Contact: 
Leah Seupersad, 404-413-1354
University Relations 

ATLANTA— Reid Stegall and John Merizalde were among more than 100 aspiring filmmakers in line to pick up video cameras, microphones and laptop computers at Georgia State University last Wednesday.

The students are part of teams who had one week to write scripts, edit and film a short movie to enter into Campus MovieFest (CMF), the world’s largest national film festival that tours college campuses. The top 16 films from GSU will be viewed at a Red Carpet event at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 15 in the Student Center Ballroom.

"

Reid Stegall, a senior film major, has been participating in the Campus MovieFest for four years.

"It’s a really hectic week, but it’s also really fun to see what type of movies that people can make in a week and there are some really good films that are made,” said Stegall, a senior film major, who has been participating in the MovieFest for four years.

Any GSU student can participate in the MovieFest, which not only equips students with movie making equipment, but also provides on campus training and support. Students can win over $300,000 in prizes, including include iPads, cash and Hollywood pitch meetings.

“The number of teams signed up this year translates to upwards of 800 student participants,” said Logan Williams, the promotions manager for Campus MovieFest. “The GSU students are very enthusiastic about Campus MovieFest and we're happy to come back year after year to provide GSU students with the unique opportunity to get their hands on equipment and tell their story.”

Nicole Powell, a freshman film major from Atlanta, will be participating in CMF for the first time. Powell says she fell in love with filmmaking during a broadcast and video production class in high school.

Powell will be making a movie with Javier McIntosh, another GSU film major, who was part of a team in the past that advanced to the regional’s competition with a film about an indigenous caveman going through different time periods.

“I hope this helps my directing skills since I want to be a director some day,” Powell said. “I figured I needed to get more hands on with the program so that I will know what I am doing for my future.”

Merizalde’s roommates, GSU students Joe Rigdon and Ben Jackson, will be working with friend Andrue Herring, to make a period piece in the mountains. The team won best drama for their film last year. Jackson is a music major who will compose the soundtrack, and Joe Rigdon is a biology major who will act in the film.

“We all live together and that bond led us to do this competition together. We’re hoping to go a step further this year and hopefully win it,” Merizalde said. “Once you go out and make a movie it becomes really addicting. We are constantly working on projects and this is another opportunity for us to make something and get it shown.”

Campus MovieFest is brought to Georgia State through the collaborative efforts of Campus Events, Spotlight Programming Board and Cinefest.