For aspiring directors, there's nothing like seeing their passion project dazzle on screen in front of an audience.
The Association of Filmmakers at ASU had its 21st annual film festival on April 25, with screenings of 13 Sun Devil films as well as a judging panel and awards ceremony.
"It's nice to have such a big event for the community," said Trina Du, a sophomore studying theater and the co-marketing director for AFA. "It's not even about awards or competition, it's literally just coming together and watching movies."
For films to be entered into the festival, they must have an ASU-affiliated director or producer and run under 15 minutes.
This year's theme was Film Noir, which brought out the film community's Sunday best in shades of black and white.
As attendees entered the MIX Center in their suits and gowns, they walked down a red carpet. The experience gave attendees a taste of what a real film festival is like.
The films competed in ten categories: Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Design, Best Score, Best Editing, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Direction, Audience Favorite and Best Picture.
There were also two categories for Best Actor and Actress.
According to Lilli Danseglio, a junior studying film and media production and the president of AFA, ASU alumni and faculty, as well as people in the film industry, judged the movies.
"We try to keep it as positive as possible," Danseglio said. "We put a lot of work into the events that we have, so everybody does have a good time."
The first hour of the festival was dedicated to networking, as the cast and crew of the films mingled. Dimming lights signified for students to find their seats, as the theater quickly became full and an excited hush fell over the room.
Each film had something different to offer, with genres ranging from documentary to horror to a comedy about spending too much time on the toilet. The audience was gasping at every reveal and laughing at every pun.
Holden Fatheree, a sophomore studying film and media production and the outreach coordinator for AFA, said some categories had sponsored prizes from local businesses.
"There's Something in the Bag," a tense Western thriller, won Best Sound Design, Best Editing and Best Picture. According to a statement by Westmar Film Company, after a reevaluation, they also received Best Direction and Audience Favorite after the festival.
As the winner of Best Picture, they received free entry into the Phoenix Film Festival as well as a gift card from Tempe Camera.
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“That's a very generous award, and I'm very grateful, and also kind of amazed that (Tempe Camera is) going to give us that," Fatheree said. "I'm excited for people to get their prizes too, to see how people react."
"Candling," the winner of Best Cinematography, Best Actress and Best Sound Design, was a coming-of-age drama featuring two best friends in the countryside navigating one's upcoming departure for college. The crew received $5,000 worth of rentals from Arizona Camera Rentals.
"Open Up!" was a dreamy and funny sci-fi film about an employee at an intergalactic post office and won Best Production Design.
A touching drama about two brothers forced to rob a store for survival, "Empty Wallets" won Best Actor and Best Screenplay.
"The Liminal Garden" won Best Score and Best Visual Effects for its stunning elements. The film had about 40 visual effects shots crammed into its nearly four-minute runtime, according to Tyler Shecklen, an undergraduate student studying film and media production and a visual effects artist for the film.
Cristina Haraty, a senior studying film and media production and vice president of AFA, said it is valuable for filmmakers to receive feedback and screen their films even if they don't win.
"Getting admitted to any sort of festival at our level is still a big moment for a lot of people, especially with how much effort goes into films," Haraty said. "To see it up on a big screen is a really important experience."
AFA's film festival differs from others because it does not admit capstone projects. Fatheree said it creates a space for both polished and new work.
"I think it's really cool that you get different levels of production and expertise," Fatheree said. "Even if you don't have the highest craft skills, you can still tell a really good story, especially if you really have something you need to share."
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According to Du, AFA has a long legacy and outdates ASU's film school. She said that it is exciting to be part of such a long-running event.
Danseglio and Haraty hope to continue fostering a strong relationship between AFA, Phoenix Film Festival and other sponsors. They said it is beneficial for students to have those connections because the industry can be so competitive.
A highlight of the night was hearing excitement from cast and crews as they accepted their awards during short acceptance speeches.
Some students have won dozens of awards for their films, and for others, this was their first one. Regardless of experience, hearing your film called to the stage for an award is something AFA agrees is special.
"I am so glad I got to make this film with (the director) and be on this journey," said a crew member of "Candling" while accepting the award for Best Cinematography. "I'm so excited for the many, many more films we will come to create. Thank you so much."
Edited by Jack McCarthy, Henry Smardo and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at ajanusee@asu.edu and follow @lexijanusee on X.
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Lexi Janusee is in her second semester with the State Press. She is a freshman studying Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Theatre. Lexi also works for Blaze Radio, and is an on-air host for Open Mic.
