At 50, World’s Oldest Student-Run Film Fest Shines With Indie Spirit
Arcata, CA, March 1, 2017: In 1967 Lyndon Johnson was president, a movie ticket cost $1.25, and Humboldt State College students were organizing the campus's first film festival. Half a century later, the festival is the oldest student-run film festival of its kind and even though the tickets have gone up (slightly) in price, it’s still one of the best deals going for moviegoers. The students organizing this year's event are ready to celebrate the Humboldt Int’l Film Fest’s 50th anniversary with four nights of film at Arcata’s Minor Theatre, April 19-22.
The festival—the world’s oldest student-run film fest—is a testament to the dedication of its students. Every year, students enrolled in the film festival class sift through hundreds of submissions seeking outstanding works. Submissions range from clever and quirky animations to mind-bending experimental films. Every once in a while, these independent films feature memorable actors or up-and-coming stars. “You get to see people like Kerry Washington before they’re big or you might say, hey, 'I saw him in the Matrix!' That’s one of the coolest things about independent film festivals like ours,” says one of the festival’s three student co-directors Nairobys Apolito.
Over time the festival has grown, moving from the Sequoia Theater (today the Van Duzer Theatre) to Arcata’s Minor Theatre and inviting successful guest filmmakers as judges to select the winning films. This year, as in the past, judges will lead intimate workshops with current students, discussing their careers and the film industry. Two HSU alumni are among this year’s festival judges: actor-director-producer John Oluwole Adekoje and Tracy Boyd--both alumni of the 33rd Humboldt International Film Festival. The judge's panel also features award-winning director Patricia Cardoso who is known for her feature film, Real Women Have Curves, which won a Sundance Film festival Audience Award in 2002 and was televised on HBO.
A new feature of the fest this year will be double screenings each evening to accommodate the smaller number of seats in the renovated Minor Theatre. Tickets are sold at the Minor and on their website, www.minortheatre.com. Advanced purchase highly recommended. Screening Schedule is available on the Minor’s website and on the fest’s website at www.hsufilmfestival.com.
50th Humboldt Int’l Film Fest
April 19-22, 2017
Arcata’s Minor Theatre
Wednesday, April 19 – Animation/Experimental Night 7 & 8 PM
Thursday, April 20 – Documentary Night 7 & 8 PM
Friday, April 21 – Narrative Night 7 & 8 PM
Saturday, April 22 – Best of Fest 7 & 9:30 PM
Sunday, April 23-Encore Matinee Screening of Best of Fest winners 1 p.m.