The After Hours Film Society recently launched a call-for-artists for its 19th annual student film festival. The competition, open to students of any age, requires applicants to submit completed animated or experimental films with running times of 8 minutes or less. While there is a nominal $10 entry fee, festival winners can score big with cash prizes, something that is rare in these types of fests.
When asked why the focus was placed on animation, festival organizers stated that animation is one of today’s fastest-growing professions. Advances in technology and the increased popularity of digital devices have made the role of the animator one of the most exciting and lucrative career paths for artistically-inclined job seekers. Animation also allows the creation of characters, environments, and storylines that otherwise would remain in only the mind of the filmmaker. Audiences around the world embrace animated films such as The Lion King, Frozen II, and Minions. These blockbusters have ruled the box office and remain some of the highest-grossing movies of all time.
Naperville students have repeatedly proved their filmmaking chops and have garnered high ranking at After Hours international festivals as well as at other regional and national competitions. Last year, Anim8 finalist Grace Ruggiero also was recognized at the 2020 Illinois Broadcast Association Student Silver Dome Awards ceremony with a second-place award for her entry, Miku and the Hunt, a film she made through College of DuPage’s Motion Picture/Television program. In addition, she received a nomination from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chicago/Midwest College Student Production Chapter for Best College Student Production – Short Form.
Picture Source: Positively Naperville
