By SERIAH SARGENTON
Staff Writer
On Oct. 7, the Madison Theater, The College of Saint Rose and the Times Union sponsored the fifth annual 15 Minutes Max Student Film Festival.
High school and college students within a 50-mile radius of Saint Rose are encouraged to submit films that vary in genres such as documentaries, photo roman, fiction, and non-fiction narrative. Between 70 and 75 people submitted their films for the chance to make it to the finals, and only 11 were chosen.
Each director had their own special reason for why they created these particular films. From the moment the doors opened until the winners were announced, you could sense the emotions that were rising off the finalists.
“I’m excited to see how the audience will react, and interpret my film,” Samuel Lund, a current sophomore at Saint Rose proclaimed right before the festival began. Lund submitted a horror film titled “Room 121,” which tells the tale of a student who gets trapped in Hearst room 121 as freaky events begin to occur in which the student is helpless.
For him, being able to watch his films on the big screen, and watch the impact it has on the audience drives him to make more.
The road leading to the finals was not easy for Lund. His directing and producing skills were put to the test. Excitement is only one of a million emotions that filled the finalists Friday.
15 Minutes Max forced one film director to push himself to his limits, and battle against the clock. “Noises,” a horror film that took no longer than four hours to produce, was awarded audience choice, and this made the film director feel blessed.
“This award was the bigger thing to win than first place or money,” Ian Griffens, a senior at SUNY Adirondack, explained. There is no better feeling than accomplishing a life goal and that is exactly what has happened for Griffen, who suffers from panic anxiety.
“I survived the stage, I have survived the pressures. I have survived the competition,” he stated as he explained how much confidence this has given him. “Anxiety forces you to get things done,” Griffen said after deciding that he will continue to create films that are relatable and fun to watch.
Emotions aren’t the only ones that drive these directors to greatness. Calianne Lopez and Courtney Guttenberg agree that they have Professor Elizabeth Richards to thank for this opportunity.
“I would thank Liz for showing me that my work is valid, and that I can continue in the industry.” Lopez is grateful to have experienced this opportunity because she knows that this is something that would help her go towards her future career. Lopez hopes to continue making creepy film such as the one seen at the festival called “To Jennifer, With Love Richard,” which provided the viewers with a sense of horror and thrill. To her, “every love story should end in death.”
On the other hand, Guttenberg does not plan to enter any more festivals because this one was too nerve-racking for her. She does thank Professor Richards for encouraging her to continue on. Guttenberg may do a few shorts here and there, but she doesn’t enjoy seeing her work on the big screen. Guttenberg does not regret entering the competition, saying that it “definitely has credentials to it that I hope to use one day.”
The directors of these films were not the only ones filled with emotions. The festival staff felt the heat throughout the festival process.
Professor Richards, coordinator and one of the jurists of the festival, thanked her team for helping her pull off another great show.
The team included Saint Rose professors Silvia Mejia and Vaneeta Palecanda, Chris St. Cyr, Hudson Valley Community College professor Jennifer Austin, Saint Rose senior Nicole Foster, Melanie Bowman of the Arts & Humanities Office, and emcee Jackson Murphy, renowned movie critic and Saint Rose freshman.
“I am really proud that we had three fantastic Saint Rose films as part of our festival this year. I think it is such a fabulous experience for them to have a wider audience for their work and for it to be seen beyond the classroom. I know they often feel nervous about showing their work, but it’s good for them,” Professor Richards said. “It is just so satisfying to see this work come out of our region.”
Aside from Professor Richards, emcee Murphy was happy to a part of the festival this year.
“I am excited to be able to be up there and showcasing these films, and I am proud to see these young filmmakers work,” he said as he waited for his cue to go up on stage.
Murphy was impressed with the number of documentaries submitted this year. “I liked all of the films, they were unique and had a purpose.” Murphy was excited to see how much Saint Rose was able to get represented at the festival.
Saint Rose accomplished a lot last Thursday, but we have to acknowledge our neighbors up the road, University of Albany, for their accomplishments. SUNY Albany students Taofleek Abijako and Aden Suchak submitted an inspirational documentary about Abijako’s life as a Nigerian living in America, and how he goes about every day. For these co-directors, it was important to showcase these differences.
“He was always good at accepting me for who I am,” Suchak says about Abijako. “I wanted to do something for him to show his culture is, and how he does things.” After watching the film on the big screen, Abijako agreed, “it was great.”
15 Minutes Max proved to be more than a festival celebrating the creation of great films. It was the perfect moment to shine a light on all of the passions, emotions, and inspirations that will drive these young directors to success.
“No good film is too long, and no bad movie is too short,” Roger Ebert’s famous quote was used by Murphy during the opening speech of the festival, and really summed up the experience.
