Brad Ingelsby, the writer and producer of the Emmy award-winning DelCo thriller “Mare of Easttown” will be on campus this spring as the keynote speaker at the Neumann Inspires film festival.
This is the first film festival to ever be held on Holy Hill and it is a sign of the increasing prominence of movies in curricular and extra-curricular activities.
Filmmaking has been growing at Neumann University ever since Kerry Hustwit joined the faculty in 2018.
Hustwit introduced popular courses in film analysis, directing, and documentary filmmaking; helped launch a minor in film studies; started the Knightflix film club; and has organized two public screenings of student work.
A film festival was the next logical step and with the support of benefactors Ann and Mark Baiada, work began on the project last spring.
“The theme of inspiration is unique to our festival and sets us apart from other festivals,” said Hustwit. “I think we’re getting through some dark times, after the pandemic and political polarization and rise in violence. We’re hoping to some bring some light to our community through these inspirational films.”
Hustwit has been working with fellow communication and digital media professor Joe Glass and adjunct professor Sara McDermott, who is serving as festival director and also teaches a course on screenwriting.
McDermott is the founder of the Princeton Independent Film Festival. Her short film, “Chance,” won awards at the Williamsburg International Film Festival and from the Digital Film Academy.
‘’We have so much stress in our everyday lives; it’s easy to get bogged down and forget there is actually inspiration all around us,’’ said McDermott. “We want people to come who come to the event to leave not only thinking that they had a great time, but also feeling inspired about the possibilities in their own lives.’’
Festival attendees will also have the chance to get inspired by industry pros though a series of workshops and meetings and presentations with producers like Ingelsby and Doug Clayton who made The Heart of Camden which will screen on the first night of the festival.
Sure to be inspiring for the campus community will be films made by Neumann students that will screen alongside professional work. The festival will be held on March 31 and April 1. Filmmakers can submit their work for consideration until January 31, 2023. Submissions should be no longer than 20 minutes. Prizes will be awarded for different categories.
