A shapeshifter wakes up with wings and learns to fly. A newly elected dog mayor serves his first term alongside Santa Claus. A trio of college students criss-cross the Garden State posing a philosophical question that cuts to the very core of New Jersey-ness: Pork roll or Taylor Ham?
These are just a few of the stories that wowed the crowd in the Community Room at the 2024 Princeton Student Film Festival on July 31. In its 21st year, this annual event showcases original short films submitted by artists between the ages of 14-25. As head of the Screening Committee, I had the honor of presenting the 10 Official Selections. With filmmakers hailing from Princeton Day School, Hopewell Valley Central High School, Mercer County College, Rutgers and Rider Universities, PSFF is a phenomenal representation of local talent. However, we also picked entries from outside the state–even outside the country–which reflects the stellar reputation PSFF has earned over the years. In fact, we were so impressed with the depth of creativity and skill of this year’s contenders that for the first time ever we included a list of nine Honorable Mentions.
Much has changed since the festival began in 2003. In the early days, the committee was swamped with VHS tapes. Then DVDs. Now everything is digital. Technology has helped somewhat democratize the filmmaking process, lowering the barrier for entry to anyone with a decent cell phone and an idea. Going digital also makes it easier to extend the festival beyond the in-person event. Between Aug. 1-8 the 10 Official Selections and nine Honorable Mentions are all available to stream online.
From documentaries and dramas to experimental and animated shorts, the selected films are very different from each other. But what unites them are the visceral responses they evoke from viewers. Joy, melancholy, fear…whatever the word is for wanting to hug a Golden Retriever because he’s such a good boy…SUCH A GOOD BOY…the emotional impact lingers long after the final credits.
One of the festival’s attendees was a middle school director too young to enter his murder mystery. Fortunately, The Walnut Lane Film Festival is currently seeking short films by students in grades 6-8. (Mark your calendars: The deadline for entries is Oct. 1 and the event is Oct. 30.) I won’t be surprised if I hear one or more of these filmmakers’ names being announced at the Academy Awards someday. I can only hope that they’ll remember the library fondly as an early champion of fresh talent and maybe mention us in their acceptance speeches.