The Cinema and Media Arts department at Vanderbilt hosted the inaugural Point of VU Student Film Festival on Feb. 15. The festival united schools across Middle Tennessee in the celebration of art and filmmaking, embracing Nashville’s “Athens of the South”, a center of learning and culture as it encouraged networking between student creatives. POVU is the six-month creation between Vanderbilt students and professors in the CMA department. What began as a simple Festival Management class blossomed into a fruitful festival that provided students a platform for their work.
Sophomore Cauã Rodrigues described the effort required to create both an entertaining event and a valuable networking opportunity.
“We received more than six hours of short films from eight universities, which allowed us to program two film blocks of student films with high production value,” Rodrigues said.
In block one, the following films were shown:
“Echoes of Eternity,” dir. Logan Reece Greene
This film really set the tone for the first block: melancholic, gritty and artistic. The eerie premise of a man being haunted by a past decision hooks you into the world of “Echoes of Eternity.” The editing and cinematography are experimental and match the intensity of the character’s distress.
“Kill the Uncomfortable,” dir. Tuvshinsaikhan Ganbayar and Logan Desaye
I was immediately hooked by the film and the concept of a woman being reanimated after being murdered. Shot on 35mm and sporting a neon color scheme reminiscent of “Blade Runner: 2099,” the acting in the film supports its foundation, despite there being little dialogue. The film was shot in Czech during the director’s time abroad in Prague. All of these unique qualities allowed the movie to deliver a thrilling ending that leaves you with goosebumps.
“The BLACKPrint,” dir. Tariah Lane
Although labeled a documentary, “The BLACKprint” functions more as a video essay. It remains educational through its portrayal of how the media has been used to villainize Black people.
“Night Crawling,” dir. Austin Peay State University Animation + Visual Effects
This was the first animated project shown, and I adored the simple, heartwarming story behind it of a small creature trying to find his way home. The 2D art style is creative in crafting a spooky feeling that fits into a Halloween-esque vibe while catering to a wide range of people. It received an honorable mention for the Cinemad’ore’s “Alternative” category.
“The World’s Largest Raccoon Hunt,” dir. Davis Farlow
This documentary’s title creates a lot of questions, and the film answers them greatly. It highlighted a very unconventional charity and the impact it has on the local community. Providing insight into the past, present and future of the charity, this documentary dedicates itself to the effort of its contributors.
“Late Night with Mint,” dir. Wesley Clubb
A hilarious watch, “Late Night with Mint” featured a late-night show host that had me laughing until the final moments. Clubb balances the jarring themes of comedy and the uneasy ending, providing a stress-inducing finish to the film.
“Longing For the Unfound,” dir. Chastity Yocum
“Longing For the Unfound” is a disorienting watch that creates more questions than answers. It is intentionally confusing, challenging viewers to piece together the main character’s problems with their girlfriend. I found it difficult to digest, but I do have to applaud the visuals and the sets used to create this lonely, gothic film.
“Concinnity,” dir. Katherine Wise
This had such a melancholic storyline and beautiful shots of a woman navigating her grief. The film plays with the editing and music to really encompass the complex feelings of heartache, which Wise said was a universal feeling that she wanted to evoke. It was absolutely gorgeous, with a phenomenal cast to support the plot.
“Cupid,” dir. Augustus Bottcher and Ford Cowan
This was one of my favorite films to come out of the festival, as every element was crafted to form a fluid and hypnotic piece of media that tells the story of Loverboy and his journey with love. Bottcher and Cowan’s direction of the film takes you through the elaborately crafted set design whilst balancing the light-hearted themes of seeking love, as well as the somber tones that are seen later in the film. It received an honorable mention for the Cinemad’ore’s “Fiction” category.
“Synergy,” dir. Laura Gayre
Gayre approaches this film with a gentle simplicity that crafts a portrait of healing a strained friendship on the backdrop of Greek Row. The short duration and acting stifles what has the potential to be a good script. Had it been longer and explored the character’s depth, I would’ve been able to appreciate it more.
“Edgehill,” dir. Anna Friedland
This was my favorite documentary to come out of the festival, simply because of the nature and the way it was shot. It humanizes the members of “Edgehill”, showing that they’re just boys making music and following their passions, not the artists that have almost 54,000 followers on Spotify. Friedland creates an endearing film about friends that not only highlights their talent but also their journey in the music industry. It received an honorable mention for Cinemad’ore’s “Nonfiction” category.
