That's a wrap! UPB celebrates student filmmakers

…And action! The University Program Board (UPB)’s newest event took student films to a whole new level; on December 3, four films were selected and shown in Grafton-Stovall Theatre in front of an excited and supportive crowd.

The red-carpet evening was organized by UPB’s Film Committee as a way to spotlight and support student filmmakers. They provided Oscar-worthy refreshments for the attendees (and popcorn, of course!) and set up a photobooth for filmmakers and attendees to satisfy their inner diva. “I decided to submit to the festival because I thought it would be a good opportunity to experience what it is like to share my short films in this capacity,” said Trey Jordan, sophomore SMAD major and filmmaker. “I’ve never attended one like this before and it was truly a life-changing experience.”

Students came wearing suits, ties, formal gowns and exquisite makeup. Each filmmaker spent a lot of time and effort on their film, and UPB felt that requesting audience members to wear semiformal attire would be another way to make the evening special. “Tonight was so fun,” said Brontë Johnson, junior SMAD major. She was part of the filming process for Jordan’s films and was attending the celebration wearing a long red gown. “We got to see who was involved, got to dress up and just support each other as filmmakers. I think the whole process is really rewarding.”

The films were premiered on the Grafton-Stovall Theatre screen, and many of the filmmakers sat in the front of the theater, surrounded by their cast, crew and friends. The first two films were called “Stuck In Motion” and “20%” written and directed by Trey Jordan. Following those was a documentary called “Motherwounds: A Story of the Sacred” written and directed by Dancer Heebner and Amelia Morrison. The final film was “La Douleur Exquise,” written and directed by Kevin Gorman. “I’m always interested in supporting students, especially students in the arts,” said Tim Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs. “I can’t imagine doing what they just did tonight. I really liked the last one. I loved the cliffhanger.”

Each film showcased the filmmakers' unique abilities to use sound, tension, dialogue and editing techniques to their advantage. At the end, UPB Film Committee President, Lauren Dargan, led a Q&A session with the filmmakers and then presented each film with an award. “It was a humbling feeling to be able to win the awards,” said Jordan. “The films took a lot of work to create and it was great to share this moment with the people who have supported me through it. I really can’t thank Lexie [Burns] and Brontë enough for all their love and support as I would not be where I am today without them!”