July 22, 2015

Annual Student Film Festival Shows Local, International Work

Page 1 AA little over 12 years ago, Princeton Public Library’s Youth Services librarian Susan Conlon was approached by a Princeton High School student about hosting a series showing the first efforts of famous film directors. That effort morphed into a festival featuring the works of aspiring filmmakers from the local area, which has since been transformed into an annual event that draws entries from all over the world.

“There were almost 200 original films submitted this year,” said Youth Services Librarian Martha Liu, of the festival taking place Wednesday and Thursday, July 22 and 23, at 7 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. “We have films from Spain, Iran, Ireland, and the Philippines, along with quite a few from New Jersey including one by Princeton High School student Talia Zinder. It has definitely become a big event that many people look forward to.”

Anyone between the ages of 14 and 25 can submit entries to The Princeton Student Film and Video Festival, as long as the films are under 20 minutes (with an occasional exception — one of this year’s films is 22 minutes). A committee of nine screens the entries, in a broad range of styles and themes.

“We always do a mix of genres,” Ms. Liu said, “including drama, comedy, animation, documentary, experimental, and personal narrative. This year we are particularly strong in animation and documentary. But we had a hard time choosing because there were so many good entries.”

Ms. Conlon said the emphasis on local filmmakers continues, “but we include films from all over because youth benefit from sharing broad perspectives as well as recognizing universal ideas. The films are inspired, imaginative, and reflect the filmmakers’ seriousness about developing their visual and technical craft and the art of good storytelling.”

The festival is intended for teen and adult viewers — some of the films include violence. Twelve are shown at each program, followed by conversations with some of the filmmakers — about nine each night. Those who cannot attend, mostly from abroad, submit their comments, which are read at the screenings.

Along with Ms. Zinder of Princeton, high school students participating in the festival come from Piscataway, Trenton, Scotch Plains, Highland Park, and Medford. College students are from SUNY Purchase, Rutgers, University of the Arts, Raritan Valley Community College, and Columbia University. In addition to Spain, Iran, Ireland, and the Philippines, there is an entry from Slovakia.

Topics cover a wide range. “There is a personal narrative drama about a family going back to the Jersey shore after losing their home to Hurricane Sandy,” Ms. Liu said. “One is about the economic crisis in Spain, another is a commentary on relationships through social media. The longest one, The Presenter, is by a New Jersey high school student. It’s a kind of sci-fi, dystopian future that will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games. So there is quite a variety.”

At the ripe old age of 12, the festival has become a much-anticipated event. “I’ve been working here 10 years, and I always say this is one of my favorite programs that we do,” said Ms. Liu. “Just the vibe — having everybody come together and watch the films, and ask questions of the filmmakers, is pretty special. You just can’t get that watching a film online. You’re in a room with all of that energy. The filmmakers come, they bring their family and friends. And people in the community who know it come back every year.”