More than 500 students, faculty, staff and community members flocked to McAlister Auditorium for the fifth annual Tulane Student Film Festival (TSFF) The celebration of student storytelling, creativity, and collaboration offered a peek into the filmmaking and festival organization skills Tulane’s School of Liberal Arts students have honed this semester to create an evening of cinematic innovation and shared experience.
The experiential nature of the SLAM 3600 “Film Festivals” course reflects a feature of many opportunities in the Strategy, Leadership and Analytics Minor (SLAM) program. Co-taught by Professors of Practice Jolene Pinder and Ellen Sovkoplas, the semester-long curriculum provided a platform for emerging filmmakers and a hands-on learning experience for students interested in curation and event management. The class built an event featuring 17 short films, curated from 32 entries, spanning genres such as horror, comedy, documentary, and experimental work.
The TSFF featured two screenings, each presenting a distinct set of films. For many presenting filmmakers, it was the first time seeing their work projected on a large screen and shared with a live audience. The moment marked a significant milestone in their creative journeys.
“The Evenfall Films crew had such a blast making ‘2man From Hell,’ so we’re eternally grateful and honored that the festival gave us a platform to share that fun with the rest of Tulane,” filmmaker Dennis McCully’s shared after the screening “We’re even more honored to win the Audience ward, and we hope you can equally enjoy a rewatch when we post it to YouTube on April 24!”
“It was really meaningful to be able to showcase the work my co-directors and I did in our documentary filmmaking class last year, and receiving an honorable mention made it even more rewarding,” said Dani Radosh, co-director of “Petite Rouge.” I also really enjoyed watching the other filmmakers’ work. It’s inspiring to see so many different types of storytelling, which makes it a unique and fun experience.”
Beyond the screenings, the festival emphasized interaction and reflection through Q&A sessions, where filmmakers discussed their creative processes, challenges, and inspirations. These conversations offered insight into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into student filmmaking, from script development to production logistics.
The event also highlighted the student experience not just as filmmakers, but as event producers. Students enrolled in SLAM course were responsible for curating the festival, coordinating logistics, and shaping the overall experience. “Being a part of the Tulane Student Film Festival gave me the opportunity to apply what I've learned inside the classroom to a real-world setting,” said Mary Carter, TSFF social media co-chair. “I was able to take creative liberty and collaborate with so many new people, which let me gain new experiences connecting to things I hope to pursue in my career.”
The festival's awards ceremony recognized several standout achievements. Cameron M. Brown’s “Batter Up, Queen!” received the Audience Award for Screening 1 and went on to earn the festival’s Overall Jury Award, marking it as one of the night’s most celebrated films. Dennis McCully’s “2man from hell” took home the Audience Award for Screening 2, reflecting strong engagement from viewers across both screenings. Additional honors included “Knock Knock,” directed by Ava Hickey, which received the Cinematography Award for its visual storytelling, while “Sunrise” by Andrew Hirshberg earned the Screenplay Award for its compelling writing and narrative strength.
Like any good New Orleans festival, local vendors brought in-town eats including Southern’s, La Cocinita, and Saint James Iced Tea for a reception between the two showings. Free admission and an open invitation to the public maintained the festival’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
Support from the SLAM program, School of Liberal Arts, Maurice L. Silverstein Fund, Department of Communication and the Digital Media Practices Program made the event possible, underscoring the university’s investment in interdisciplinary learning and creative expression. By bringing together students from different backgrounds and areas of study, the festival fostered a collaborative environment where new ideas could be explored and celebrated.
As the festival continues to evolve, it remains a cornerstone of Tulane’s artistic community and an event students can look forward to each spring. Those interested in keeping up with future festivals, submissions, and highlights can follow along on Instagram at @tulanestudentfilmfestival.
Sarah Pachon is a rising senior from Miami, Florida, majoring in Communications and double minoring in SLAM and Spanish. She served as the Marketing Committee Liaison and Public Relations Co-Chair for the Tulane Student Film Festival class.