Saint Rose Television Proudly Presents First Annual Film Festival

By JACKSON MURPHY
Staff Writer

SRTV, the Saint Rose Television Club, is squeezing in one more major event before summer break. The inaugural “SRTV Film Festival” takes place on Friday May 3 in the Hearst Center. Club leaders Joyce Hills, SRTV president, and David Meister, vice president, came up with the concept a few months ago. “It’s an offspring of a few different ideas, including the 48 Hour Film Festival that we’ve done,” Hills said.

At 4 p.m, the stars of SRTV web programs, such as “A Knight at the Movies,” “One Take Tutorials” and the “Knightly News,” will be at booths in the TV studio discussing their shows. Then, around 5:30 p.m, guests will head to Room 119.

A select number of short films made by COM students, and those outside the department, will be screened. “Students could submit final projects from this semester from any production class, of any genre,” Hills said. She, Meister and fellow SRTV executive board members Rebecca Mielnicki and Treasurer Chris Nichols, reviewed the submissions.

“It’s a great platform for students… to showcase their work,” Meister said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to get noticed.” Meister, the only SRTV member with a journalism concentration, admits he feels a bit “out of my element.” However, having taken Production classes in past semesters, Meister understands that by holding this Film Festival, “it gives [the projects] second life.”

The screening will be hosted by Allen Hills, of “A Knight at the Movies,” who will offer his insights on the films. Sister Joyce Hills thinks highly of her brother. “He’s a great orator, very personable and engaging with the audience,” she said.

Judges, including COM professors Mary Alice Molgard and Jin Kim, will screen the films with the audience members in attendance and will announce the winners later in the evening back in the TV studio.

Fellow judge, and SRTV Club Advisor, Liz Richards, was instantly thrilled with the idea of the Film Festival when Hills and Meister presented it to her earlier this semester. “I want students here to be more involved in filmmaking,” Richards said.

She also heads the popular “15 Minutes Max Student Film Festival,” which returns this Fall for its eighth year. As a special prize, the first place recipient of the SRTV Fest will automatically be shown at “15 Minutes Max.” Richards calls this, “a big deal,” adding that Film Fests like these are “learning and educational opportunities, with the chance to offer feedback.”

Richards has admired the efforts of Joyce Hills and Meister in crafting the “SRTV Film Festival” in a rather short amount of time. “They work quite well together,” Richards said. “Joyce is a visionary, and David is a workhorse.”

All three hope for a great turnout. The event is Free – and a fun break for students before they’re vigorously studying for final exams over the weekend. Hills and Meister, who are both juniors, envision this as a tradition and already have plans for a second installment. “I hope for this to be a staple for the department,” Hills said, “so we can solidify ourselves as a presence.”