GENESEO, N.Y.—The Geneseo Insomnia Film Festival (GIFF) will begin its fifth annual short film competition on April 1.
As inspired by Apple’s Insomnia Film Festival, the basis of the GIFF is that participants, in groups of up to four, must create a three-minute film within 24 hours. The students are also provided with a list of 20 elements the day of the competition, from which they must utilize at least three of the elements in their video. The first place team is awarded a $400 Amazon gift card, but the competition offers much more than just a monetary prize.
“The GIFF is absolutely intended to be enjoyable first and foremost,” said the GIFF founder and instructional support specialist in Computing and Information Technology (CIT) Joseph Dolce. “There is a lot of data out there indicating that learning through play is one of the most impactful ways to learn, and there's no reason why that shouldn't be true for young adults as well.”
Each year the GIFF averages more than 70 students who participate, further emphasizing that all Geneseo students—of all different talents and majors—can contribute to the competition.
“Part of why this event is so unique at Geneseo is because we're not a ‘film school’— most Geneseo students have little or no actual experience shooting and editing video,” said Dolce. “What we do have are amazingly talented and motivated groups of young people who have created some very interesting projects.”
Like last year, CIT made available a “green screen” for the competitors’ use while filmmaking. Also new this year is a new central location for the festival: South Hall. Dolce will be in South Hall’s computer lab for the entire event, ready to assist those students in need of help; no technological background is required to participate.
The GIFF’s judging consists of five Geneseo faculty and staff judges, who will be examining impact, cinematography, story and gestalt. Such questions as, “Did the judges laugh?” will be asked while grading the films, because it is about having fun.
“[The GIFF] is an opportunity to do something creative and competitive with friends. It is a fun time—but intense—and ultimately rewarding,” said junior Ashleigh Peterson, a member of the 2015 GIFF first-place group for their film “Flickering Light Films.” “It really is about having fun, and anyone at any skill level can get involved.”
To keep with the light atmosphere, a myriad of pleasurable elements are provided for the participants, such as board games, food and free T-shirts. Additionally, even if the students don’t place in the contest, the “Golden Ticket” allows for even more opportunities to win. Students can give a Geneseo faculty or staff member their golden ticket, and if the member then comes to the Geneseo Recognizing Excellence Achievement and Talent Day (GREAT Day) Awards Ceremony on April 19, both will be entered to win raffle prizes.
“There's never been a participating team that hasn't had an awesome time, and looking back on life, there's often too many regrets about the things we didn't do,” said Dolce. “This shouldn't be one of them.”
Registration for the GIFF will be open until March 25. The winners will then be announced at the GREAT Day Awards Ceremony on April 19.
News release written by College Communications intern Alexandra Ciarcia.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
Media Relations Director
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu