DIGITAL DELIVERIES THE PEPPERDINE GRAPHIC
FEB. 23, 2024
15th Annual ReelStories Film Festival honors student films
Words by: Amanda Monaha, Life and Arts Assistant | Photos by: Mary Elisabeth
The 15th annual ReelStories Film Festival took place on campus on the evening of Feb. 9, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The festival’s theme for this year was “Storytelling is connection,” which is meant to show the connection that storytelling bridges between all aspects of life, the selection committee said.
On the red carpet, Lorenzo Mars, junior screen arts major and director, writer and editor of the short film “Cast,” shared his personal goal for the night.
Student Films
“Windows,” directed by junior Liam Zieg, assistant photo editor for the Graphic, was the first film of the night. Zieg’s film follows a young adult male lead who yearns to find love at first sight, describing
eyes as “windows to the soul.”
“Enjoy the Silence” followed “Windows,” directed by senior Karlina Zanetti and assistant director Jacky Ma. The film features an art student who wins the chance of a lifetime, yet her friends are unexpectedly unsupportive. The audience gets a close-up look at what goes through her mind as she finishes her winning portfolio.
Next was Lorenzo Mars’ “Cast,” a hilarious short film about what faking an injury can do to someone. Mars’ goal for the night ultimately came true – the audience was continually laughing throughout the film.
Brooklyn Courtney-Moore, a first-year theater and screen arts major and member of the film’s cast, expressed gratitude for the experience of working on the film.
“He [Lorenzo] is just so full
of energy and super excited to be doing what he’s doing,” Courtney-Moore said. “The environment of working on the film was just super fun and upbeat.”
The next film of the night was a heartwarming documentary called “The Big Stick,” co-directed by senior screen arts majors Elan Nicol and Dawson Storrs. Nicol and Storrs created a film that showed the community behind the group of volunteers and ex-veterans aboard the now-immobile Battleship USS Iowa.
Following the documentary was “Hidden Joy,” directed by seniors Annika Huckeba and Sydney Jean-Simon. The film portrays a theme of friendship throughout and embodies what it is like to experience true love and support from those around you.The message was enjoyed by many.
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Below: Junior Nicole Fashaw (fifth from right) enjoys the red carpet in Lower Mullin Town Square with friends Amani Pearson (far left), Rylee Haywood (fourth from left), Alex Cordova (middle), Devin Cooke (fourth from right), Sydney Jean-Simon (third from right) and Timothy Jackson (far right) before the film viewing begins Feb. 9. She was a lead actress in the film “Disconnected.”
Above: Junior Liam Zieg, assistant photo editor for the Graphic, holds the poster for his short film “Windows” on Feb. 9, in Upper Mullin Town Square. Zieg was the director, writer, cinematographer and editor of the film.
Below: Sophie Kairis (middle) poses for a photo with her crewmates Matthew Dylan (left) and Kevin Zhang (right) during the awards ceremony Feb. 9, in Elkins Auditorium. Kairis was the director, writer, cinematographer and editor of “When a Fire Starts to Burn,” which took home two awards that night.
Left: The crew of “Disconnected” stands at the front of Elkins Auditorium during the awards ceremony Feb. 9. Director Hali Orefice (invited her fellow crewmates Fatima Reyes, Nicole Fenshaw and Haley Castillo on stage to accept the award for Audience Choice.