UM Film Festival Helps Create a Stronger Film Culture in Community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhbMIYYx56o

Lights, camera, action! The 2018 University of Mississippi Film Festival is over, but organizers hope the impact remains. Harrison Witt, assistant professor of film production, came up with the one-minute film competition idea.

“The goal of the festival is to help create a stronger film culture here at the university. Also, to highlight some of our work for our new program and to bring other Mississippi filmmakers together,” Witt said.

The two-day event took place in Fulton Chapel this weekend. The festival was originally held in the spring, but organizers were able to add workshops and panels to the fall program.

Emily Hink, a general studies major with cinema, business, and digital media studies minors, has participated in the festival for two years. She said she likes having it in the fall because it gives her a chance to prepare for the Oxford Film Competition.

Hink said she also enjoys the festival because she feels supported by her friends.

“I think it’s really fun coming with your friends and other filmmakers to hype each other up and see each other’s films,” she said.

The UM Film Festival had more 50 short film submissions, but Witt says he expects that number to increase.

The UM Film Festival was open to high school and college students. The top three winners in each category are accepted into the Oxford Film Festival.

Story contributed by broadcast journalism student Lauren Conley.