The second annual Montecito Student Film Festival has gone global with student filmmakers from 65 countries having submitted more than 500 films. Those attending the free event can watch films throughout the day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Westmont’s Porter Theatre.
Festival producer Tamia Sanders (’24) said last year’s event served as a trial run for organizers to settle in and gain momentum.
“We got the opportunity to put something together for the first time at Westmont,” Sanders said. “This year’s growth results from a team of people with a clear vision of what we’re doing and the ambition to get it done.”
Filmmaking has always been popular among students, including the global student community that desires to tell stories, said festival director Wendy Eley Jackson, who was a catalyst for the film studies minor the college launched in 2019.
“Through the advent of social media and technology, people tell stories every day,” she said. “We’re now providing a platform for them here at the Montecito Student Film Festival to display what they’ve crafted.”
Jackson and her team, including Jonathan Hicks (’04), festival executive producer, have been reviewing all the films and said they feel excited about what they’re watching.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s film festival does for students who are honing their skills and crafts and getting introductions to people willing to provide knowledge and experience in an industry they’re venturing into,” Hicks said.
The Director’s Roundtable guest speaker is Michael Swanson, senior vice president of NBC/Peacock Production. Producer’s Roundtable guest speaker is Cheryl Bayer, president of Living Pop Ups Media, and former head of ABC Network Programming and FOX Programming. Screenwriters Roundtable guest speaker is Holly Sorensen, showrunner and writer for “Step Up High Water” (Starz Network), “Make it Or Break It” (ABC Network), and “Recovery Road” (ABC Network).
This year judges will present six prizes, including Audience Award, Critics Choice Award, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Screenplay and Best International Film.
Tamia Sanders won the 2023 Wendey Eley Jackson Award for Best Documentary