Five16 Film Festival
What originally started as a small film festival has grown into a community-wide event drawing over one thousand attendees (more than 1,200 attended the festival and another 1,500 watched the live stream online in 2018).
The festival was named for Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others....so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” It showcases the work of student filmmakers in the categories of comedy, drama, music video, documentary, and animation. Student films are judged by Northwestern faculty, alumni, and film professionals from around the country.
“This is a great opportunity for students to produce creative and engaging content and receive feedback from professionals in the industry,” said Ann Sorenson, MFA, professor of communication and festival director. “As the festival grows, so does the level of quality and professionalism in the films that the students are producing."
The top films in each category are shown at the festival. Each film is required to be less than eight minutes in length and will be judged by a panel of experts and professionals in the film, television, and theatre industry.
View past winners of the Five16 Film Festival on our YouTube channel.
Emerging Filmmakers Contest
The Emerging Filmmakers contest began in 2017 as an opportunity to showcase films created by students currently enrolled in high school. It provides high school student filmmakers with an opportunity to showcase their films in front of their peers and UNW film students. Films submitted must be in the categories of comedy, drama, music video, documentary, and animation. Student films are judged by Northwestern faculty, alumni, and film professionals from around the country.
The top three films are shown at an on-campus reception. Each film is required to be 2-4 minutes in length and is judged by the Five16 Film Festival team members.
