Short on Time but not on Talent
TEMPE, Ariz. - ASU Herberger College of Fine Arts School of Theatre and Film will host its first Student Short Film Festival on Monday, May 1 at Harkins Valley Art Theatre.
The event presents the public an opportunity to experience firsthand the breadth of energy of today's talented student filmmakers. An estimated 25 short films will be shown and a handful will be a part of a special competition judged by two Hollywood actors.
One feature of the evening will be an "Under-Five-Minute Film Competition," sponsored by the ASU Student Filmmakers Association (AFA). Two popular young actors: Jason Mewes (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Scream 3, Clerks) and Jason Marsden (Boy Meets World, A Goofy Movie, White Squall) will help select the winning filmmaker from a pool of nine finalists.
"This festival and competition should provide a terrific opportunity for our talented ASU filmmakers to showcase their material," said F. Miguel Valenti, assistant director of the ASU School of Theatre and Film. "We hope to grow the event year by year and present works of all varieties to the public. This should prove a great launching pad for the filmmakers, one I wish that I had had when I was in college!"
A $500 cash prize is being donated by the AFA. Following is a list of finalists and the titles of their films:
- Fish Power by Trevor Dauten
- The Dream by Matthew Ladensack
- The Making of A Movie by Kolby Granville
- Executive Ninjas by Brett Girod
- Poisoned Youth by Brad Bindson
- Empty by Grady Daub
- Birthday Boy by Dan Dredger
- Misfire by Joe Russo
- From My Sister by Charles Hirak
After the competition, additional films made by current and former ASU students are scheduled to be shown, including: The Story of Alfred, Frankie Mendoza, J.J. Chalupnik; Credit Counselors, Jared Mercier; Steam, Students At E2's Digital Workshop; Awakening, Kristen Desmet, Jessica Simoncini, Michelle Rodrigues; Taken, Cameron Jones-Miller.
This free event will be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Harkins Valley Art Theatre on Mill Avenue and 5th Street in Tempe. For more information, contact Miguel Valenti at (480) 965-2655, F.valenti@asu.edu .
The Herberger College School of Theatre and Film provides a comprehensive range of courses in performance and directing; design and production; new work development; theatre and performance studies; film; and theatre for youth. Its Theatre for Youth program is nationally ranked in the top three and the creative writing/playwriting program is ranked 15th among public institutions by " U.S. News & World Report ." To learn more about the School of Theatre and Film, visit http://theatre.asu.edu/film.