In the film “Shadow of the Vampire,” John Malkovich’s character says “We are scientists engaged in the creation of memory but our memory will neither blur nor fade.”

Malkovich is talking about the filmmaking process and how films leave a lasting impression on its audience.

Film festivals, such as the Phoenix Film Festival, celebrate this ideal of creating and resonating with their audience.

“I’m a filmmaker myself and went to school at ASU when there wasn’t film program,” Chris LaMont, an ASU faculty member in the School of Theatre and Film as well as the co-founder and executive director of the Phoenix Film Festival, says. “I made movies and there wasn’t a place to show films that aren’t big Hollywood filmmakers. That’s what film festivals are all about. Sundance, Tribeca and every other big city in the world has a film festival and one day I thought that the filmmakers and film lovers here in Phoenix deserve a world-class festival too.”

The Phoenix Film Festival will be celebrating its 9th year this April.

“Our first year we prayed 500 [people] would show up — and we got 3,000. Thanks to a great amount of support from volunteers and corporate partners, we’ve grown every year. Last year we had over 23,000 attendees over the eight days of screenings. It’s pretty amazing to hang out with all these cool film people for a whole week,” LaMont says.

The Phoenix Film Festival has had a long list of celebrities in attendance at past festivals and many more lined up this April.

“We’ve had some great actors, writers and directors come out [like] Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Peter Fonda. This year we have Morgan Spurlock who did “Super Size Me,” Oscar-nominee Virginia Madsen from “Sideways,” Jonathan Schaech from “That Thing You Do” and Amy Smart from “Road Trip” and “Butterfly Effect,” LaMont says.

The Phoenix Film Festival not only celebrates the filmmakers, writer and actors who are already in the industry but also promotes student films as well and even gives out an award for Best College Short Film.

“A wide variety of short films come in from students. We receive narratives, documentaries and animated films. Students submit their work through our website and we accept films from August through December,” Jason Carney, Executive Director of the Phoenix Film Festival says.

“We have had a ton of ASU students involved in showing films [who] intern and volunteer at the festival. The festival wouldn’t be a success without all the great support from ASU and the student population,” LaMont says.

Since the beginning of the festival, about 75 films have been from ASU students and this year there are 10 films from ASU students, Carney says.

“Having a short film in a festival is a thrilling experience for a new filmmaker,” Joe Russo, a recent ASU graduate with two films in the festival says. “Seeing your story on the big screen is one thing, but the real treat is being able to observe an audience enjoying your hard work. Watching them laugh, cry, jump and cheer at all the right moments is an incredibly rewarding experience.”

The festival has helped out many students get a head start in the film business through a variety of ways.

“We sponsor the Arizona Student Film Festival in January, we have a college shorts program and even an ASU/UAT (University of Advancing Technology) College Showcase,” LaMont says. “Students are making films and we show them on the big screen with a real paying audience. We also have free seminars all weekend long. It’s a great opportunity for students to meet people who are actually working in the film business. A number of ASU students have gotten jobs in the film and TV industry by attending and meeting people in the Phoenix Film Festival.”

“The purpose of a short film is to make a calling card. The hope is that this calling card will then help young filmmakers make the jump to bigger and better projects,” Russo says. “A film festival allows aspiring producers, writers and directors the opportunity to showcase their work to a mass audience, and you never know who might be sitting in a darkened theater.” For example, Russo points out in the early nineties a Miramax representative caught Kevin Smith’s “Clerks” at a film festival, which launched Smith’s career.

“With a short film at the Phoenix Film Festival students can use the momentum of their short as part of a business plan to showcase their talent to entice producers and investors to take a chance on their skill,” Russo says. “Being screened at a film festival helps to accomplish the ultimate goal of any short — to be a stepping stone that leads to producing, writing or directing a feature film.”

The Phoenix Film Festival may pack in filmmakers, writers and actors from all facets of life but the only thing missing now is an audience.

“What we need now is for ASU students to come out and support ASU filmmakers and see more movies!” LaMont says. “We have a special flex pass for students. It’s $20 and you get four movies. Nobody can beat that.”

“The big difference between going to the movies and a film festival is that you get to talk to the filmmakers,” LaMont says. “It’s not just sitting and watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster. It’s a real experience and a total community of film lovers that party for eight straight days. If you haven’t been there — this is going to be our best year yet!”

If you go:

April 2 to April 9
Harkins Scottsdale/101 Theatre
7000 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix

Pass Level: General (Student/Senior)

VIP Patron Pass: $425 ($350)
Festival Pass: $150 ($120)
Opening Night Event: $40 ($30)
Flex Pass: $30 ($20)
Individual Screening: $10 ($10)

Visit www.phoenixfilmfestival.com to view the film line up.

Reach the reporter at Theresa.dillon@asu.edu.