Film Festival to Exhibit Cinematic Debuts

By Daniel Hanower

There are few things more entertaining than watching a good movie. When it begins, a wave of excitement spreads throughout the audience. Voices hush. The theatre goes dark as everyone waits for the screen to brighten the room once again.

There is something even better than this, however, and that is knowing that the film about to be shown is the result of weeks of work by your friends and peers.

The Genesis Film Festival, a highly anticipated event, is coming up, and will present student efforts. This annual festival was started four years ago by several communication professors on campus as a way to proudly display the work of their students.

"We felt it was important to showcase the best of the student films from the Communication Department at Santa Clara," said Jonathan Fung, a communication professor on campus and one of the creators of the film festival.

"We have some very talented filmmakers that will succeed in the film industry, and it's wonderful to get their work screened," said Fung.

This event, run by the Communication Department and Montage Film Club, has become wildly popular. Last year, Recital Hall was packed with viewers, and they expect a similar turnout this year. This time around, the festival has a specific goal in mind.

"This year, we're really trying to push for an open category," said festival participant Misa Mascovich. "We're really hoping to push that and have people from outside the (Communication) Department."

For this category - one of a few in the festival - it is possible for all students at Santa Clara to submit a piece.

"It's a really satisfying feeling to see it up on the screen and have 200 people watching your film," said Mascovich. "Even if yours doesn't win, it's really rewarding to have people watch it."

Only the top three films are actually shown, but there is still reason to enter your film. All of the films, which are judged by a panel of experts, are entered into the open section and will be competing to win the top prize.

Movie lovers have two fantastic options. They can either create a movie of their own, with a running time of three to five minutes, and submit to the film festival by June 6 in Fung's mailbox. Or, they can just sit back and enjoy the show. The Genesis Film Festival begins June 13 at 6 p.m.

Contact Daniel Hanower at dhanower@scu.edu.