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In the fall semester of 2001, Paul Ezzy hosted his first student film festival. If a single word could describe Ezzy at that moment, it would be “nervous.” Would anyone show up to the festival? Would the festival be reviewed favorably? Would there be enough submissions? Would people complain if he displayed too much of his own work?
Ezzy’s nerves were soon relaxed. More than just friends of the filmmakers attended, the festival received positive reviews and he had received enough submissions to keep the festival from becoming his personal showcase. And as added vindication, the audience applauded and laughed at his 45-minute parody “Batman … Again.” In Ezzy’s opinion, the festival was a success.
He has followed the first festival up with another each semester and is currently planning his fourth for this spring.
Ezzy decided to create the Student Film Festival late in the summer of 2001 as part of a lifelong ambition to work in film. Ezzy had grown jaded about mainstream movie corporations, and his interest in working in Hollywood had faded. However, he retained his desire to create.
“Now, being a little wiser about the film industry, I’m content to be in the independent movie racket,” he said. “But perhaps someday I’ll still make that move to California.”
Over the years, Ezzy has made many film shorts. They have been mainly sketches and almost exclusively comedic. He has used whatever friends he had around to help out, and many times he performed the shorts by himself. After making some sketches on campus, he realized he wanted to show his work to an audience. The thought that there might be others like him on campus soon followed.
Each festival Ezzy’s nerves still get frayed with two large problems: receiving submissions on time and getting enough submissions to balance his own work.
“I’m relatively helpless until I have other people’s films in my hands,” Ezzy said. “I could’ve just shown my own films, but I’m worried about backlash if I ever did that. I’m always hoping I get at least 45 minutes of films other than my own.”
The fourth Student Film Festival will be held Thursday, May 1 in room 100 in the Donald P. Corbett building at 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in making a film for the festival or have one already completed, contact Paul Ezzy on FirstClass or at 1-6928 before March 30. Completed films must be submitted to him by April 27.
Bangor Daily News