Students from the Lancaster University Film Society are to host a glamorous event on Friday June 8th, celebrating student film achievements with the first annual ‘Lancaster Entertainment and Arts Film’ (LEAF) festival.
A red carpet event with souvenir photographs, the evening will mark the premier of a range of student films for the very first time. With industry professionals set to attend both the main event and a social later in the evening, Film Society president Nadina Osmani was keen to describe the merits of the upcoming festival.
“It’s going to be a red carpet affair,” she said. “So we get to be all dressed up, feel really important and take photos by our posters like a real film premiere.”
On the most exciting aspect of the festival for Film Society members, Osmani initially jokingly stated: “Definitely the free popcorn.”
She continued: “No, I kid of course. I think we’re all excited about seeing our films on the big screen.”
Although the Film Society has traditionally held a similar event each year, Osmani feels that this year’s event will offer vast improvements. “It’s happened for the past three years,” Osmani commented to SCAN, but explained that previously it has been “just really badly organised and not prepared for or advertised whatsoever.”
“Last year a couple of people in the current exec went and we identified so many problems with it that we decided to run for exec positions; we were all film fans and felt we could do it better.”
An assortment of student films will be featured over the course of the evening, some of which presently include: a documentary about Lancaster and World War 2, a fashion ethics film about memories, a surreal comedy, and a dramatic reflection of a fresher’s year through the narrative of photographs. A film entitled ‘It’s Time’, featuring several Lancaster University students, is also set to be premiered.
“We’re still accepting submissions for films until the 1st of June,” said Osmani. “Obviously I’d encourage people not in FilmSoc to come along and enjoy the films, then if they fancy it join next year and make their own.” She added: “20% of the ticket sales are going to Amnesty International.”
Throughout the night a small awards ceremony will be held for all of the film makers involved; special awards from a judging panel will also be available.
The event is to be held at the Nuffield Theatre from 7pm Friday June 8th. Tickets are available at the door or by posting on the Film Society Facebook wall. All enquiries regarding submissions should either be posted on the Film Society Facebook wall or sent to lancsfilmsociety@gmail.com.
