The Kansas Wesleyan University Communication Studies and Theatre Arts Department is putting on the first ever Smoky Hill Independent Film and Television Festival. The event, known as SHIFT, will take place on campus Oct. 13 and 14.
The event kicks off Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. with special guest Leif Jonker as he talks about the art of creating horror films. At 3 p.m., cartoonist Matt Orsman will discuss “The Art of Terror.” At 6 p.m., a screening of Isaiah Marcotte’s “Sphere Cycle” will be played in Fitzpatrick Auditorium, followed by a screening of Jonker’s “Darkness” at 6:30 p.m. At 8 p.m. on Friday, the three guest will join KWU’s own Dr. David Silverman to discuss “Indie Filmmaking.” The final event of the night is a midnight screening of “Night of the Living Dead.” Tickets for “Night of the Living Dead” will be $1 for students and $2.50 for the Salina community. Proceeds from the midnight showing will help the Communication Studies and Theatre Arts Department purchase more equipment for students. Kansas artists and musicians will have their merchandise for sale from 1–10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.–5pm Saturday.
On Saturday, SHIFT will begin with the opening of the “60-Second Film Challenge.” at 9 a.m. For this challenge, participants are given a topic and asked to make a 60-second film in only six hours. The entries will be judged by a panel later in the evening. First prize will receive $100 cash, as well as gift certificates from local Salina businesses. Second place will receive a cash prize of $50 and third a prize of $25. The day will also consist of more panels conducted by Leif Jonker and Matt Orsman, as well as screenings from local filmmakers.
For any more information about the event, join the SHIFT Facebook page or sign up for the SHIFT 2017 event page on Facebook. You can also contact Paul Green at [email protected].
