In 2001 four students at Emory University created the Campus MovieFest (CMF) film festival to help student film-makers achieve their dreams. CMF is now the world’s largest student film festival and it is returning to Georgia State for the tenth time thanks to Student Affairs, Campus Events, SGA, GSTV, RHA, Spotlight Programs Board and SAF.
“CMF’s mission is to provide all students with the resources to tell their own story. By providing equipment and training, CMF is ideal for first-time filmmakers,” Avery Grant, an organizer for the event, said.
Students are given a week and all the equipment necessary (including an Apple MacBook Pro with editing software, tripod, shotgun mic, Panasonic HD camcorder and around-the-clock tech support for free) to make a five-minute movie that could potentially be shown at the festival.
Winners from Georgia State will compete at the CMF Hollywood (International Grand Finale) and the top short films will be screened in-flight on Virgin America Airlines and at the Short Film Corner in the Cannes Film Festival. They will also get the chance to win $30,000 cash, 12-month memberships to Adobe Creative Cloud, Hollywood pitch meetings and more.
“As a past participant and employee what I enjoy the most about Campus MovieFest is watching students work together to transform an idea into a five-minute film and see it up on the big screen,” Grant said. “It’s fun to see students surprise themselves with how much they are able to accomplish in one week.”
Students who signed up by Feb. 6, will pick up their equipment from 12-5 p.m. in University Center 480 and 485. Categories for potential films include Best Picture, Best Drama and Best Comedy.
Both the equipment and movies must be turned in by Tuesday, Feb. 12 in order to be judged by a panel of Georgia State students, faculty and staff who will choose the top 16 that will be screened at the red carpet finale Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Rialto Center for the Arts. Prizes for the filmmakers and the audience will be given away at that event.
There is also an opportunity to win up to a $10,000 grant by competing in a Social Justice category where the films must address a specific issue.
Last year’s CMF World Tour had over 75,000 student participants with over 250 films advancing to CMF Hollywood this past June. College students filmmakers from around the world attended panels, workshops, screenings of their films at Universal Studios and a glamorous award ceremony, with special guests including Wally Pfister (“The Dark Knight Rises”), Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”) and Jon Landau (“Avatar”).
“My experience at Campus MovieFest this past year has been insightful and thrilling,” said Nicholas Sailer, creator of 2011-12 Best Picture Winner “The Strong One.” “When I first entered Campus MovieFest three years ago, I could only dream about where I am now. It has taken me on a journey that has proved invaluable. Campus MovieFest provides support, encouragement, enthusiasm and a creative environment for filmmakers all over the world to share their vision.”
Georgia State winners are also invited to join the CMF Distinguished Filmmakers Network — a program that provides top students with op- portunities ranging from paid content production to unforgettable experiences within the film industry.
