The Department of Media and Communication at Lander University cordially invites filmmakers from across the region to participate in the annual Short Film Competition - part of the 15th annual Lander Film Festival. The competition will begin with a kickoff workshop for entrants, scheduled for Thursday, February 27, at 4:30 p.m. on Lander’s campus. Those interested in entering the competition are encouraged to sign up by visiting www.landerfilmfestival.com.
“We are excited to once again welcome filmmakers of any skill level to join us, whether for their first time or for the 15th time,” said Dr. Robert Stevenson, chair of the Lander Film Festival and professor at Lander. “Our festival continues to be an excellent learning opportunity for our Lander students, as well as our greater community.”
Past contestants have noted that the competition is just as challenging as it is rewarding. Filmmakers have a mere ten days to produce, edit and submit a five-minute short film. At the kickoff workshop on February 27, entrants will receive a line of dialogue that must be incorporated into their film.
“The required line of dialogue is a unique component of the Lander Film Festival,” said Stevenson. “Our filmmakers have to think outside the box, and in many cases completely re-work ideas they may have been considering.”
Filmmakers will compete across three divisions: High School, College and Open. The registration fee is $20 for the College and High School Division, and $25 for the Open Division. This can be paid through the day of the kickoff workshop.
Selected films will be shown on Saturday, March 22, at the Lander Film Festival’s short film screening and awards ceremony. Cash prizes and trophies will be given to the first, second and third place winners in each division. Filmmakers interested in participating can visit the official Lander Film Festival website for detailed guidelines and to sign up: www.landerfilmfestival.com.
Support for the 15th Annual Lander University Film Festival comes from a grant from South Carolina Humanities. For more information, please visit www.schumanities.org.