Topeka, Kan. – Washburn University’s WIFI Film Festival is returning this April after the pandemic forced its cancellation last year. The 2021 WIFI Film Festival will be held virtually from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 22nd through 24th.
The WIFI Film Festival was created by Washburn University Mass Media Department in 2018. After a successful first year, with 1,978 submissions from over a hundred countries, last years cancelation prompted the students and faculty to create an all-virtual event to ensure that the WIFI Film Festival will never be canceled again.
Although the festival will primarily be held virtually, there will be an in-person screening of Disney Pixar’s film “Soul,” in Yager Stadium on April 24 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. “Soul” follows a middle-school band teacher who has a deep passion for jazz. After traveling to another realm, he finds himself helping others discover their passions, and he discovers the true meaning of soul.
This year, the Festival will have a special focus on films both by and about women. Special guests include:
- Cara Myers, Emmy Award-wining editor and director past president of the Kansas City Women in Film and TV
- Erin Zimmerman, director producer
- Jill Gevargizian (“The Stylist”), writer and co-founder of Women of Lawrence Film and the New Media Director of the Lawrence Arts Center
- Marlo Angell, four-time Daytime Emmy Nominated director, writer, and production designer
- Mist Boland (“Red Bird”), and DTLA Film Festival’s “Best New Director”
- Ashley Maria (“Pioneers in Skirts). recipient of the prestigious Directors Guild of America award,
The awards for films entered into the competition will be announced during the Best of WIFI ceremony on April 24, from 5:30 – 6 p.m. The submissions are judged on several different filmmaking aspects including cinematography, originality and sound design. Top awards include the President’s Award, selected by Washburn University’s President, Jerry Farley, the Allan Holzman Award for Special Achievement in Editing, selected by Allan Holzman and the Ivy Pruss Screenwriting Award, selected by Ivy Pruss. Prizes include $100 for the best overall film and a Washburn Scholarship, presented to the Best Film by a Kansas Middle School student.
The Festival will be held virtually on YouTube, Facebook and Twitch.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWjziZUYAbqNig5wofm7bwQ
https://www.facebook.com/WIFIFilmFestival
https://www.twitch.tv/wififilmfestival
Schedule
Thursday, April 22
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Student Founder’s Panel with Francesca Kelly
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Documentary Short 1
1:30 – 2:45 p.m. International Narrative Short
2:45 – 4 p.m. Washburn Student and Alumn Films
4:10 – 5 p.m. “State-Less” by Sharon Hoter Ishay
5 – 6:30 p.m. Have a Laugh: Walt Disney’s Kansas City Legacy with Dr. Andrew Anglin
6:30 – 7 p.m. International Documentary Short
7 – 9 p.m. ARTS Connect at 909 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608
Friday, April 23
11 – 11:30 a.m. Animated Shorts
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Directing Workshop with Matthew Nyquist
1 – 1:45 p.m. Kansas High School Films
1:45 – 3:15 p.m. Historical Documentary Filmmaking with Matthew Nyquist and Dr. Kerry Wynn
3:15 – 4 p.m. Narrative Short
4 – 5 p.m. Meet:
- Director Ashley Maria (“Pioneer in Skirts”)
- Cara Myers, Emmy Award-wining editor and director past president of the Kansas City Women in Film and TV
- Erin Zimmerman, director producer
- Jill Gevargizian (“The Stylist”), writer and co-founder of Women of Lawrence Film and the New Media Director of the Lawrence Arts Center
- Marlo Angell, four-time Daytime Emmy Nominated director, writer, and production designer
- Mist Boland (“Red Bird”), and DTLA Film Festival’s “Best New Director”
- Ashley Maria (“Pioneers in Skirts). recipient of the prestigious Directors Guild of America award,
5 – 6:30 p.m. Unamerican: The Hays Code, The Blacklist, Censorship and Representation
6:30 – 8 p.m. Producing, it’s a Woman’s Game with Ashley Mayer
8 – 9 p.m. International Narrative Short 2
Saturday, April 24
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Film Editing Workshop: Telling Powerful Stories with Film with Cara Myers
12:30 – 2 p.m. Screenwriting Workshop with Sam Finch
2 – 4 p.m. Award Winning Women Talk Film: Women’s Panel featuring
Sue Vicory
Sue Vicory has been a film director, writer, producer and executive producer for the past fifteen years. She has won 3 Telly Awards and has spoken on panels around the world including both Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival.
Misti Boland
Four time Daytime Emmy Nominee) Before writing and directing, Misti worked as a production designer; most notably collaborating with Academy Award winner Kevin Willmot (BlacKkKlansman). Her first short films as a writer/director toured the festival circuit, winning multiple Best of Fest awards. She co-created and directed the award-winning western drama, “Red Bird,” which has been nominated for four Daytime Emmy’s. AMC Networks named her as one of the top five female episodic creators of 2020.
Marlo Angel
New Media Director for the Lawrence Arts Center, Marlo is the co-founder of Women of Lawrence Film and the New Media Director of the Lawrence Arts Center. Her short films have been screened in festivals across the country including the Los Angeles International Film Festival
Jill Gervagizian
Jill founded Sixx Tape productions in 2014 and had her directorial debut with “Call Girl.” She released “The Stylist” in 2016, which has screened at genre festivals across the globe and won twenty awards.
Cara Myers
Emmy Award-winning editor and director, Cara works with a variety of clients such as production house, filmmakers, non-profit organizations as well as corporations such as Sprint, GE, Pfizer, Southwest Airlines and Hallmark.
Erin Zimmerman
Erin is the former president of Kansas City Women in Film and TV and has built a career as a visibility strategist, film and podcast producer
4 – 5 p.m. (R-Rating) Cult Films with Andy Farkas
5:30 – 6 p.m. Awards: Best of WIFI 2021
6 – 7:30 p.m. Documentary Short 2
7:30 -9:30 p.m. “Soul” Featured Screening in Yager Stadium
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