DISSATISFIED WITH HOW production companies overlook student films in favour of working with more established artists, Walkmycampus.com founder Amir Kendic chose to take matters into his own hands.
Through his website, which aims to create an online community for post-secondary students, Kendic founded the stuFF Student Film Festival to showcase and reward the work of aspiring film students in Ontario.
“I know how much students invest into putting their work everywhere—on YouTube, in festivals,” says Kendic. “Some production companies don’t have the time or resources to spend on student videos so, what we thought was we’ll create a platform that’s just for students so they won’t get lost at the bottom of the pile.”
Kendic hopes his festival will be recognized in the film industry and become an annual event. He also wants to see the festival become a way for students to connect with people in the film industry.
“It’s a platform that opens the door for people who don’t have industry connections, who don’t know people or have parents who know people.”
Kendic also hopes the festival will become a national event in the future. In the meantime, students from across the country can participate in the virtual festival by taking part in the judging process.
“At the end of the day, what brings value to the films are the people who go and see it – the people who buy the tickets, not some panel of judges,” said Kendic.
The film festival may be in its inaugral year, but Kendic is offering some sweet prizes for the winners. Students have until March 20 to submit a short, 15-minute film for the chance to win a $1, 000 cash prize and a mentorship with Brothers on
Fire Productions. The content is open to students aged 18 to 35 and enrolled in an Ontario post-secondary school.
For more information, visit Walkmycampus.com.
—Michelle LePage
