Reel Productions Film Society hosts 2012 campus film festival

The Reel Productions Film Society showcased short independent films made by students and Newark residents at their annual film festival Thursday night at the Trabant Theater.

Senior Bruce Aldred, president of Reel Productions, says the event featured films that were each four to 10 minutes long. Reel Productions is a resgistered student organization for students interested in film and holds weekly meetings to encourage and develop creative film projects.

Aldred says the festival welcomed submissions from students and Newark locals alike.

“Anyone is welcome to submit short films, both students and the people who have made films in the area as well,” Aldred says.

The filmfest usually features 20 to 25 films, Aldred says. The films at the festival were of different genres and rarely followed a traditional plot line.

This year’s festival included independently made films like “Kidnapping the Panda,” “When I Find You” and “Shoot.” Non-traditional films included a hip-hop music video and “Miracle Water,” a comedic commercial advertising a brand of water.

The event had no admission cost and served movie snacks, including popcorn and ice cream. Aldred says the event draws a large crowd.

“In the past, there have been anywhere from 60 to 90 students that attend the event,” Aldred says. “It’s enough to showcase the films with a pretty good audience.”

Freshman Zach Bend, who was elected co-president of Reel Productions for next year, says he wants to expand the club and find new members.

Aside from advertising through the university as a RSO, the film club relies on growth by word-of-mouth.

“We try and have a lot of students who are involved invite their friends,” Bend says.

Junior Muriel Palanca starred in four short films, including a video for a lovesong about a couple separated from one another called “When I Find You.”

Palanca says a lot of work went into the film and she looked forward to the filmfest all year.

“It’s my favorite club. This is the club that I’m most committed to,” Palanca says.

The filmfest appeals to people with different interests in film-making, Panalca says.

“We come in with ideas and then we have people who like to edit and people who like to act,” she says.

The film “Backward” was a black-and-white film shot entirely of Bend walking backward around campus. Aldred says he thought “Backward” was one of the most interesting submissions this year.

“[‘Backward’] is then played in reverse so the character is walking forward, but the context all remains backward,” Aldred says. “So that’s a pretty quirky one we have this year.”

Aldred says the filmfest’s audience is made up of all types of people from the university and he says he noticed a lot of people from the wart and communications departments, which offer film classes.

“Since the festival is open for the entire community, students come from a wide range of majors and colleges,” Aldred says.

English professor Harris Ross and alum and freelance writer Steven Leech served as judges for the filmfest and chose awards for the best productions. Awards included best comedy, best action or suspense, best drama, best special effects, best editing, best cinematography, best director, audience favorite and best overall film.

The judges chose Tyler Papineau’s “Video Games,” starring video game characters Princess Peach and Mario, for best overall film and best comedy.

Aldred says he was impressed by how well-made all the films were. He says films were intended to be fun to watch, rather than of professional quality.

“It tends to be the best stuff that UD students make,” he says.