On Thursday, May 25 in the PAC, the annual M-A Student Film Festival (MASFF) showcased a variety of short films that students worked hard to create.
While most participants were students in M-A’s Digital Filmmaking class, all M-A students were allowed to enter. Student films were given the opportunity to win the award for five different categories: Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Audience Favorite, and Best in the Fest. Most awards were presented following the showing, while the winner for “Audience Favorite” was determined by a google form sent out to viewers and announced at the Spring Rally.
Out of 23 fabulous student films, the winners included “Lucky” by Thea Shih for Best in the Fest, “Til Death Do Us Part” by George Mhanna for Best Screenplay, ”Through the Lens” by Tommy Cope for Best Cinematography, “James Bond: Target Acquired” by Mark Bakunin for Best Editing, and “Swatted” by Abigail Ko for Audience Favorite.
Junior Tommy Cope, who won Best Cinematography for his short film “Through the Lens,” had also won awards for his film last year. As the film’s spy narrative unfolds, brief shots of vivid color contrast the protagonist’s black and white world, creating an intense yet compelling visual experience.
“My inspiration was just films that I’ve watched. I’m really inspired by the theater experience, so I just wanted to do something like that for everyone, in terms of music and the feeling of the movie and everything. I just want to make it really exciting and thrilling,” said Cope.
He also noted the impact of M-A’s Digital Filmmaking class on his work. “It’s provided me with the means to make all my films. I also wouldn’t have met my actor if it weren’t for that class. I get all this equipment and people, so it’s super helpful.”
Junior Thea Shih’s short film “Lucky” won Best in the Fest. “Lucky” follows two teenage best friends through a seemingly unremarkable outing in San Francisco that ends in a stunningly-crafted plot twist that elicited a wave of audible gasps from the audience.
Shih explained, “My friends definitely inspired me, because it was kind of based off their personalities, so I didn’t really create the characters, they were based off people I know.”
She also gave a shout out to the Digital Filmmaking course, stating, “It contributed a lot. It taught me everything I know about how to edit, and composition and lighting. I’ve learned a lot from that class, especially from Mr. G.”
Other winning films were equally impressive. Audience Favorite winner “Swatted,” by Abigail Ko, left the entire audience laughing with its comedic storyline and fantastic dialogue, cinematography, and editing. George Mhanna’s “Till Death Do Us Part” delivered a dramatically humorous plot that juxtaposed the setting of a funeral and took home the award for Best Screenplay. Best Editing winner, “James Bond: Target Acquired” by Mark Bakunin, amazed the film’s audience. Regardless of awards, all 23 films showcased the remarkable talent and creativity of M-A students.
Digital filmmaking teacher John Giambruno noted that having awards created a noticeable difference in the Film Fest from previous years. “This is only our third year with awards. It felt way more competitive this year. It was really neck and neck with only several point differences that changed several times. For me it was really exciting,” he said.
Giambruno also noted the enjoyment he, as well as M-A’s filmmakers, had in being able to view these films at the Film Fest with an audience.
“I also, I’ve watched these movies four times and I still laughed at points and I still got sad at points, and so I was still affected by the movie even though I watched them a few times. I feel like this year was more surprising. I didn’t really see the work, so I was getting really nervous, but all of the sudden these fantastic movies started showing up. They really hustled these last few weeks to have these really great films.”
Several film students also noted the large amount of last-minute work this project required, with both Cope and Shih vocalizing the stress they felt alongside their peers attempting to finalize their films during AP testing in May. Nevertheless, both expressed the enjoyment they felt at being able to showcase their hard work at the Film Fest.
Giambruno attributes the hard work that went into these films almost entirely to the students who created them, saying “ It’s really the filmmakers who make this possible. They figure out a lot, and they have really good instincts.” I always like the audience reactions, too. I’m in a bubble when I watch them: I’m at home watching them on a screen when I’m grading, and I’m looking for something very very different from when you see it in a theater. Sometimes the audience hears or sees things that I miss, and sometimes some things that you thought were fantastic fell a little short. It’s nice to kind of get out of that bubble and see a hundred people laugh or cry or get angry or gasp.”
He encourages students to participate in both the Film Festival and Digital Filmmaking class, saying, “The film festival’s open for everyone. You don’t have to be in my class but it’s easier because I require it for a grade so it’s basically their final. Digital filmmaking is always open, and you can always sign up for it. It’s a lot of fun. Even if you feel like you have some skill, I feel like I give you the opportunity to get a grade for showing that skill, which is always good. I feel like even with the most skilled videographer, I’m able to show a trick or two to some advanced students.”
The films showcased at M-A’s Film Fest this year are available to watch here.
