On Monday, April 15, the annual Blue & White Film Festival was held at the State Theatre. The Blue & White Film Festival is a yearly event sponsored by the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and hosted by Penn State’s Student Film Organization, where students and the Penn State Community can come to the State Theatre and watch student-produced work!
This year’s festival included 11 films — all shot, written, produced and edited by Penn State students.
“Friendsgiving” By Dylan Larkin
“Friendsgiving” is a 21-minute comedy about a group of friends having a peaceful Thanksgiving dinner that goes awry when an unexpected guest shows up.
“Wildflowers” By Arda Wuyts
“Wildflowers” is an 11-minute drama that details a woman in a toxic relationship. After leaving home to start a new life with her partner, she realizes she needs to escape his controlling ways.
“A Lonely Stump” By Benjamin Stanton
“A Lonely Stump” is a minute-long experimental film that is in the style of stop-motion. The drawings, which are carefully moved and placed frame by frame, detail the life of a tree.
“Sapphire” By Benjamin Stanton
“Sapphire” is an eight-minute documentary about Penn State’s Blue Sapphire, Mackenzie Bronk.
“Stand Up!” By Alexandera Roushinko
“Stand Up!” is a five-minute comedy following a set of roommates. After one roommate loses a prized possession not belonging to her, she is forced with a decision: let it slide, like everything else in her life, or stand up for herself.
“Tempest” By Jake Maƶur
“Tempest” is a 12-minute drama showcasing a boy struggling with dissociative identity disorder. After finding a girl he likes, a life-changing elaborate scheme is revealed.
“The Button” By Owen Nipper
“The Button” is a nine-minute action film about a group of students cleaning out an old room but are forced into a fight after there is a disagreement about an abnormal object found in the room.
“Layers of Ordinary” By Herley Gong
“Layers of Ordinary” is a six-minute documentary telling the story of a Chinese woman in State College who has a passion for teapot making as an art form.
“Only $19.99!” By Reese Wagner
“Only $19.99!” is a four-minute horror film in the form of an infomercial. This creepy short film features a number of bloody, disturbing clips that end in a scary twist.
“Safe and Sound” By Mo Almo
“Safe and Sound” is a seven-minute drama about a college-aged girl whose friend ditched her, and she is left to walk home alone. As we follow the girl home, we realize that more danger might lie in the room with people.
“Two Week Notice” By Kyle Christian
“Two Week Notice” is a 16-minute comedy about a group of boys who absolutely hate their boss. Instead of just quitting and walking away, they decided to make a dramatic exit.
The film festival also featured three winning scripts that were available to read: “Grandma’s Best” by Will Ansley, “Symphony of Sound” by Luke Rafferty and “Racing Time,” also by Will Ansley.
Next year, consider coming out, seeing some great films and supporting local student artists!
Are you going to the Blue & White Film Festival next year? Let us know @VALLEYmag on Instagram!
