Menlo’s film festival will kick off at 7pm in Martin Hall this Friday. Photo by Lauren Yang.

By Emilio Simbeck

This upcoming Friday, May 20th, marks Menlo’s 13th annual film festival, an event in which students of Menlo’s moviemaking classes will display their best works from the year.

The event kicks off at 7pm in Martin Hall, where students, faculty, and family alike can all enjoy complimentary popcorn and candy while Menlo’s moviemakers get to showcase what they’ve learned. Films vary from quick clips describing other classes to athletic stories to anything else creative that young (regular and advanced) moviemakings student can come up with.

Tripp Robbins, founder of the moviemaking program and its film festival, finds it very rewarding for the students, who have put in countless hours to craft and edit their pieces. “Seeing the reaction of all of those people to your movie […] on the big screen is a good experience to have,” Robbins said. “From comedy, to racism, to real life video games — we have it all.”

Senior RJ Babiera, who is currently in the advanced moviemaking course and has gone to the festival in prior years, commented on the process of watching the first-year students develop and mature as film makers. “For them to finally come out of their shells and show what they’re made of is definitely going to be fun to watch,” Babiera said.

Each student has a different interpretation of what it truly means to make a film — a truly unique artistic display. “People can see students [express their] creativity […] and it is never boring.” Babiera said.

The movies typically aren’t shown off very much, and the festival allows students to finally take pride in what they do. “It is hard to get our movies exposure, and I think [the festival] is a great time [for] that.” Junior Griff McGarry said.

The students feel that attending the event is very beneficial, and it is definitely not just a time for the creators to watch their own movies over again. “I think [those in attendance] can be inspired, there are a lot of touching, and even informative movies, that were produced this year, and it will transparently show off the class as a whole.” McGarry said.

“Menlo always dives into academics, and moviemaking gives you the chance to do something that is creative and different,” sophomore Parker Callender said. A course like moviemaking has a lot to offer to those enrolled and to those watching from the outside in. Avid film critics and casual movie watchers alike are invited to the Film Festival this Friday at 7pm in Martin.