UArts has Blockbuster Presence in Spring Screenings
May 3, 2019
UArts’ high-caliber creativity is on display all year long, but this spring, the university community makes a strong showing in two regional screening series: Philly Film Showcase—a monthly screening that highlights up-and-coming local filmmakers—and the 2019 Regional Student Showcase, presented by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office and Philadelphia Women of Film and Television. The Philly Film Showcase will screen three UArts works—two by alumni who are now UArts staff, and one by a current student. The 2019 Regional Student Showcase selected three Film & Video majors’ works for its show.
All screenings are free and open to the public.
Philly Film Showcase May screening
Of the Nymphs by Liz Waldie ’18 (Photo & Film)—a content producer on the university’s Enrollment Marketing team—started out as a documentary, but evolved into an experimental piece featuring performance artist Penelope Cake and one’s dueling inner worlds.
“Themes of age, play and growing up are ever-present in the piece,” Waldie says. “Penelope’s improvisation, combined with Graci Gill reading poetry, leaves viewers with a sense of longing, almost sadness, yet small moments of humor are sprinkled throughout the film.”
Of the Nymphs also screened at the Cape May Film Festival in April and is a finalist for Best Experimental Film at the Shawna Shea Film Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Philly Film Showcase
May 9, 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Film Center Black Box
1412 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia
Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Learn more about the Philly Film Showcase.
2019 Regional Student Showcase
The 2019 Regional Student Showcase selected
- When Winter Dawns II by Courtney Kehr ’19, about an unlikely duo making a low-budget action movie.
- Concatenate by Alena Popolo ’20, an irreverent essay on the past, present and future of the cat meme.
- Papercut by Katie Supplee ’19, a documentary-style narrative that explores self-awareness and personal desire through a strong female character and a delicate male figure.
2019 Regional Student Showcase
May 9, 2019, 8 p.m.
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
300 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia
Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Learn more about the 2019 Regional Student Showcase.
Philly Film Showcase June screening
Olivia Kram ’16 (Writing for Film & Television), and the administrative assistant for UArts’ Film & Video and Writing for Film &
Television programs, wrote and directed Dopamine Pilot, which is described as “an original pilot exploring the addictive rush/dumpster fire that is love and the things we resort to for the happy chemical in our brain.”
Kram’s film was also written by Gabriella Bottoni ’16 (Writing for Film & Television), and included UArts crew members: Gina Etlinger ’15 (Writing for Film & Television) was assistant director, Sarah Otchy ’17 (Film & Video) was a gaffer, and Katie Caldwell ’17 (Film & Video) was the sound recordist.
“It features some of Philadelphia’s best comedic talent, with performers from the Philly Improv Theater, Good Good Comedy and Helium Comedy,” Kram says. “It also premiered at the Adrienne Theater in November.”
Sock Ring was created by Jesse Derocco ’21 (Film). Sock Ring is described as “One ring to rule them all, one sock to bring
them back together. An embarrassing discovery pins two roommates against each other. Could basic child psychology be strong enough to work?”
Derocco says, “My favorite part of working on this short was going to show my parents a rough cut after Thanksgiving and them calling in my grandma to watch it. Her reaction was priceless.”
Philly Film Showcase
June 13, 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Film Center Black Box
1412 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia
Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Learn more about the Philly Film Showcase.