What does a 1920s-themed music video, a documentary on a child with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and a narrative film about a sisterly bond have in common? These short films are all being featured at Fairfield University’s annual Cinefest film festival, taking place this Saturday.
Since 2005, the University has put on Cinefest, which showcases documentaries, narratives and music videos made by students in the New Media department. Film, television and radio majors work hard throughout the year on films to be showcased at Cinefest.
Not only do the students participate in the festival to publicly show their hard work to an audience, but also to win awards in categories such as cinematography, directing, editing and sound design. The faculty members who judge the films are from the New Media Department as well as other university staff.
“There are awards, a red carpet and everything,” said film major Eve Seiter ’14, who was the stage manager for Cinefest last year and will be again for Saturday. “It’s just like being at a real film festival, but for Fairfield University students. I went to the Sundance Film Festival this past year in Utah, and it was surprisingly similar.”
Last year’s theme for Cinefest was Lights, Camera, Action!, and Seiter said that a lot of people had attended it. The theme this year is Superheroes, and a large turnout is expected as well.
“We have so many different types of films this year,” said Maria Vlahos ’12, who produced her senior capstone for the festival on Saturday. “We have documentaries, short narratives, experimentals, client videos, music videos, animations – we really have it all. There is something for everyone to watch and enjoy.”
Vlahos states that every year, the films that are showcased at Cinefest improve due to the increase in student creativity, as well as technology. With the advancement in talent and equipment comes an increase in audience.
Back in 2008, an article published in The Mirror called “Cinefest: Is it time for change?” dealt with the increase in audience for Cinefest. The location of Cinefest changed from the Community Theater in Fairfield to the Quick Center, due to not having enough seats for the increasing amount of audience members.
Director of the New Media program Fr. Jim Mayzik S.J., said in the article that the attendance had gone up in 2008 and caused the 350-seat theater to fill up extremely quickly. At the time, the Quick Center was being looked at to occupy the increased audience, holding around 700 viewers.
Today, the Quick Center is the home of Cinefest. The advanced technology located in the theater improves the viewing experience, enhancing the quality and making the films more enjoyable to watch.
“Cinefest is a lot of fun, and you get to meet film makers before-hand,” said Maggie Andrew ’14, member of the Ham Channel who works at Cinefest. “Everyone gets dressed up and it’s exciting, whether you’re a film major or not.”
“It’s what we worked on all year, and it doesn’t matter if you want to stay for a little bit or the whole thing. It’s free,” said Seiter. “Come support other students and their hard work. It’s like you’re really at a film festival.”
The eighth annual Cinefest Fairfield film festival will take place this Saturday, May 5, at 6 p.m., at the Quick Center for the Arts. Students within the film, television and radio programs, non-media majors, families and friends are all welcome to attend the festival, which is open to the general public as well.
So come on out to the Quick Center and support your fellow peers and the films they have worked hard on throughout the school year.
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