Months of writing, shooting, and editing will come together on December 11 as KCC’s Video Art students premiere a diverse lineup of original short films at the annual KCC Film Festival. The free event will take place on Thursday, December 11, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Davidson Auditorium, located in the Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center. Students, staff, family members, and community guests are invited to attend, enjoy free snacks, and experience more than 15 original short films.
The festival is organized each year by upper-level Video Art students, who spend the fall semester developing, producing, and refining their work. Student filmmaker Colum Shea says the festival provides students with the opportunity to understand the full scope of production, not just the filming itself.
“Creating videos is only one small part of real-world production,” Shea said. “The festival lets us experience the whole process, marketing, producing, and promoting our work.”
The preparation has been heavily collaborative, with students working together to shape the event.
“We’ve had a lot of moments where we sit down as a group and imagine what we want the festival to look like,” Shea said. “Everyone’s hard work will definitely show.”
This year’s selection features a wide range of genres, including commercial projects, documentary pieces, video poetry, experimental films, and self-written narrative shorts.
“Participating really shows you how diverse video art can be,” Shea said. “We have a great collection this year that proves it.”
Professor Heather Stratton says this dedicated screening environment allows audiences to fully appreciate the work students have created.
“Video can’t be passively understood,” Stratton said. “These projects deserve focused attention, and the festival gives students a true space to share the art they’ve spent months making.”
Stratton also expects viewers to be surprised by the originality on display.
“These students are all across the board in their ideas and genres,” she said. “I think audiences will walk away wanting to see more.”
This year also marks a more intentional push to bring people in.
“Last year, we opened the screening to the public but didn’t advertise much,” Stratton said. “This year, we really hope friends, family, and anyone on campus will come by and check it out.”
With free admission, snacks, and a fast-paced program under 90 minutes, the festival offers a welcoming space for the campus community to come together and celebrate student voices and creativity.