“Don’t Look Back,” dir. Heidi Thomas
A silent film, “Don’t Look Back” relies on its visuals and actors’ performances to deliver the essence of uncertainty. Shot in black and white, the film employs immersive techniques to place the audience in the lead’s shoes, allowing them to experience her paranoia of being followed around.
“Sword and Shadow,” dir. Tanner Quinn Lockhart
This movie blew my mind so much that I almost forgot this was a student-budgeted film. Straight off the bat, the cinematography draws you into a medieval Arthurian setting as the main character interacts with the main antagonist, the hunter. The sword choreography stuns, as well as the practical effects, which are a sensational feat for a short film. It received an honorable mention in the Cinemad’ore for “Audience Choice.”
In block two, the following films were shown:
“Baking and Entering,” dir. Lance Harbour, Cole Keisling, Andrew Lacy, Zach Legaux and Brooklynne
This animated short incorporates a 3D style, and it’s funny premise of paying bear customers in the forest had me full-belly laughing.
“Don’t Screw This Up,” dir. Nathan Evans
In “Don’t Screw This Up,” Evans explores the psyche of a screenwriter who is clearly hurting and the conflicts it creates in the filmmaking process –– a story that is all too relatable to many writers. I appreciate how it brings light to the difficulties of filmmaking, which I believe is a rarely-discussed topic.
“Overgrown,” dir. Dexter Felipe Hamlin Bartolomeu
“Overgrown” is an eerie, bewildering film that incorporates many experimental features. The creative choices are very Lynchian: ominous, macabre and heightened by the score and visual effects.
“What She Wants,” dir. Rebecca Klane
Despite having a run time of under three minutes and being shot on 16mm, Klane manages to deliver a poignant film on love and grief about a young woman struggling to maintain the relationships between her brother and ill mother.
“Lost in Translation,” dir. Cauã Rodrigues
Rodrigues creates a vulnerable, sensitive film that really connects to the heart of the struggles that most international students, including myself, feel. I didn’t know what “Saudade” was, but the director’s efforts in his creation really resonated with me, and I was able to understand that longing for home that affects everyone at least once.
“Threads of Strength: An Anthology,” dir. Isaac Wetzel
Wetzel directs viewers to examine personal lives affected by the tumultuous climates of their home countries. By focusing on the immigrant family experience, he challenges assumptions about Afghanistan and Venezuela, urging us to sympathize with the struggles of immigrants from those nations.
“Goblin,” dir. Haneol Lee
“Goblin” is a cheeky film that plays with photos to amplify its message. Learning about Korean folklore through the outlet of this film and Lee’s efforts to imitate the trickery of the “Goblin” through artful editing strengthens the film’s appeal.
Cinemad’ore awards were presented for the categories of “Nonfiction,” “Alternative,” “Fiction” and “Audience Choice.” The following films took first place in each respective category.
The Cinemad’ore for Nonfiction – “Free Play,” dir. Alex Astrella
“Free Play” effectively explores the journey toward inclusivity at Tennessee’s largest all-inclusive playground. The film highlights intimate character portraits that place families with disabled children at the forefront, offering them a vulnerable space to express their difficulties with a system that discriminates against them.
The Cinemad’ore for Alternative – “October 23, 2022,” dir. Xinpeng Huang
Huang’s minimalistic film incorporates her Chinese mother tongue with a meaningful monologue that is educational and heartfelt. It’s rooted in the culture of her home, but the shots of Nashville used throughout juxtapose one another, intensifying the feelings of longing to go back home.
The Cinemad’ore for Fiction – “Muse,” dir. Connor Rapp
This well-crafted film deftly balances a comedic lightness with a heavy, dramatic tone that draws viewers into its plot. Rapp experiments with visuals and editing, lending some scenes a surrealist quality, while the script enables both leads to fully develop their characters’ arcs by the film’s end.
The Cinemad’ore for Audience Choice – “The Legend of Bill,” dir. Jacob Birmingham
The festival ended with a bang and my personal favorite winner –– “The Legend of Bill.”
Fully entertaining throughout, the mix of 2D and 3D animation is seamless and elevates the story, a tussle between our hero Bill and his opponent Willy. Who knew an animated short between a duck and a fox could be so tense and have you at the edge of your seat?
The future of the POVU Student Film Festival looks bright as it has highlighted so many emerging filmmakers, providing them an opportunity to place their art in front of an audience. There’s hope that the festival will continue next year and further amplify the voices of student filmmakers in Middle Tennessee.
