Family and friends gathered on Oct. 22 for the Panic Film Festival which celebrated the creation of 12 student-made horror films. 

The preparation for this event began two weeks ago, when participants arranged themselves in small groups, with the goal to write, shoot and realize their own film, all within 48 hours. Other requirements, like a line of dialogue, camera techniques and props are thrown into the mix for students as they try to encapsulate the “horror” atmosphere. 

There were ten awards to win. However, according to the president of the film club, Jocelyne Decker, it is about more than awards. The Panic Film Festival represents a first step for cinema students to display their work to an audience. 

“This is my contribution to something I find generally scary,” Wells Liscomb, nominee for Best Directing, Best acting and Best scriptwriting, said. 

It is also a source of encouragement as Decker expressed. “It means that I’m doing a good job already, so I can really follow my dreams.” She also believes that in a time when people like watching movies at home, bringing people together to share films is important.

The Panic Film Festival concluded with the Audience People’s choice. Tyler Krompier and Braeden Luong won the award for “Vlog #66.” The audience was able to express their opinion and participate in the festival. 

No movie was like another. Devilishly, mysteriously or psychopathically scary, each reflected their perspective of what “horror” means. As Wells added, “it was just the great opportunity to put this explosion of all the things going out of my head on the screen.” However, it is only one among plenty of other opportunities SUNY Oswego students can have on campus. Opportunities that are not given everywhere, as Samyog Katuwal, nominee for Best cinematographer, underlined “The award means something special for me because I have never received an award like this in my home country.” 

Finally, the president mentioned that the date of the screening was not chosen at random. The family and friends’ weekend was the occasion to share with them all the activities in which we participate. Laura and Dan Decker, the parents of Jocelyne Decker, said that “Jocelyne is happy here…so that makes us happy.” The event was filled with parents and friends who shared a similar notion. 

Image via oswego.edu