Thursday, February 19, 2009
Nancy Hoch knows what it’s like to help with the largest film festival in Latin America. She knows about the different genres of films and the post-production process.
But most importantly, she knows how difficult it is for young filmmakers to get their work recognized in the industry, which is why she decided to help organize the University of Kansas’ first International Film Festival.
“I want to do something for my generation of film students,” Hoch, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, senior, said.
The festival is a combined effort among Hoch, Student Union Activities and Kansas Memorial Unions.
Hoch’s family owns the Expresión en Corto international film festival, Latin America’s largest film festival, and she decided to bring some of the award-winning films to the University’s festival this weekend.
To coincide with the festival, SUA organized a student film competition. Before the international films are screened, the third, second and first place winners will be announced and shown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
KU’s First International Film Festival What: A three-day film festival featuring short films by KU students and films from the Expresión en Corto international film festival. When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday Where: Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union How much: Free and open to the public The three themes for the festival are: Friday — “The Best of Expresión en Corto from 2007-08” Saturday — “The Best of Mexican Shorts Over the 10 Years of Expresión en Corto” Sunday — “The Best International Films in Expresión en Corto”
What films inspired you to be a filmmaker? Some of the KU students who entered SUA’s film competition talk about what motivated them to make films. “The first live action movie that I ever saw was ‘Dick Tracy.’ It combined comic books and reality and made me want to make movies. It was the first time I saw movies and was excited about what I was seeing.” -Micah Brown, Kearney, Neb., senior and film major “My dad was very interested in films and he does video work. He would often get me to see a film a different way. He made me want to make films, and looking through his eyes I could see why it was cool. Movies like ‘Apocalypse Now,’ The Matrix’ or ‘The Fountain’ I could appreciate because of growing up under him. His interests sparked my interests.” -Kitley Jewell, Lawrence senior and film major “I love to watch a film that has a love story that is uncommon or not typical. Movies like, ‘Me and You and Everyone We Know,’ ‘Punch-Drunk Love’ and ‘The Science of Sleep.’ Movies that tell a love story in a new way, that sometimes make the audience not sure if the hero wins. Most of these movies have a weird way of making you feel hopeful for the characters, but at the same time makes you question the traditional concept of a love story. What can I say, I’m a sucker for them.” -Grant Babbitt, Lenexa junior and film production major
“I was really amazed by the caliber of the films the student competition brought out,” Joe Day, Derby junior and SUA’s film coordinator, said. “It’s a great showcase for our film department.”
The Expresión en Corto films that will be shown at the festival have all won awards, Hoch said. Each night will feature about an hour and a half of short films ranging from animation to experimental to documentary.
“The good thing about shorts is that if you don’t like one, another one starts in five minutes,” Hoch said.
Hoch’s mother, Sarah, began Expresión en Corto, meaning “in short expression,” 11 years ago as a festival for international, short and documentary films. Since then, Hoch said, it has continued to grow in size and now has submissions from more than 70 countries each year.
Hoch said the festival attracted more than 80,000 people each year and took place in Mexico during the last week of July.
Hoch is a fifth generation KU student, and with her family’s ties to the University, she decided to bring part of the festival here. Her family paid to have the films shipped here for the festival and some of them will attend this weekend.
“We’re all used to working as a family unit, and it was natural to continue that way,” Hoch said.
The planning for the festival began in October, when David Mucci, director of Kansas Memorial Unions, approached Hoch and Day about the idea for a film festival at the University.
Day said SUA sent out a call for film entries from KU students and received seven submissions earlier this month. Day said the KU films were less than 15 minutes long.
Day said the students who won first place would be able to submit their film to this year’s Expresión en Corto without paying the application fee. The Expresión en Corto festival’s jury would then decide whether the film would be screened in Mexico. Day said second and third place winners would get prizes from Apple Inc.
Grant Babbitt, Lenexa junior and film production major, entered three films in the competition. He said he loved to make films and wanted to submit his own to a local festival.
“My niche, whether it’s in front of or behind the camera, is I love to entertain people,” Babbitt said.
Following each night’s screenings, Day said a reception with hors d’oeuvres would promote discussion of the films and increase the cultural awareness of the program.
