Aspiring Spielbergs and Bergmans from across the globe submitted their films to the 2008 Collegiate Nationals International Student Film Championship. The judges reviewed the entries and narrowed the field down to 13 top films across four categories: Animation, Comedy, Drama and Other (PSA, music video, experimental, commercial). Which films will be selected as the winners? That decision is up to all the film critics at large out there. Watch the films and cast your vote! Voting ends May 30.

OVERVIEW OF THE FINALISTS:

 

CATEGORY: ANIMATION

Title: Shape Shifter
Filmmaker: Cyrus Farhang
School: Illinois
The story of a creature with the power to shape shift into many different objects. He uses his skill to impress his friends, but then, angers them by using it to play practical jokes on them. He ends up rescuing one of his friends from being devoured by a monster.

Title: When the World Goes Dark
Filmmaker: Anthony Scalmato
School: Cleveland Institute of Art
In the underworld of the New York City subway system, one man struggles with madness for a chance at love. The film uses a disjointed sequence of fantasies as a reminder that the everyday and commonplace can be as grotesque as it is absurd.

Title: Dream Pup in Aisle Four
Filmmaker: Guenever Goik
School: New York University
A small, bored dog finds love in a grocery store, only to be taken away by his oblivious owner.

CATEGORY: COMEDY

Title: The Ticket
Filmmaker: Brian Graves
School: North Carolina
A young man leaves his North Carolina trailer park home to pursue his Internet lover in Indiana.

Title: Always the Nice Ones
Filmmaker: Andrew Corkin
School: New York University
A knock on the door could mean many things. However, when the Grim Reaper knocks, it’s best not to be home. When the Grim Reaper arrives on Mr. Kidwell’s doorstep, he plays it calmly, convincing his unwanted guest that he’s actually calling on his cat. Will this work?

CATEGORY: DRAMA

Title: Shooting Samsara
Filmmaker: Jared Brick
School: San Francisco State
A young man breaks away from his father’s disapproval and anger. He meets a small boy who challenges him to follow his dreams, breaking the cycle of Samsara.

Title: DK-24
Filmmaker: Shimon Starfury
School: Howard
A scientist has found the means to create “Dark Matter” into a solid form. It results in an attack by futuristic hoards called “Cobra”. To the rescue are soldiers known as “Time Officers of GI Joe.”

CATEGORY: OTHER

Title: Night Owl
Filmmaker: Cat Tyc
School: Art Institute of Portand
Music Video for the band, Swan Island, based in Portland, Oregon.

Title: Shut Up/Be Happy
Filmmaker: Dvorah Adler
School: Santa Barbara City College
A Music Video that explores the simple truth your Guru, Therapist and Grandmother forgot to tell you… Shut Up and Be Happy.

Title: Dance Book
Filmmaker: Eddie Uehara
School: UNLV
What is the meaning of dance? The answers are in a book filled with inspirational dance quotes.

Title: Luminance
Filmmaker: Cat Tyc
School: Art Institute of Portland
A PSA for a Fashion Show at the Portland Art Institute Museum to benefit the school’s scholarship program.

Title: A Lost Relationship
Filmmaker: Joseph Aro
School: New York University
Anti Drug PSA about a woman who was recently engaged and then lost her fiancé to drugs.

Title: Jesus vs the Devil Scrabble
Filmmaker: Sheraton Toyota
School: USC
An epic battle of Scrabble between Jesus and the Devil.