The University of Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre (FTT) announces the 28th annual Notre Dame Student Film Festival, in the Browning Cinema at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, Jan. 26 through 28.
An annual launching pad for student filmmakers as they begin their careers in the film, television, and entertainment industry, the Notre Dame Student Film Festival screens films that were made by undergraduate students during the past year as class projects in the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre. Festival founder and FTT faculty member Ted Mandell says, “It’s an important time to be a filmmaker in our country, and our students have really embraced the opportunity to create art that hopefully challenges and inspires their audience.”
As in recent years, audience members are invited to vote for their favorite film via text message. The Audience Choice Award will be presented to the student director(s) of the winning film after the final screening.
The festival has featured the first films of future award winners such as Peter Richardson (2011 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Award winner, “How To Die in Oregon”) and John Hibey (2012 Sundance Film Jury Award Winner for Short Filmmaking, “Fishing Without Nets”), as well as numerous others.
Among the films featured in the 2017 Notre Dame Student Film Festival:
- “Peace at the Pipeline,” Erin Lattimer, Ryan Leen. Two Notre Dame students travel to Standing Rock to find that the story isn’t the protest, it’s the people.
- “Old Friends,” Dakota Connell-Ledwon, Matt Keough. In Tennessee, there’s a shelter for man’s best friends who’ve seen better days.
- “Debajo de los árboles (Beneath the Trees),” Crystal Avila. With the help of his granddaughter and an old still camera, a Mexican immigrant retraces his path across the Arizona border decades ago.
- “Prayer Associate,” Ryan Taylor, Ben Vasquez. From high above, there’s plenty of work for Woody at the Department of Prayer Relations.
- “Filtrado,” Rosie Biehl, John Salazar. In Antigua, Guatemala, one ceramic pot can change lives.
- “Take Two,” Mariel Cuellar, Megan Snodell. A haunting trip and an empty prescription bottle.
- “Colour Blind,” Jill Chipley, Rosie Biehl, Liz Konicek. Value in life is not black and white.
Tickets for the film festival are $7 for the general public; $6 for faculty, staff and seniors (65+); and $4 for students. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone at 574-631-2800 or in person at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center ticket office.
Screenings will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 (Thursday) and at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 27 and 28. The audience choice award will be presented after the 9:30 p.m. showing on Jan. 28. Some films may contain mature content.
Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre offers both a scholarly and a creative context for the general liberal arts student at Notre Dame as well as those students seeking intensive preparation for advanced study in these fields. The hands-on nature of its curriculum, coupled with a very high degree of student-faculty interaction, provides students with a singular educational opportunity at a university known for its teaching excellence. The Notre Dame Student Film Festival is a direct outgrowth of the department’s academic program and an integral component of our students’ artistic development.
Contact: Stacey Stewart, Department of Film, Television and Theatre, 574-631-0457, stewart.109@nd.edu. @NDFTT
Originally published by at news.nd.edu on January 18, 2017.