The Outhouse Film Festival is a chance for amateur independent filmmakers to convince others that their films do not belong in the outhouse. The Outhouse Film Festival, which started in the spring of 2000, begins Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Bo Campbell Auditorium with a free breakfast for filmmakers and audiences and concludes Sunday at 5:15 p.m. with an awards ceremony. Admission is free. Outhouse focuses on giving amateur filmmakers who do not have a large budget. They give them a chance to screen their films and see the films of their peers. Awards will be given for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Documentary, Dramatic Narrative and Comedic Narrative. There will also be awards for actors, along with the Golden Outhouse award for the Louisiana filmmaker who has the best film of the festival. Jason Wood, president of the University’s Cinema Club, boasted that the ninth annual festival may have the best collection of films ever for Outhouse. Wood, mass communication senior, has participated in the festival since he was a freshman. “Everyone talks about movies. They are a common subject that interests everyone,” Wood said. “People who go to the film festival can see that people like them are making films. They might discover they want to give it a try themselves.” Charles LaVoy, University of New Orleans senior and director of the drama “Head,” said the Outhouse Film Festival is relevant to college students. “Usually, work at this level is pretty decent and does lots of things that more mainstream films don’t,” LaVoy said. “The sense of humor is pretty in line with the average college student, and the issues addressed will have some appeal towards the audience of people in our age group.” Wood said Outhouse is important because most of the films are made on a low budget, and unlike other film festivals, it gives amateurs and students who do not have a high budget a chance to screen their films. “To see yourself screened in public is a big motivational key to keep coming up with films,” Wood said. “It helps you decide that maybe you could keep making films for a living, and it really helped me want to make more films.” Travis Williams, Cinema Club public relations chair, said the festival is a great place for filmmakers to come together. “It’s all about building a film community,” Williams said. “Most independents think they are the only people doing this. They look forward to Outhouse as an opportunity to show off their stuff.” Williams also said Outhouse gives beginner filmmakers a place to see where they can make improvements. Danny Bourque, film production graduate student, submitted four of his films this year. He said festivals such as Outhouse are the first stepping stones for beginning filmmakers. “It’s a peer-oriented event,” Bourque said. “And it’s one of the few local film festivals in the state.” Evan Falbaum, University of Alabama at Birmingham junior and director of the comedy “Making Of,” encourages students to come to the festival because the independent films present new and interesting experiences. Scott Andries, University alumnus and director of the comedy “Final Exam,” said he enjoys participating in the film festival for the fun of making films and discovering local talent. “That’s why we make movies. Not for ourselves, but for people to be entertained,” Andries said. Williams encourages students to attend the film festival. “You will be amazed at what people are doing,” Williams said. “I think most people underestimate what students are capable of.”
—-Contact Blake Stephens at [email protected]