2024 University of Kentucky Student Film Festival Calls for Submissions

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Aspiring filmmakers from the University of Kentucky (UKY) are being summoned to express their artistry in story-telling as submissions for the 2024 UKY Student Film Festival officially open. The grand event which appreciates and celebrates student-made films is all set to roll its show on Friday, April 26, at the Gatton Student Center Worsham Theater, starting 7 p.m. The event is free of charge and welcomes the general public.

Festival Partners:

The Film Festival is brought to life through a collaboration of the Office of Student Organizations and Activities, managed under the Office for Student Success, along with Smart Campus and the Media Depot. This venture aims to extol the creative prowess of student filmmakers, encouraging them to participate and contribute their work. Aspiring entrants are urged to submit their projects at www.ukyfilmfestival.org by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 16.

Eligibility Criteria:

All students of UKY hold the eligibility to submit a film or media project for consideration. Each submission will undergo scrutiny by a panel of judges comprised of local media industry professionals. Courage Media, an award-winning local media production company, sponsors the awards. Seven awards have been lined up for presentation on the festival night.

Categories of Rewards:

The awards encompass a wide array of genres to ensure every style and category of filmmaking gets its deserved recognition. Audience Choice, the award for the favorite film among the audience at the festival; Best Narrative Film, given to the narrative fiction film with the highest combined judges scores; Best Experimental Film for films daring to step out of the conventional boundaries; Best Documentary for documentaries showing compelling stories; Best Animation given to imaginative animated films; Best Super Short (a new category) for films of any genre, lasting less than 60 seconds; and Honorable Mention, the film that especially stands out to the selection committee.

Post-Event Celebrations:

Upon culmination of the event, attendees are invited to an after-party and a meet-and-greet with the filmmakers at the Cats Den. Interested people can also view award-winning films from the last year’s festival showcased on their website at www.ukyfilmfestival.org or on the YouTube channel @ukyfilmfestival.

About University of Kentucky (UKY):

The University of Kentucky, as a flagship, land-grant institution, has always been committed to advancing the Commonwealth by preparing the next generation of leaders. It strives to transform the lives of Kentuckians through education, research, and creative work, service, and health care. With over 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise, and a world-class medical center, UKY continues to be a force for breakthroughs and healing.

The tradition of the University’s service to the Commonwealth remains unchanged since its foundation in 1865, despite how vastly different its mission appears today. UKY is recognized for its commitment to Kentucky’s progress and for creating a community of belonging for everyone, earning itself rankings on Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and as a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT Into Diversity in 2022.

For more information, contact Lindsey Piercy at lindsey.piercy@uky.edu or call 859-323-5613.