFest comes to the Paramount Theater at 8 p.m. on Friday.

The event will provide attendees the chance to view student-made movies and witness the crowning of films in categories such as Best Original Music and Best Picture.

Trevor Cochlin, senior biblical text major from Belton, produced, filmed and edited The Reunion, a zombie flick among the featured films.

“We’re really concerned with the imminent zombie apocalypse, and we thought FilmFest would be a great venue to raise people’s awareness and help them prepare themselves.”

Cochlin said he and his crew shot the film in two days and on three hours of sleep.

“We had a couple late shoots and a sunrise shoot at 5 a.m.,” Cochlin said. “But by the second day, we were completely done, which was great.”

Cochlin said he is a part of a group of five students who had a Wednesday-night zombie movie marathon. He said they toyed with the idea of making a zombie film and thought it would be fun and perfect for FilmFest.

“We took a bunch of ‘the making of’ videos, and those will be fun to look back on, as well,” Cochlin said. “The finished video was great, but it’s definitely one of those times you enjoy the journey, as well the destination.”

As for Friday’s awards show, Cochlin said he most looks forward to viewing the other films and seeing everyone’s efforts come together in a nice ceremony.

“Everyone likes movies, and to watch movies that your friends have made will make the night an even better experience.”

Meagan Wilcox, junior psychology major from Sacramento, Calif., said she looks forward to this year’s FilmFest because, as a transfer student, she has never attended.

“It’s great for upperclassmen because unless you’re a freshman or in club, there’s no real chance to dress up,” Wilcox said. “FilmFest allows ACU students to attend their own version of the Oscars.”

Wilcox said she is a huge advocate for the arts and that she supports ACU’s unique emphasis on art programs at a time when other schools have been cutting them.

“I think there is a lot of emphasis put on other majors, and FilmFest allows students to showcase their talents in the arts and in a recognizable way,” Wilcox said.

Students also will have the opportunity to watch The Usual, a film directed, filmed and edited by Travis Meadors, junior advertising and public relations major from Burnet.

“I’m really looking forward to people just seeing my movie and hopefully, appreciate it,” Meadors said. “I just want them to like it.”

He said he believes that this year, the quality of the films is among the best ACU has ever seen.

“There’s a lot of talent, and it’s nice to know that there are people out there who like making movies as much as I do.”