End-of-semester film festival at SMC

Hollywood has been the center of cinema for decades. People from all over the globe come to Los Angeles to pursue careers in the film industry, and Santa Monica College students are no exception. The SMC Student Filmmakers Association, formerly known as the Cinema Club, has existed for several decades, according to Josh Kanin, the club’s faculty adviser since 1998.

“The film club is great for networking with people who are interested in filmmaking,” said club president Angelo Chavez. “I’ve met a lot of my current and likely future collaborators in the club.”

According to the club's fact sheet, the association serves as a collaboration of students with different levels of experience who have an interest in making short films. A screening of the students’ films is held at the end of every semester.

This semester’s screening will take place on Friday, June 1, in room 165 of the Humanities and Social Sciences building. The event starts at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The films, which are financed by the filmmakers on shoestring budgets, are produced in various formats including narrative films, documentaries, animated and experimental films, music videos and public service announcements.

Because most of the members have different levels of experience, they mostly learn as they go and often work in teams to help each other out, according to Kanin.

“We don’t expect masterpieces," said Chavez. "We’re all learning, and we encourage members to be proactive about their film ideas, regardless of limited sources.”

According to Kanin, most members dream of careers in the film industry, so the club invites industry professionals each semester to speak with students about their work and view excerpts from their films. Previous guest speakers include Nancy Forner, a film editor who worked on various episodes of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

“Like other members, I plan to continue writing and directing films,” said Chavez. “I know we will help each other along the way.”