ORLANDO – Valencia College invites movie fans to celebrate 30 years of student filmmaking when the Valencia College film production technology program holds its 30th Annual Film Celebration on Saturday, March 1.
The one-day festival – which is a showcase of student films and a fundraiser for the film program — gives movie buffs, as well as current and former students, the chance to watch short films produced by current Valencia College film students and learn some of the technical aspects of filmmaking in short workshops held between screenings.
“Valencia College offers students the unique opportunity to collaborate on professional productions,” said Eric Fleming, chair of Valencia’s film production technology program. “The Film Celebration is also a wonderful chance to honor the work of our students and support indie filmmaking in Central Florida.”
Throughout the day, film students will be selling commemorative film celebration shirts, popcorn and other treats at concession stands. All proceeds from the film celebration will be used to fund students’ final film projects.
This year’s celebration will culminate with the 7 p.m. showing of “Lake Jesup: Bonecrusher’s Revenge,” a feature film that Valencia students worked on, which tells the story of a giant alligator that escapes from a nearby wildlife park and begins killing people in Lake Jesup. The film tells the story of a 13-day hunt to capture Bonecrusher. Please note: The screening of “Bonecrusher’s Revenge” is open to the cast and crew and a limited number of public seats will be available.
The screening will also feature a special video tribute to Ralph Clemente, one of the pioneers of the Valencia College film program and former program chair, who passed away 10 years ago. Michael King, director of “Bonecrusher’s Revenge,” will also share a few words about Ralph.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. at the School of Arts & Entertainment on Valencia College’s East Campus, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando.
Tickets are $15 for general admission to each screening block; and $12 for non-Valencia College students with a current ID, as well as senior citizens and members of the military. A full-day pass is available for $35. All events are free for Valencia College students with a current college ID card.
Tickets will be sold at the door on March 1, or are available for purchase at https://vcfilmcelebration.com/
Schedule for the 30th Annual Film Celebration:
11:30 a.m. Doors open
12 p.m. Short Films Block 1
2 p.m. Open event – Film Workshops for all audience members & public
3 p.m. Short Films Block 2
5:30 p.m. Film alumni panel discussion — Open to all audience members & public
7 p.m. “Lake Jesup: Bonecrusher’s Revenge
(Tickets are limited.)