Several Lee University students and alumni have had their short films accepted in film festivals.
“Festival acceptances are a great source of validation and encourage artists and storytellers to keep creating,” said Matthew Fisher, associate professor of communication at Lee. “I’m so glad our Lee filmmakers are getting their work out there and receiving recognition.”
“01-Active,” directed by Danny Bowles and written by Harrison Gay, was accepted to BAM!, Colony Short Film, and Houston WorldFest Film Festivals. This short film explores the idea of trust through Gwen, a lonesome survivor in a world where the air has become noxious, as she attempts to discern if the man on the other side of a locked door is her partner or an imposter.
Mr. Bowles and Mr. Gay graduated in May 2018 as digital media studies majors with emphases in cinema.
"I am honored that the film was accepted to be screened at these festivals,” said Mr. Gay. “A lot of people worked hard on this project, and I am happy festivals like these exist to celebrate people coming together to make something.”
“Cacti and Other Succulents,” written by Emma Moore, was accepted to the BAM! and Colony Short Film Festivals. This film won the Audience Choice and Faculty Choice awards at the LeeU Film Festival last year and has since been screened at multiple festivals. Ms. Moore’s film is about a young man caring for his grandmother’s aloe vera plant in the wake of her death.
Ms. Moore is a senior digital media studies major with an emphasis in cinema. She has been accepted to Columbia College’s master’s in directing program but is continuing to interview with other institutions across the country.
“It’s always such an exciting honor to be accepted to festivals,” said Ms. Moore. “I’m very proud of the efforts of the entire team who worked to complete the film and grateful for the opportunity to show the product of that hard work to new audiences.”
“One Steamy Night,” produced by Lee alumna Kayla Harris, has been accepted to the Colony Short Film Festival. In this comedic short film, a young woman has a terrible first date. To console her, the woman’s mother tells her of an awful first date that ended well in the long run.
Ms. Harris is currently working toward her master’s in directing from Columbia College in Chicago.
“As the producer, I have seen the hard work from cast and crew that has gone into making this short film,” said Ms. Harris. “Having ‘One Steamy Night’ accepted into festivals gives me the confidence to continue to hone my craft as a filmmaker in order to continue to create films that inspire me."
For more information on digital media studies at Lee, visit http://leeuniversity.edu/academics/arts-sciences/communication-arts/programs.aspx.