Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Calling all aspiring filmmakers – Render This is back with big and exciting plans for this year’s festival. With a 230 seat theatre, the festival is hoping to once again sell out.

Organized by Brock TV, the festival celebrates the diverse talent of Brock University and Niagara College students. It gives film students as well as any interested and passionate filmmakers a chance to create a short film and premier it on a big screen in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

In its third year, the festival has grown to be the largest film festival in the area. Past festivals have brought in between 10-20 films, with that number continuing to grow each year.

This year, the festival will be taking place on Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the Empire Theatres. The submissions deadline is Nov. 1.

“The festival works as a two part idea: for the filmmakers and the audience,” said David Birch, Marketing Coordinator at Brock TV.

“First it gives local students a chance to showcase their work on a big screen in front of a sold out audience. And then it also gives the audience a chance to participate in a festival event.”

The festival accepts any kind of film; narrative story, documentary, animation, experimental avant-garde or foreign. Anything is accepted as long as it is between two and 10 minutes in length. The diverse range of students with different areas of expertise and knowledge make for a very interesting mix each year.

There is also a competitive aspect to the festival, albeit a friendly one. There are three different awards to be handed out. The Jury Prize goes to the best film as chosen by a panel of industry professionals, the Audience Choice goes to the most popular film as decided by the audience and the Sponsors’ Choice goes to the most entertaining film as decided by the official sponsors of Render This.

While there are awards for the filmmakers, there are also some prizes to be won by the audience.

“We try to make it an interactive experience for everyone, including the audience. There’s prizes, a chance to be a VIP, a red carpet and just a transformed movie theatre,” said Birch.

This year the festival has included an exciting opportunity for the audience.

“Anyone who pre-orders a ticket automatically gets their name entered in a draw to win a limo to the event for them and seven of their friends. They also get to have the limo for the rest of the night after,” said Birch.

While the festival is sure to be a fun time for the filmmakers and audience, there is also a great networking opportunity to be had by the filmmakers. There will be industry professionals, people from the film department, as well as film students and passionate filmmakers.

“It’s a really cool atmosphere and a great time to come out and watch some great films and have fun,” said Birch.

All applications are due between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 1 in the Student Learning and Innovation Commons (SLIC) in Mackenzie Chown A Block.

For more information on entry qualifications, the selection process, technical requirements, as well as ticket information, visit brocktv.ca.