Candace Chambers
Blue & White Flash/News Editor
Lights, Camera, Action! The JSU Film Festival was held from Monday, April 8 to Thursday, April 11 as a part of JSU International Week. Films from different cultures were shown in the Student Center Theater to showcase the art of filmmakers and how they tell their stories through the screen.
The event was free and open to the public. Some films were shorts, while others were features. With a total of nine films, students and guests had an opportunity to view life in a different form and to interact with local filmmakers.
Sunny Fridge, Clinical Assistant Professor in the mass communications department at JSU and also coordinator of the film festival, expressed that by attending, students have a chance to share and make comments about the films, engage in dialogue as well as gain cultural knowledge. “During the time of the International Film Festival, we have an opportunity to experience films from various countries and perspectives,” said Fridge.
Walk With Me, directed by Tanisha Christie & Ellie Walton, featured the lives of three women and how they use art to liberate not only themselves, but those in their communities. The women, including actress Rebecca Rice, urged for social change by visiting places like jails, community centers, high schools. They spoke with drama and dance about housing problems, having a voice in their communities, and how to express frustrations and concerns through the power of a pen.
Tanisha Christie spoke with the audience through telephone about her film and her inspirations for others to gain from watching it. She said, “I hope that the film at least created a window for some people or a reflection back.”
Some other films that were shown were Ivory Bishop: A Matter of Thieves, The Takeover: What You Really Know About the Dirty South, and I am Woman.
The film, Medgar, featured JSU students Lanis Leggett, Zion Pyatt, Cammrynn Stith, and Mickey Nikon, who played the character of Medgar. This fictionalized account of Medgar Evers’ last moments before his assassination, will also be shown at the 7th Annual Creative Arts Festival at Jackson State.
Many JSU film students asked the film makers about equipment used to produce the films and how the process worked as inspiring filmmakers. Some questions were, ”How was it for you to get permits? “What video software did you use?”
Noel Dilda, Instructor of English at JSU, committee member of International Week, and a native India believes that students can envision their futures while interacting with filmmakers. “Cinema is an engaging art form. It’s beautiful to actually watch and engage with filmmakers,” said Dilda.
JSU students and others from the public enjoyed the opportunity to attend the film festival.
Entrepreneur, Johnathan Bates of Johnathan Bates International, attended the film festival with his daughter. He said, “It was different. You never know about networking and people you will come across.”
His daughter, Shameka Lacey said, “It was good. I liked it. Young people involved in something positive. I learned something.”
Titus Rice, a senior computer engineering major from Jackson, Miss. said, “I liked the quote from the film, “Walk with Me” that said ‘When the people lead, the people will follow.’ Art is an expression of one’s ability for freedom.”
