Every year, Niagara County Community College hosts a Film & Animation Fest. The event, which takes place on NCCC’s Sanborne, NY campus, attracts filmmakers, animators and video producers from the Western New York area and beyond.
The day-long event includes an international film competition, screenings of all finalist films, exhibits, demonstrations, vendor displays, music; movie trivia, games, two keynote speakers (animation and film/TV), a filmmakers’ forum panel discussion, and an awards ceremony that includes a special “WNY Filmmaker of the Year” award given to a distinguished area filmmaker. This year the event will also feature food trucks, a free acting workshop by 716 Acting Studio, and an open casting call for the film’ “Klausferatu,” which is about to begin production.
Villa Maria College is sponsoring the festival’s “Best of the Festival – People’s Choice Award,”which is awarded by festival goers. “Everyone who attends the festival will receive a ballot when they enter,” said Robert Borgatti, coordinator of digital media and public communication at NCCC. “They will be asked to vote for their favorite film that was produced by a Western New York filmmaker. These films will be identified in the festival program. Voting will take place between 12:30 – 3:30 pm. The filmmaker who receives the most votes will receive the award, which is a trophy and a $100 prize.”
“WNY has a long tradition of producing talented film and media makers and this latest crop is no exception,” said John Fucile, digital filmmaking professor at Villa. “With the film business growing faster than ever in Buffalo, this is a fantastic opportunity for both makers and audiences to see some of the best up and coming filmmakers in the area.”
Professor Fucile will be present at the May 5th event to speak with anyone interested in learning more about Villa’s digital filmmaking program. One of Villa’s newest programs, digital filmmaking prepares students to work in the film industry as a director, videographer, production assistant and more. “Because the film industry is growing so rapidly in our area, the demand for these sorts of jobs is also growing,” continued Fucile. “Villa’s digital film students will be prepare to capitalize on this trend by learning the ins and outs of the industry inside the classroom and getting some solid hand-on experience outside of the classroom.”
