The buzz of creativity filled the air as the Lomaland Film Festival, hosted by Driftwood at Point Loma Nazarene University, took center stage, showcasing an impressive array of student-selected short films.
This annual event is more than just a showcase; it’s a celebration of student artistry and an invitation for aspiring filmmakers to step into the spotlight. Students from various disciplines gathered to witness the unique perspectives and stories told through the lenses of their peers, demonstrating the wealth of talent within the PLNU community.
This year, the festival featured a diverse schedule of events designed to inspire and educate aspiring filmmakers and actors. The festivities kicked off with a session at 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, titled “How to Become a Hollywood Actor.” Guest actor Francisco Garcia joined via Zoom to share his insights and experiences in the industry.
Garcia offered valuable tips for aspiring actors, discussing the importance of perseverance, networking and continuous learning. Following Garcia’s presentation, a panel featuring fourth-year students Anna Young and Leo Krolczyk provided their perspectives on acting and filmmaking, recounting their experiences in the industry and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Their candid discussions encouraged fellow students to pursue their passions in filmmaking and acting.
The festival transitioned into the evening with a 7 p.m. session featuring award-winning filmmaker and director Cy Dodson. Dodson showcased his short films, providing insight into his creative process and the inspiration behind his work.
After the screening, attendees participated in a Q&A session where they could engage directly with Dodson, asking questions about his techniques and experiences in the film industry. This interactive format allowed students to glean wisdom from a seasoned professional, further enhancing their understanding of the filmmaking process.
James Wicks, a media communication professor at PLNU, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival, “My goal is to keep current students here inspired and well-informed about what acting in Hollywood involves. Most importantly, I want to convey to them that they can do it and they don’t need to wait until tomorrow.”
His commitment to nurturing student talent underscores the festival’s mission to empower aspiring filmmakers.
Wicks elaborated on the festival’s significance, saying, “The Lomaland Student Short Film Festival is an opportunity to feature student films. Most importantly, this festival is for all of PLNU, and we would love to see an even greater number of films submitted from all diverse communities across campus because this event is for everyone.”
This approach encourages students from all backgrounds and disciplines to share their stories and creative visions, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among participants.
According to Wicks, the winning films of the festival were chosen by a panel of two media communication professors and a Driftwood editor. This year, the selected winners showcased a diverse range of genres and storytelling techniques, highlighting the creativity and hard work of the student filmmakers.
Wicks mentioned that in the future, the festival plans to include media communication alumni as judges, further enriching the event’s credibility and outreach.
“By incorporating alumni into the judging process, we hope to create a bridge between current students and those who have successfully navigated the industry,” Wicks said.
One of the standout films at the festival was “Farmland,” written and directed by Matthew Hamilton, a third-year media communication major, who took home the award for the winning short film in the short-short category.
Hamilton discussed how he came up with the film’s concept during the summer, emphasizing his enjoyment of gathering friends to create fun projects.
“Farmland” explores the complex emotions of a killer haunted by the souls of his victims. Hamilton said that the main character feels tormented by his past actions and chooses to pursue a different path in life. His film, much like the others showcased at the festival, reflects a deep engagement with complex themes and emotions that invites viewers to ponder the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.
Throughout the festival, attendees were inspired by the passion and creativity of their peers.
“Hearing students talk about how they came up with their ideas, and then the process of bringing that idea to life inspired me to really get out there with a camera and go after what inspires me,” Ainsley Justus, a first-year media communication major, said.
As the festival came to a close, attendees said they left feeling inspired to pursue their own creative projects.
The Lomaland Film Festival will return every school year, with the media communication department and Driftwood encouraging all PLNU students to submit their films or attend the event.
Grace Barrera