Last year’s UCLA and Campus MovieFest International Grand Finale Best Picture Winner, “The Butterfly King,” was submitted by The Wait List, a group of UCLA students.
Credit: CAMPUS MOVIEFEST
Lights, camera, action ““ most of us are well-versed with the basic terminology of film production, the intricacies of what goes on behind the scenes of filmmaking. Yet not everyone gets an opportunity to become part of the prolonged process ““ Campus MovieFest, a nation-wide festival, does just that, giving students an opportunity to make a five-minute film.
Campus MovieFest travels around the nation, providing students with cameras, microphones and other film equipment and gives them a week to complete a five-minute film. Not only does this competition give students an opportunity to practice their creative side, but awards are also handed out in several different categories, including Best Picture, Best Comedy, Best Drama and another special category that will be unveiled during the event’s launch.
The weeklong event starts on Wednesday at the Kerckhoff Art Gallery, where students will be handed their equipment to start shooting. On Oct. 28, 29 and Nov. 1, technical support will be provided for any team who has trouble shooting or has any logistical questions. On Nov. 2, the teams will submit their films and return the equipment. Finally, on Nov. 11, there will be a finale at Ackerman Grand Ballroom, where all films will be screened.
“The great thing about Campus MovieFest is that it allows anyone to make a movie,” said Ali Cottong, a fourth-year American literature student who is the director of film festivals for the Campus Events Commission and is in charge of bringing Campus MovieFest to UCLA.
According to Cottong, their goal is to have as many entries as they can and have students participate to display all forms of talent.
Last year, the Wait List, a team from UCLA, ended up winning the international competition for their film “The Butterfly King.”
“I really want to become a producer one day, and this short film will be a glimpse for me into how the movie industry works,” said Zachary Eggers, a third-year history student.
Eggers’ team, which consists of around 22 members, is working on a film currently titled “Is She He,” which focuses on questioning one’s identity.
“Campus MovieFest is giving us a great opportunity to work together with new people to make some really creative films,” said John Soliman, a third-year physiological science student.
According to Cottong, the Campus MovieFest allows students to experience the movie-making process outside the walls of film school.
“You don’t have to be a drama major or a film major to participate ““ and we end up seeing a lot of great films from students who otherwise would not be taking the time to make a film,” Cottong said.