FMS is thrilled to announce that four films by our students will premiere this summer at the prestigious St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, programmed and hosted by Cinema St. Louis.
The Program in Film & Media Studies is excited to announce that four short films by our students will premiere this summer at the 25th St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, programmed and hosted by Cinema St. Louis. Congratulations to all the students, faculty, staff and community members involved in supporting these outstanding projects!
This year’s theme “SHOW ME” includes 78 films in total across 13 curated programs and highlights the perseverance and creative vision that defines St Louis filmmakers. Running on the big screen from July 18 - July 27th at the Hi-Pointe Theater, showcase times and ticket information can be found using the links above and below.
A BIRD IN THE FIELD - Marielle Morrow (writer / director) with Cole Bernstein (writer / assistant director / editor). When an ornithologist’s funding gets cut, her nurturing of abandoned bird eggs leads to a transformation as her marriage crumbles.
CEASELESS CURRENT – Clara Nipper (writer / director) with Abigail Brinkmeyer (sound), Tyler Arulsamy (camera slate /cast), Martin Hernandez (production assistant / cast). An uptight college student living life by the book gets his wish to have more time in the day.
THE MISCONDUCT OF MR ARNOLD – Muqing Niu (writer / director / editor) with Ethan Kim (producer / editor / cast), Rustin Javadimotlogh (producer / editor / title design / cast) Haohui Che (cinematography), Coco Jones (assistant director), Cameron Selby (sound), River Alsahihi (music).
Ryan, an ordinary theatergoer, is thrust into the stage spotlight when he is coerced into the role of Dave Arnold, a man entangled in a staged love triangle. As he struggles to comprehend the surreal nature of the performance, he begins to realize his free will may be an illusion—every action subtly controlled by the cryptic directors. A desperate plea from his “wife” Eva hints that her life is at risk, blurring the lines between reality and performance. When the curtain falls, Ryan is abruptly cast out, left questioning whether he was merely a pawn in a grand theatrical experiment or if he has truly lost himself in a scripted fate.
MY NAME IS POP POP – Sasha Kudon (filmmaker) with Jessie Goodwin (cinematography / co-producer), Julia Ansel (co-producer). My grandfather, Marc Silverman, was a frontline soldier in the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971. In 1970, he met my grandmother, Elaine Paget, and the two have been happily married for 53 years. During his time in ‘Nam, Marc became heavily involved in a controversial war, fighting in the 47th mechanized infantry, and eventually in the 101st airborne unit. He witnessed more than a 23-year-old boy could imagine and has finally agreed to share his memories and perspective. Filled with near-death experiences, feelings of homesickness and the reality of war, Marc exposes, in this documentary, why he told his grandchildren, “My name is Pop-Pop”.
This year’s events include four workshops, post-screening Q&As, and networking sessions.
Of the 78 films selected, 29 are student works from local colleges, 14 mark the debut of first-time directors, and 33 were created by artists under 30. Together, they offer a vibrant, varied glimpse into the energy and vision shaping today’s film scene.
The festival wraps with the Closing Night Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Capes Sokol, on Sunday, July 27, 6:30–8:00 p.m. at the Hi-Pointe. Cinema St. Louis will present jury prizes, including the $1,000 Essy Award for Best Showcase Film, sponsored by the Chellappa-Vedavalli Foundation, and announce which selections will screen at the 34th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival in November.
In response to the impact of the May 16 tornado, Cinema St. Louis will partner with local organizations at each Showcase screening to support the ongoing recovery and resilience efforts across our city.
