Student film club hosts festival

The Santa Monica College Student Film Festival occurs twice a year, wrapping up eachsemester with a wide variety of short films in different genres that are made entirely by students from the Film Club.

This year, submissions are open to all SMC students. In the past, the festival has presented narrative films, documentaries, animated films, music videos and public service announcements.

Student director Jonathan Spencer, Filmmaker’s Association president Miguel Corona and the club’s vice president Caroline Cerrelli will select the films that will be screened to the audience. Spencer said he expects to have enough submissions to have a show that lasts up to two hours. Corona is hopeful that the 2012 festival will go off without a hitch.

“Everything that went right this semester went perfect. People are motivated and that was the biggest challenge; to get them motivated,” he said.

This year, Spencer, along with Cerrelli, will host the festival. For the first time in at least two years, audience choice awards such as Best Film, Best Writing, and Best Cinematography will be presented.

“I think it is a great addition to the festival as it will get the audience actively involved with the voting process,” said Bridget Tang, treasurer of the film club.

According to Josh Kanin, faculty advisor to the Film Club since 1998, students have an opportunity to use their productions to showcase their talents as filmmakers through the club. “It provides a wonderful opportunity for its members to become familiar with the complete filmmaking process in a relaxed, fun, and informal setting, and to express themselves with film,” Kanin said.

The club will offer free admission, free pizza and free soda and root beer to students attending the film festival.

The 2012 Student Film Festival will be held in HSS 165 on Friday, December 7, 2012 from 7p.m. to 10p.m on the main campus.