Bemidji State University’s Headwaters Film Festival returns April 11 for a two-day celebration of cinematic works by Minnesota filmmakers.
This year’s festival will open with a student film competition, featuring the work of 13 students from schools all across the country — including one submission from Spain. The festival also features feature screenings of “Twilight of the Mississippi” and “Doomtree: Team the Best Team.”
The festival will be held in BSU’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, and all events are open to everyone free of charge.
Student FilmFest
The Headwaters Film Festival features a student competition, with 14 submissions from 13 student filmmakers vying for a $500 top prize. The films cover a broad variety of genres, including documentary, narrative, silent musicals and experimental animation. In addition to being screened at the film festival, the student film submissions also will be broadcast on BSU’s student-run television station, KBSU-TV.
Student FilmFest submissions must have been completed no earlier than March 2013. In addition to the $500 grand prize, there is a $250 second prize and two $125 awards for third prize and people’s choice. There also will be a Jury’s Special Award.
Twilight of the Mississippi
In 2010, two members of the theatre troupe Unseen Ghost Brigade built a raft and journeyed down the Mississippi River. Two members of the brigade, Augustin Ganely and Walken Schweigert, formed Closing Eye Studios and created “Twilight of the Mississippi” as the principle document of the trip — an ominous journey down the most mischievous river in America.
Doomtree: Team the Best Team
“Doomtree: Team the Best Team” is an all-access, behind-the-scenes journey through Doomtree’s 2012 international tour supporting their album, “No Kings.” The feature-length documentary gives an unprecedented glimpse inside the family, crew, business and lives of the Minneapolis hip-hop collective and shows how the band has spent the last decade working side-by-side to create cutting-edge music.
The festival will feature a workshop presented by Chris Hadland, director of *Doomtree*. The Minneapolis-based director of photography and camera assistant has worked on narrative films, commercials, music videos and more. His seminar will discuss his process, equipment and inspiration.
Schedule
• Friday, April 11
7 p.m. – student showcase competition
10 p.m. – award ceremony
• Saturday, April 12
2:30 p.m. – Feature screening, “Twilight of the Mississippi”
4:30 p.m. – Chris Hadland workshop
7 p.m. – Feature screening, “Doomtree: Team the Best Team”
Additional films are being scheduled for screenings; please visit headwatersfilmfestival.org for the latest schedule.
Contacts
• Dr. Virgil Bakken, associate professor of mass communication; (218) 755-3370
• Angie Gora, BSU director of summer programs; (218) 755-2851
Links
• Headwaters Film Festival
• Summer at Bemidji State University
• “Doomtree: Team the Best Team” | Trailer on YouTube
• “Twilight of the Mississippi” | Trailer on YouTube