On April 17-18, the fourth annual Neumann Inspires Film Festival transformed Neumann University into a hub of storytelling, creativity, and conversation. This festival draws students, filmmakers, and community members together for two days of films, workshops, panel discussions, and celebrations.
Held across campus venues including the Meagher Theatre and McNichol Gallery, the 2026 festival featured a diverse lineup of student films, documentaries, narrative shorts, workshops, and live discussions.
This event centers around this year’s “America 250” theme, commemorating the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
For festival director Sara McDermott, opening night marked the culmination of nearly a year of preparation.
Director Sara McDermott gives a speech at the opening night. By Nguyen Ta
“Opening night is always exciting because it represents a whole year of planning finally coming together,” she said. “Seeing the seats fill up and watching audiences connect with the films is incredibly rewarding.”
The festival opened with Colewell, a reflective drama starring Karen Allen that follows a rural Pennsylvania postmaster grappling with the closure of her town’s post office.
Organizers said the film’s themes of change, community, and identity aligned closely with the festival’s broader focus on America’s evolving story.
“We wanted a film that encouraged people to reflect on small-town America and how communities adapt as the country changes,” said McDermott. “It felt like the perfect way to begin the weekend.”
Following the screening, attendees participated in a live Q&A with director Tom Quinn, moderated by professors Kerry Hustwit and Jim Kain. According to organizers, the discussion became one of the weekend’s standout moments.
Professor Kerry Hustwit and Director Tom Quinn answer questions from audience. By Nguyen Ta
“Hearing directly from filmmakers adds another level to the experience,” McDermott shared. “Tom Quinn was incredibly open about his creative process and how much a film can evolve from beginning to end.”
Throughout Saturday, the festival featured themed film blocks exploring topics such as identity, history, perseverance, and community. Interactive workshops in improv, directing actors, and stage combat gave attendees hands-on opportunities to engage with filmmaking beyond the screen.
Professor Kerry Hustwit said the workshops were designed with students in mind.
“We really try to create opportunities for experiential learning,” Hustwit said. “Students enjoy getting up, participating, and applying creative skills in a hands-on way.”
The festival also included a panel discussion titled “Preserving History with Film,” featuring filmmaker Sam Katz and scholar Tilottama Karlekar. The discussion examined the film’s role in shaping collective memory and documenting historical events.
Dr. Janis Chakars, a committee member, said the topic felt especially relevant today.
“How we remember history says a lot about who we are as a society,” Chakars said. “Film has the power to preserve stories, shape public memory, and influence how people understand the past.”
Dr. Janis Chakars discusses with colleagues after the screenings. By Nguyen Ta
Beyond screenings and discussions, organizers emphasized the importance of the festival’s community atmosphere. Receptions, late-night screenings, and the closing awards dinner encouraged audiences and filmmakers to connect with one another.
“Film festivals are about more than just watching movies,” Chakars said. “They’re about experiencing stories together and building community.”
One of the festival’s most emotional moments came during the closing awards ceremony, when Iranian filmmaker Melina Kian received the festival’s Best of Fest award for her short film Excess.
The film, which explores inheritance, gender identity, and family dynamics in Iran, deeply resonated with the festival committee and audiences alike.
However, organizers faced an unexpected challenge: they were unable to contact Kian before or during the festival because of communication barriers tied to the current political tensions between the United States and Iran.
According to organizers, emails and messages sent to the filmmaker never reached her, leaving her unaware that her film had even been selected for the festival, let alone awarded its highest honor.
“For all of us, it became this powerful reminder that film can still connect people even when politics and borders get in the way,” said director McDermott.
“Her work moved audiences here, despite the fact that she had no idea it was being shown,” she added.
The moment became especially emotional during the awards ceremony as organizers reflected on the idea that a filmmaker halfway around the world could profoundly impact audiences at Neumann University without even knowing it.
Since the festival concluded, organizers said they have successfully made contact with Kian and hope to send her award through family members living in the United States.
Other major award winners included Grace Drury for Best Student Award (Ubiquitous), Stephen Pickering for Best Documentary (Normandy), Tony Lonetti for the Inspiration Award (Go Forth and Let Your Light Shine), and Tyler Sondermann, who won the festival’s Best Photograph Award.
Reflecting on the event, Chakars described the festival as “a special gift” to both students and the wider community.
“Not every university has something like this,” he said. “It takes commitment and collaboration, but it gives people a chance to experience film, art, and community together in a meaningful way.”
