Eleven Troy University students will have their films showcased in Birmingham, Alabama, at the Sidewalk Film Festival for their annual “Alabama Film Week” on April 20.
This festival is a celebration of Alabama filmmakers and films set in Alabama. The students having their films featured previously had their films shown at Troy University’s YellowHammer Film Festival, receiving several awards.
These students include Nathan Hobbs, Zack Pappanastos, Shelby Clinkscales, Howard Purvee, Grace Kish, Reanna Thompson, Christian Bens, Collin Hardin and Jared Hester.
Hobbs will have three films of his showcased at Sidewalk, which were previously shown and awarded at the Yellowhammer Film Festival.
At the Yellowhammer Film Festival, his films “Rest” received Best Sound Design, “Killer Queen” won Best Music Video and “Welcome Home” received not only best Film of the Year but also Best Visual Effects.
“Being featured in this film festival, and having our work presented is an incredible honor,” said Nathan Hobbs, a senior graphic design major from Black, Alabama. “This is going to be an incredibly exciting experience that I’ve never had before.”
Also being showcased during the Sidewalk Film Festival is “Paranoia,” Zack Papanastos’s debut short film, which won the First Time Filmmaker Award at the Yellowhammer Film Festival. Zack Papanastos is a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Birmingham, Alabama.
“It was originally an idea I came up with when we were preparing for a 48-hour film fest in Birmingham, Alabama, for the Sidewalk Film Competition [last year],” Papanastos said. “I shot it, directed it and acted in it, and it was a good time.
“I look back on it and there’s a lot I would change, but it was a fun process. For my first film, I’m not that upset with it.”
Other Troy student films include:
• “When You’re Smiling” music video by Anna Gordon
• “All I Ask” music video by Shelby Clinkscales
• “Unseen” short film by Howard Purvee
• “The View” music video by Grace Kish
• “Day and Night” short film by Reanna Thompson
• “Unsteady” music video by Christian Bens
“I couldn't be prouder of my students to have their work shown at Sidewalk's Alabama Film Week,” said Christopher Stagl, an associate professor of design. “Their hard work is paying off in dividends.”
Being included in projects and festivals like this gives students the ability to network with other creatives and potentially find work beyond the classroom.”
Networking is a large part of the film industry, and so, these events are vital to the student's success once they leave Troy University.
“This industry is truly a marriage about who you know and what you know, and if nothing else, it gives students the time to reflect back on the processes they went through to make a successful project,” Stagl said.
“I plan to keep working on several projects, including my thesis film, to submit to further festivals down the line,” Hobbs said. “I am currently shooting on my next project with several more in the works.”
This film festival will take place in the Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema, located in the recently restored Pizitz Building at 1821 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.
It’ll last from April 18 through April 21.
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