The World In Film
Student-run traveling film festival launched

-- Press release

A new generation of student filmmakers will be at Esquire Theatre in Denver, Colo., on July 17. Student Films Across America (SFAA), the first-ever traveling student-run film festival, will screen the best of today’s high school and college student films as it road-trips through 50 college towns and cities in the United States and Canada.

Festival founders and student filmmakers Brian and Steven Amos will begin their journey in Madison, Wis., at Sundance 608. The festival will conclude in Los Angeles, Calif., with an awards show on Aug. 11. The awards competition is open now, and SFAA is currently accepting submissions.

"In the past few years, there’s been an explosion in student filmmaking," said Brian, a senior at Cornell University. "These days, any college junior or 15-year-old high school student can write, shoot and edit a film on their own. Our traveling film festival is unique because we highlight the best and surprise people with the quality of student filmmaking, as we bring these films to new audiences across North America."

SFAA grew nationally after the success of last year’s Door County Student Film Festival in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., which was organized by Brian and Steven. Having made their own films for years, they wanted to give their peers a chance to show their work publicly. Impressed with the quality of submissions they received from around the world, the Amos brothers narrowed the showing to 25 films, which played to sold-out screenings.

Pleased but eager to increase exposure for such strong student films, the Amos brothers decided to bring the festival to audiences around the U.S., and a cross-country cinema road show was born. "Smart, creative people our age will take a personal stake in this film festival," said Steven, a sophomore at Drake University. "Our festival provides a national stage for young people to make their voices heard."

SFAA is now accepting submissions from high school and college students from the U.S. and abroad. As the Amos brothers and their team travel from town to town, they will screen the films, and at the August awards ceremony, they will award $10,000 in prizes to both the Best of Fest and Audience Choice films; with $2,000 each to the Best Comedy, Best Drama, Best Documentary, Best High School Film and Best College Film award winners.

In addition, SFAA needs a theme song: Top submissions will be available on their Web site for online voting, with the winner to be selected on May 15. There will be a $5,000 prize for the best song.

For further information, visit SFAA online at http://www.sfaa07.com; or contact Steven at (920) 246-7500, or via email at steve@sfaa07.com.

Send film comments and suggestions to ottole@go.metrostate.edu.