Lander Film Festival Celebrates 15 Years with Screening and Awards

Lander University finished the 15th Annual Film Festival on Saturday, March 22 with its Short Film Screening and Awards Ceremony, which highlighted both student and community filmmakers. The festival was a multiple-day event that celebrated the love of film and cinematic skill within the Greenwood community. Additionally, attendees enjoyed outstanding presentations from Dr. Daniel M. Harrison, professor of sociology; Dr. Walter Iriarte, professor of media and communication; Dr. Misty Jameson, professor of English and film studies; voice-over actor and former Lander student Gui Agustini; and actors and screenwriters Shelley Reid and Grainger Hines.

Participants in the Short Film Competition enjoy the challenge of writing, shooting and delivering a five-minute short film in just 10 days, which was an increase from the previous eight. When asked about his experience, Joey Plyler, a Lander alumnus and winner of the Open Division, said, “As an amateur filmmaker, I really appreciate the opportunity and the challenge that the Lander Film Festival offers to the community. For filmmakers of all experience levels, the Short Film Competition not only tests your ability to come up with an idea in a short amount of time, but also your ability to effectively execute it.”

Beyond the competition itself, Plyler emphasized the personal fulfillment that comes with the process of filmmaking. “For all its difficulties, the sense of joy during the production process and the sense of accomplishment once the final cut is made makes the Lander Film Festival something I look forward to every year.”

Pictured – filmmakers and participants in the Short Film Competition, part of the 15th annual Lander University Film Festival. -Photo by Micaela Pallete

High School Division Winners:

• Third place was awarded to the entry “Unlucky,” by Jet Turner.
• Second place was awarded to the entry “Slushie,” by Isaiah Hartzell.
• First place was awarded to the entry “Through the Door,” by Alana Douglas.

College Division Winners:

• Third place was awarded to the entry “First Arrest,” by Ashley Potter.
• Second place was awarded to the entry “Portrait of Josiah Ingle,” by Josiah Ingle.
• First place was awarded to “Me and my Genie,” by Killian Cook.

Open Division Winners:

• Tied for third place were the entries “Slumber Slam,” by Nick Stevenson; and “Obsolete,” by Blaine Hicklin.
• Second place was awarded to the entry “Mill on Floss,” by Winston Cely.
• First place was awarded to the entry “Garbage Day,” by Joey Plyler.

Honorable Mentions:

The judges also awarded special awards to the following participants:

• “Outstanding Documentary” was awarded to Shawn Vazquez.
• “Best Actor” was awarded to Josiah Ingle.
• “Best Actress” was awarded to Karah Ellison.
• “Best Screenplay” was awarded to the entry “Through the Door,” by Alana Douglas.

Remembering Sam Thomas:

The ceremony also paid special tribute to Sam Thomas, a Lander University alumnus and eight-time winner of the Lander University Film Festival, who recently passed away. The film screening included a special segment that showcased portions of his previous films. Greenwood Mayor Brandon Smith also paid tribute to Thomas through an official proclamation, and it was announced that next year’s festival will include a special award given in Thomas’ memory.

“Sam was a dedicated and talented participant in our film festival,” said Dr. Robert Stevenson, festival director and professor of journalism. “In those years, he won first place in the Short Film Competition each of the eight times he entered. Sam’s hard work, creativity and continued participation – even after his graduation from Lander – represent a passion for filmmaking, collaboration and lifelong learning.”

Overall, the 15th Annual Film Festival brought together filmmakers and the community for a week of engaging films and great presentations. Stevenson was thrilled with the overwhelming success the festival had this year. “Event attendance and participation in the annual short film competition was intense. Feedback on each of the six events was very positive.”

About the Lander Film Festival:

Founded in 2010, the Lander University Film Festival provides outstanding film-related opportunities to Lander students, and the arts and film communities in South Carolina and beyond. Collaborations with academics and professionals in the film industry have led to exciting and unique opportunities for filmmakers of all skill levels to learn new techniques, develop their filmmaking skills and showcase their work. For more information, visit www.landerfilmfestival.com.

 Cover image: The cast and crew of the Open Division’s winning film “Garbage Day,” by Joey Plyler. From left to right are Carrie Carlile, Olivia Weeks, Plyler, and Noah Bunting. -Photo by Mac Mott