A few years ago, a Sigma Alpha Mu, or Sammy, fraternity event
probably would have been characterized by a bunch of red cups, a
few kegs and a lot of wild undergraduates. The fraternity is
turning that all around, however, with a little help from some
student films and a few celebrity guests as part of the third
annual Transdimensional Film Festival, set to make its UCLA debut
Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Kerckhoff Grand Salon.
The members of Sammy have come a long way to make the festival
happen. In 1997, the Sigma Alpha Mu national organization shut down
its local chapter at UCLA because, in simple terms, its members
“were not outstanding gentlemen,” said Michael Miller,
a second-year pre-business economics student and president of
Sammy.
Six years later, in 2003, the chapter was re-founded at
UCLA.
This year, the organization has 25 members, five of which are
film students or students interested in the medium. Because of the
high interest of the members in film and animation, the fraternity
agreed to sponsor and volunteer at the festival.
“We are putting on something that is totally our
style,” said Hank Friedman, a founding member of the festival
and second-year Russian studies student.
In its first two years, the festival was held at California
State University, Long Beach. But as word got out and entries began
pouring in from other campuses, states and countries, event
producers felt it was time to expand to a bigger campus. Friedman,
who is also the vice president of Sammy, decided to bring the
festival to UCLA and make it one of his house’s events.
“It strengthens our relationships in the
fraternity,” he said.
This year, shorts from local UCLA students all the way to
filmmakers in Switzerland were considered for the event.
Approximately 10 documentaries, mockumentaries, animations,
narratives or sci-fi movies will be chosen and judged by a special
panel of professionals.
Alex Borstein, known from Fox’s “MADtv” and
perhaps more notably as the voice of Lois Griffin on “Family
Guy,” is the featured celebrity judge. Others completing the
panel include Jules Mitton, the former head writer on
“Jeopardy,” Ray Sharp, another founder of the festival
and a teacher for the Long Beach Unified School District, and Bruce
Rubin, a screenwriter.
Each piece will be judged in its respective category and will be
considered for the Audience Award and an overall Best in Show
Award.
“We want films from every dimension of the
imagination,” Friedman said.
The festival is open to all UCLA students and the surrounding
community.
Admission is free, but a $5 donation is requested to cover the
costs of the event, which also gives the viewer an opportunity to
vote for his or her favorite in the Audience Award category.
“The festival will be a good way to get our name out
there. If we get more guys, that wouldn’t hurt,” Miller
said.
In addition to the official entries, an original cartoon created
by Friedman and Scott Yacyshyn, a second-year Design|Media Arts
student, will open the festival. Other comedic shorts made by
members of the fraternity will be shown between entries.
“The point of the festival is to entertain people,”
Friedman said.
“What do we want people to walk away saying?”
“Willikers!” Yacyshyn answered.