SCC Film Festival to showcase best, brightest

Having their film shown on the big screen is the dream of aspiring filmmakers. Through the annual SCC Film Festival, students are given the opportunity to make this dream a reality.

Every May, the SCC film school puts together a film festival where students can submit their films from the past school year and compete against one another for a chance to have their work shown in front of their friends and family on a movie theater screen.

"It's pretty cool that we have our own festival," says film production student J.J. Bukowski. "It's nice to see each other's work in this kind of setting."

Bukowski plans to submit a film for consideration, but he won't be alone. According to Anna Thorlaksdottir, film professor and the organizer of the event since 2000, usually 100 to 150 films are submitted each year.

To narrow down the field to where the films can be shown in a two-hour showing, a five-member group of industry professionals watch every submission and determine the best ones.

"It's a fierce competition," says Thorlaksdottir, "and then we get together and celebrate."

Dr. Penelope Price, a longtime SCC film instructor who organizes the festival along with Thorlaksdottir, recalls the festival's early years when the competition wasn't nearly as intense. "We just wanted to show all of the films everyone made. There weren't as many students as there are now, but the festival would go on for four hours. So that was difficult."

This year marks the 29th showing of the festival. In addition to competing to get their film shown, students will be vying for first place in over 20 categories. Runners-up will also be acknowledged.

The biggest prizes of the night come in the form of the two best film awards: one selected by the judges and the other by the festival audience.

In addition, students will compete for the best screenplay, which doesn't require an accompanying film. Also the Trish Gauthler Memorial Scholarship recipient will be announced, which is awarded to one student every fall and spring semester.

"It'll be a fun experience," says Katie Walker, a film production student who is submitting multiple entries. "It'll be neat to see other people's work. I've convinced some of my classmates to enter as well."

Submissions for the festival are accepted from April 20 to May 1. This year's SCC Film Festival will be held on May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Harkins Fashion Square Theatre inside Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Tickets are $5 and those attending are advised to come early since the event sells out each year.

"It's an awesome opportunity," says film production student Dani Lyman, who entered the festival last year and plans to do so again. "Not only is it a way to be inspired by each other's work, but it's a lot of fun.