November festival to showcase student films

By Gina Valenzuela

Posted on Thursday, October 4th, 2001, 12:00 am

By Gina Valenzuela

Staff Writer

Posters have been popping up around campus publicizing a film festival. While it may not be the Cannes or Sundance, it might be the artistic outlet where students can make their directorial debut.

An on-campus film festival is being organized by Paul Ezzy, a psychology and education major here at the University of Maine.

While it may sound odd he is not a communications or theater major, Ezzy emphasizes the fact that film is for everyone.

Ezzy makes short films himself and hoped to share them with an audience – thus, the film festival idea began to blossom. Since UMaine has no annual festivity which allows short filmmakers to come together and view each others work, Ezzy took it into his own hands to create a special event for that purpose.

The festival has no set criteria and all genres are welcome. However, because this is a “short” film festival, Ezzy is asking that no submissions be longer than an hour, with 15 to 20 minutes being the optimum range.

“There is no such thing as too short,” Ezzy said.

All media of film is accepted: VHS, -C, video, digital or CD’s. For those who wish to participate but do not have a camera, Larry Corbett at Fogler Library’s Media Resource Center may be of assistance. Aspiring short filmmakers can check out a digital camcorder, but act fast before they are all loaned out.

This will be a night where film writers share their work with their peers and enjoy the work of others. The event will also be a learning experience and after the film showing, people are encouraged to talk about the films and give feedback.

Ezzy is working on a Batman satire, which is somewhat serious. Being very close-lipped on the subject, Ezzy only revealed that the plot involved Batman coming to Orono to stop his nemesis, the Joker. Further details will be released at the film festival!

The festival will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, in room 100 of Donald P. Corbett Hall. All university members, students and staff are welcome to submit their work or come and view the night of film. Short films are due by Nov. 1. For information, call Paul Ezzy at 581-8654 or e-mail him on FirstClass.