In film contest, just one week for five-minute flick

When Campus Movie Fest expanded to include New York City and NYU in locations and participants this year, nearly 600 students signed up for the challenge.

Yesterday, the all-student teams returned their equipment and turned in their five-minute films as time was officially called on the competition. The students had one week to complete their films.

"No one could have guessed that we would have such a big turnout and such a great response," Campus Movie Fest coordinator Mikey Seminer said.

Campus Movie Fest began in 2000 with a club at Emory, mainly as a way for students to have some fun and experiment with emerging filmmaking technology.

However, by the end of the first challenge, when over 2,000 students showed up for the films' screenings, it was safe to say the experiment had expanded beyond what might be expected from most schools' audio/visual clubs. Today, CMF has grown to become the largest student film festival and incorporates 35 college campuses nationwide.

According to the Campus Movie Fest press release, "over 90 teams from NYU - nearly 1,000 students - signed up to participate in Campus Movie Fest."

Seminer said that about 60 to 70 percent of those who sign up usually finish films, and the top 16 films will be featured in a red carpet screening at Cantor Film Center on April 27.

Community members, faculty and students ultimately judge the entries, adding another level of objectivity to an event that strives to create a playing field for filmmakers of all backgrounds. Everything from entry to equipment is free, and contestants are all offered technical assistance from the CMF team at any point.

"We get a huge range of things, from dramas to comedies, action movies that are five minutes of special effects-type stuff and explosions to kids following squirrels around for five minutes."

In addition to the opportunity to learn a few things and share in the experience, students can win prizes ranging from iPods to computers to over $20,000 in cash grants.

Campus Movie Fest also offers invaluable exposure for filmmakers and their messages, namely on AT&T phones, flights on Virgin America and at Cannes Film Festival.

The contest culminates with a finale showing at The Hudson Theatre on Saturday, May 3.

Hilary Tuttle is a staff writer. E-mail her at campus@nyunews.com.