“It’s a good festival atmosphere that we’re trying to present,” Day said. “It’s not just come and watch a movie and leave. It’s come, watch a movie, discuss it, hang out and maybe watch another one.”
Hoch said she hoped the festival would give people a chance to enjoy international films as well as appreciate the work of local filmmakers. “We do have future filmmakers at KU, and we want to see their material while they are in college,” Hoch said.
— — Edited by Heather Melanson
SUA to announce third place short film ...
This week, three winners of SUA’s student short film competition will walk ...
SUA is calling all student filmmakers
It is accepting short films and playing host to the 2nd annual ...
Club turns students into filmmakers
KU Filmworks gives students the opportunity to act in and make films ...
Get some culture: International Film Festival
it's not all about fast food and beer pong.
Winfield senior takes home first in SUA's ...
Student Union Activities hosted the third annual International Film Festival this weekend ...
Cannes winner draws crowd for campus show
Around 60 people attended a campus screening of Jon O'Neal's independent film ...
Student to compete in film competition
Senior Joe Carey will be participating in the 7th Annual One Night ...
Film Fest competition highlights horror films
The Wild West Film Fest Scare Factor competition gave filmmakers a 48-hour ...
Movie Magic
How KU Filmworks is helping young filmmakers reach their dreams.
Student films featured at fourth annual University ...
The International Film and Food Festival also served international food and showed ...
Dog documentary fetches awards
Film, produced by KU student and two graduates, explores recession’s effects on ...
Film professor returns from Sundance
Wilmott and crew for “The Only Good Indian” turn focus to promotion, ...
Filmmaker returns for annual rally
Students, alumnus will have the opportunity to present work at film rally.
Student film hits international scene
Sandra Ristovska created a film about how globalization and modernization have affected ...
Film student takes third place in competition
Joe Carey placed third in the One Night Stand Film Festival in ...
Phelps documentary makes waves
Morgan Spurlock, director of "Super Size Me," was interested in KU student ...
Get Involved: The International Film & Food ...
Because lectures are boring.
Lawrence through the lens
The growth of the Kansas film scene
Creating a scene
More graduates of the University’s film program are staying in Lawrence, creating ...
Professor’s film will show at festival
Students helped Matt Jacobson create “The Only Good Indian.”
Filmmaker shoots new movie in Lawrence
Blake Robbins chose Lawrence for the setting of his newest feature film, ...
Locally directed film to premiere at Liberty ...
Associate professor of film and media studies Kevin Willmott tackles forced assimilations ...
Who’s Who at KU: Kevin Willmott
Film and Media studies professor also works as a film director.
SUA will cut costs, maximize quality of ...
SUA hopes to save money by attracting more students to fewer events.
Making Movies On NO Budget
Young filmmakers use limited resources to creatively overcome constant obstacles.
Career Center produces ‘Jayhawking’ video
Video modeled on ‘Tonight Show’ segment will highlight men’s basketball pre-game show.
Filmmaker remembers historic raid
Nearly 150 years ago, William C. Quantrill led an attack on Lawrence ...
SUA shows Iraqi documentary, hosts panel
Students can see film about Fallujah and discuss with veterans and experts.
'The House of Horrors'
In the days before Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks played in less-than-ideal conditions.
Students, residents gather to view “The Day ...
Actor, director and producer answer questions about 25-year-old film, “The Day After”.
Camp classic brings eccentricity to audience’s experience
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” remains beloved three decades after its initial ...
Get some culture: 'Good Dick'
It’s not all about fast food and beer pong.
Schumaker: How to catch the Academy's eye
Four sure-fire ways to get the Oscar nod.
Party pays tribute to Harry Potter
SUA hosted a Harry Potter-themed party on Friday, complete with butterbeer floats ...
Phelps documentary premieres nationally
A documentary about Fred Phelps and his family, filmed by KU alumnus ...
Liberty Hall festival includes students’ diverse-subject films
Symphony Orchestra plays overseas to save festival
Music students intervened in a failing German festival.
From film to folklore, awards help students ...
Undergraduate research awards, ranging from $750 to $2,000, went to student projects ...
Student to release feature film
KU student Jeremy Riggs is producing and directing his feature film, based ...
Cinematic achievement
Recording your own movie may sound intimidating but using resources such as ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID