Campus Movie Fest: A Goldmine for Future Filmmakers

For most of us the movies are a part of our lives. We watch them, we talk about them, we love them, but how many of us have dreamed of making our own?

If you’re like me then that thought has crossed your mind more than once. I see films and I think, “Hey, I could think of something like that,” or, “If I had the chance I could write something to make people die laughing.”

Well that day is coming.

The Campus Movie Fest is going to be coming to UCF February 17th , with kick off starting at noon in the Student Union courtyard. The CMF is the worlds largest student film festival and was created with the purpose of giving students a way of realizing their goals and trying their hand at being a director. It was originally created by four Emory University students in 2000 but has since spread to schools across the nation.

The festival’s success lies in the way it deals with one of the main problems facing would-be filmmakers: equipment. CMF provides teams of students with an HD video camera, an apple laptop for editing, as well as the training needed to utilize them. All for free to any student at a participating university.

Films must be under five minutes and stay within the terms of use set forth by the competition but by and large teams can make whatever vision they have a reality. Steven Pfleegor, a UCF student participation in the event had this to say, “I’m really excited to be part of the festival. When I first found out about it I was a little skeptical but I looked into it and found out that it really is what it claims. I think it will be an amazing time and I’m hoping the film I make will live up to the idea I have in my head. I can’t wait to work my magic.”

Films will be entered to win in the categories of Best Drama, Best Comedy, and Best Picture. The top films from all categories will be showcased in a red carpet event in front of crowds of students. Winning teams will move on to regionals and nationals being eligible to win thousands of dollars worth in prizes and the chance to be seen by people all over the country. Everything entered will be put up on line for friends and families to see as well. Now only those entered on the website as part of the team may work on the editing phase but anyone is welcome to appear in your movie.

Not only is this a tremendous opportunity for the next Spielberg but promising actors can show off their talent in front of the camera too.

“I’m curious to creatively experiment with acting on camera. I’ll enjoy the opportunity to view the day’s film making in order to improve and perfect the desired message and effect.” said Zach Gossett, another student participating in the CMF. Many of us talk about how films out today are sub par and that given the chance they would be able to make something with a lot more potential.

Well this is your chance and now is your time. Got an idea for a real sweet story that will make the judges tear up? Maybe you are more into slapstick humor that will have them falling out of their chairs laughing. Either way February 17th is fast approaching so get a move on and sign up at www.CampusMovieFest.com or you might be sitting there watching the next Internet hit thinking, “I could have done that!”