An Associate Professor of Design at Troy University has created a free, virtual one-day film festival open to all Alabama high school and college students interested in learning more about filmmaking and animation.

The YellowHammer Film Fest, a free event made possible by a major grant from the Alabama Humanities Alliance along with matching funds from Troy University, will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 31.

According to Festival Director Chris Stagl, the concept behind YellowHammer Film Fest is to provide an enriching and interactive experience for high school and college students, consisting of virtual workshops, critiques, a keynote speaker, a student exhibition and an awards ceremony. 

“We’re looking forward to engaging the students who join us online with a look into the world of filmmaking from a perspective of arts and humanities,” Stagl said. “I think the students that enter the festival’s competition will be ecstatic to see their work screened for all of the participants, speakers and judges. With the help of the AHA and Troy University, we hope that the YellowHammer Film Fest can make a long-lasting impact in the community and state of Alabama.

The event is filled with opportunities for students from the state to learn and explore the intersection of filmmaking and the humanities.

Workshop topics will cover creative writing and literature for filmmaking, historically significant moments in Alabama filmmaking, constructive criticism of creative works and understanding concept development and storytelling.

Presenters include: Dr. Will Napier, author and educator; Eric Flagg, Coordinator of the Digital Media Technology programs at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla. and documentary filmmaker and co-founder of Jellyfish Smack Productions; Isaac Brown, Professor of Digital Media at Florida State College in Jacksonville, Fla. and co-founder of Jellyfish Smack Productions; Ty Primosch, an animator and film director currently working as an artist at Netflix Animation; K.J. Mathieson, an animator and educator with extensive experience in concept development, animation production, 3D technology and the film festival circuit; and, Brian Jones, Media and Location Coordinator for the Alabama Film Office.

Additional information about the event, including how to enter the competition and festival registration, can be found at https://www.yellowhammerfilmfest.com/.