Yuen Sin
Staff Writer
A smoldering romance between psychopaths. Self-reflexive murder intrigues unfolding within the cinema. Hilarious mediations on the banal failures of everyday life. These are just a few of the kinds of student films set to premiere at the 2013 Reel Loud Film Festival, which will take place on May 24 at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Campbell Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Reel Loud is a fully student-run film festival which started in 1991 as a way for students associated with the UCSB Filmmaker’s Co-op to showcase their work publicly. Now into its 22nd year, the festival recently made a major shift from its traditional 16mm film to digital format. The Reel Loud selection committee recently narrowed down this festival’s picks to ten silent films accompanied with original music by some of UCSB’s young talent, in line with the festival’s collaborative approach.
“I think we’ve got some really strong films in the line-up this year, and combined with the Hitchcock theme it’s going to be a shocking evening for all,” said festival director Hilary Campbell, a fourth-year film and media studies major.
In addition to seeing the familiar facades of Isla Vista and Santa Barbara transform into cinematic backdrops on screen, audiences will also get to enjoy live music from groups like The Fire Department and Naked Voices, as well as dance and stand-up performances in between the films.
Multiple accolades will be up for grabs at the festival, including an Audience’s Choice award, which will be voted upon by the audience, as well as awards for best photos, editing, and live accompaniment.
Fourth-year history and film studies major Chester Howie, whose short comedy film, “Birthday Boy,” was picked to be in this year’s lineup, said that “it is an honor just to be included in UCSB’s biggest film festival,” given the nature of the tough competition from many talented filmmakers this year.
In fact, the competitive element of Reel Loud is ultimately obscured by the very nature of Reel Loud as “a celebration of the art of telling a visual story while enjoying the incredible creative works that many of UCSB’s young filmmakers and musicians have to offer,” he added.
Tickets are on pre-sale at the Film and Media Studies office (Room 2433) for $10, and for $12 at the door in Campbell Hall on May 24.
Photo courtesy of reel-loud.com