Graduate Film Screening Set For April 3

The University of Central Arkansas will host the Graduate Film Screening on Sunday, April 3 at 6 p.m. in the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall.

The event, free and open to the public, features thesis films by candidates for the Master of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking scheduled to graduate in May.

There is some adult content and language, so parents should consider this in deciding whether to bring children.

“One of the great things about this year’s screening is that there is a little something for everyone,” said Dr. Bruce Hutchinson, associate professor of digital filmmaking and director of graduate studies. “We’ve got action, comedy and drama. There are a few serious films and some that are just plain fun.”

Graduate students in film must complete two years of coursework and then present their script to a faculty committee in the spring of their second year for approval before beginning their thesis project. This project is the only work they do in their third year of the program in preparation for the screening.

Students participating are required to meet with a faculty committee the following week after the screening to defend their films. They will receive their MFA if they are able to successfully defend the film.

Seven films are scheduled for the screening, with the total running time totaling about three hours. The number of films being screened is subject to change.

The current list of filmmakers, their hometowns and titles includes:

  • Bryan Allen, Blytheville, Second Chances;
  • Lesley Allen, Jackson, Mo., Ninth Inning Wedding;
  • Collin Buchanan, Fayetteville, Cotton County Boys;
  • Jonathan Childs, Hot Springs, The Good Life;
  • Bryan Dawson, Morgantown, W.V., Victorville;
  • Brett Neal, Jenks, Okla., A Death in the Family;
  • Eric White, Middleton, Tenn., Tomahawk.

For more information, contact Hutchinson at (501) 450-3419 or bruceh@uca.edu.