Film students' final works a treat for movie-goers

By Costa Maragos Posted: April 20, 2017 6:00 a.m.

The works of some of Saskatchewan’s emerging filmmakers will be on display and moviegoers are invited to attend.

The U of R’s annual Fourth Year Screening takes place at The Artesian on 13th in Regina, Friday, April 21 at 8 p.m.

Featured are the final works of fourth-year students from the Department of Film.

“I feel that this is a great opportunity for the public to see that film is very much alive and well here in Saskatchewan,” says Zach Almond, a fourth-year film student. “This is also a chance for the public to see what kinds of ideas filmmakers are coming up with at the University of Regina.”

The evening will feature 15 films produced and directed by the students.

“This event is a big deal for the fourth-year students because it’s a last hurrah for us in a way” says Almond. “It's the culmination of the four, or for some, more years of university. We're taking all the practices and experiences we have and putting them into these films.”
 
The audience will be treated to a variety of story lines with themes that include comedy, drama and experimental work.

“I think the work shows quite a range. There are some comic films, a darkly comic film, and two films that explore loss in touching ways,” says Mark Wihak, associate professor and head of the Department of Film in the Faculty of Media, Arts, and Performance. “We always want students to make films that mean something to them, and the range of films they'll be screening is a good indication that they've done that.”

Aura is a film by Zach Almond.

The event will also feature a trailer of the documentary titled U R Here. The fourth-year students, in collaboration with Zima Junction Productions, have worked on the one-hour documentary that profiles eight artists living and working in Regina. The film will air on City-TV in Saskatchewan in the fall.

In addition to the film screening, two students will receive the Jean Oser Prize in Film Studies, named in honour of the Oscar-winning filmmaker who taught at the U of R.

The award is given to the best essay written in film studies classes. This year two students were awarded the prize and $250. The students are Mark Budd (CTCH 305) and Austin Nygaard (Film 480AF).
 
There is no admission charge for the screening. However, students are accepting donations to assist a student from Scott Collegiate to attend the Summer Film Camp run by the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative.
 
Event:     The Fourth Year Screening
Venue:    The Artesian on 13th
Address: 2627 13th Avenue
Time:       8 p.m.