Homeward Bound 04/27

The Satellite Tour is on its way home after finishing the year strong with more than 400 spectators at the La Salle University Red Carpet Finale on Thursday. Satellite is currently on the road in Virginia and with any luck will be home in Atlanta by nightfall. Rumor has it they’re staying alert with the judicious consumption of Trolli Worms and episodes of THIS AMERICAN LIFE. Safe travels guys and we’ll see ya in Hollywood!!

Tribeca Film Festival Review: EATING LUNCH 04/26

This week some members of the Campus MovieFest crew had the opportunity to attend some screenings at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York and see some incredible work by up-and-coming artists. Here’s a review for the film EATING LUNCH by CMF Video Manager Caitlin Wert:

Watching short films can be a very intimate experience, particularly because so much vital information is offered in such a limited duration. There is no time to be coy; there is only time to draw the viewer into the story. TriBeCa’s Skin Deep series of shorts is full of pensive pieces that prompt true emotion. The stand out for me is Eating Lunch, a Swedish film by director Sanna Lenken that focuses on a group gathering for lunch in an eating disorder clinic. The story follows Klara, a returning patient played by a very convincing Elina Sandberg, as she attempts to finish her meal in 30 minutes. Much to Klara’s dismay, not only does she have to deal with her own self-judgments while eating, but she also has to process the added stress of a very neurotic new patient who has no problem being vocal about her worries.

Lenken does a fantastic job of putting the audience directly into the situation and transferring Klara’s concerns over to us; you simply cannot help but feel uncomfortable when watching this film. As the narrative progresses, you empathize more and more with Klara to the point where you can personally feel her anxiety as if you were experiencing it yourself. Anyone who has ever dealt with an eating disorder or who knows someone else who suffers will appreciate the reality that Eating Lunch presents. The act of eating lunch is such a “normal” thing for many of us, but this film challenges that mindset by putting a spotlight on how difficult eating can actually be for people who have eating disorders. The subject is a tough one to handle, but Lenken does it with skill and grace.

I consider a film successful when it evokes authentic emotion. Without a doubt, Eating Lunch accomplishes this feat. In the span of 13 minutes, Lenken makes us feel tentative, uneasy, and hopeful in a very real way. This is a film that will resonate with you long after you have left the theater.

New Kids on the Block 04/19

Campus MovieFest is expanding! There are two new schools on the horizon for CMF, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Hofstra University, both launching next week. Welcome to the CMF family! We can’t wait to see your films!

DID YOU KNOW: Hofstra boasts numerous famous alumni, including Christopher Walken, James Caan, CMF Luminary Philip Rosenthal (creator of Everybody Loves Raymond), and FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA? This could be you, Hofstra students:

UMBC has its own list of famous alumni, but the list really begins and ends with actress Kathleen Turner, probably best known as the voice of the one and only JESSICA RABBIT.

Your move, Hofstra.

CMF Hollywood 04/08

As the weather warms up and semesters are slowly approaching finals, it’s time to start thinking about Campus MovieFest Hollywood! The dates are June 20-22 back at the lovely and glamorous Sheraton Universal and the entire CMF team can’t wait to see everyone there! Badges and hotel rooms are available now at discounted rates, so act fast! Some previous presenters include cinematographer Wally Pfister (Inception), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) and Stana Katic (Castle). Check out some of the highlights from 2012.

Shipping Up To Boston 03/07

Campus Moviefest is en route to the home of clam chowder and the Red Sox: BOSTON! CMF is proud to return to Beantown for our ninght year, with stops at Northeastern, Fitchburg State, Salem State and Bridgewater State!

But first, what’s a road trip without a couple of roadside attractions? Here’s CMF Promo Manager Nishant getting his money’s worth on a great pecan sale.

From ATL to NYC 03/05

After wrapping up in Atlanta with the fantastic Emory and GSU Finales last week, Campus MovieFest now travels north, to the wintry and exciting New York City. CMF will be at four New York-area schools in this semester, starting with Hunter College in Manhattan and St. John’s University in Queens and wrapping up in April with Fairleigh Dickinson in Jersey and Fordham in the Bronx.

For a look back at CMF in New York in 2012, check out VIOLET by Eliza McNitt at NYU, the Best Drama winner at CMF Hollywood.

NCSU Finale 02/21

Yeah Graffiti! Wolfpack students, get ready for a wild night of movies, door prizes and other surprises Saturday, February 23 at 9pm in the Witherspoon Cinema. Click here for more info.

Georgia State Panthers! 02/14

The filmmaking week at Georgia State University culminated with Collection this Tuesday, where students turned in an impressive 73 movies and ensuring a madhouse at the red carpet finale at the Rialto on Thursday, Feb. 28. The movies this year proved to be remarkably diverse, ranging from music videos and experimental art pieces to the traditional action-comedies and dorm comedies. Click here for info about the RED CARPET FINALE!

TAMPA! 02/07

Another launch, another record broken by the FloBo team! The University of Tampa, a CMF school since 2005, had the most equipment pickups and student participants in its history on Tuesday, promising to bring an incredible crop of movies next week. Click here to check out more photos from the Tampa event.

Two Packed Finales, One Epic Night 02/01

It’s uncommon for there to be two CMF Finales in one night but that’s exactly what went down yesterday as both UGA and Bama came out in droves and packed their red carpet screenings. With a combined attendance of well more than 1000, the night also featured a performance by Improv Athens at the UGA Finale, some incredible prizes and a little friendly Twitter banter between the two SEC rivals. Click the pics for links to the photo albums.