By VASHTI HARRIS
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — A local resident’s short comedic film will be making its international debut at the Cannes Film Festival‘s Short Film Corner this May.
“My film [is] a short comedy about two twin artists who make bad, man-hating art in the name of feminism. The film’s purpose is to comedically shine a light on some of the more aggressive approaches to gender equality seen in the art and entertainment world. Being a part of that world myself, I find it important and healthy to be able to self-reflect, find the nuances in the behavior of artists and poke fun,” East Brunswick resident Lauren Loesner said.
Loesner is a junior pursing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in visual arts with a concentration in media at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts.
“I’ll be leaving for the festival on May 16 and returning on May 29. The festival takes place between May 17 and May 28, so I’ll be there for the entire duration of the festival, and I couldn’t possibly be more excited,” she said.
Loesner began her journey by making and entering her film, “Artist Profile: The Sex Twins,” into the Campus MovieFest competition (CMF), the world’s largest student film festival where students from across the country are asked to make a film in just one week.
“Once the films are collected at your school, they’re judged by a panel, and the top four films, plus other films that are nominated for higher awards, move on to the next round of judging at the Terminus Film Festival that CMF runs in Atlanta. Approximately 44 filmmakers [from] around the country, out of this group of Terminus attendees, [became] eligible to attend the Cannes Film Festival in France one way or another,” Loesner said.
“My film was nominated with five other films in the country for the award of Best Production Design. Although my film did not achieve the win at Terminus, the staff in charge at CMF enjoyed my film so much that they extended the invitation for my film to be screened at Cannes,” she said.
Having her film screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner means that her work will be eligible to win additional awards.
“Now that the film is being screened at Cannes in their Short Film Corner, it isn’t eligible to win [many] more awards, but the privilege of being able to be there, network with industry professionals and learn from intelligent artists is the most incredible prize that a young filmmaker could dream of. It also doesn’t hurt that I’ve been able to shop for gowns to wear on the red carpet,” Loesner said.
Loesner is grateful for the officials at the CMF giving her an opportunity to showcase her film on a global scale. Furthermore, she credits her hard work ethic to her lifelong positive support system.
“I can’t thank CMF enough for the opportunity. They are doing such an incredible thing [by giving] young filmmakers a chance to see their work [at] the largest and most prestigious film festival in the world. I consider myself the luckiest person I know to be able to participate,” Loesner said. “I work hard [and] I’m supported by positive, loving, inspiring people, and I can’t thank everyone enough for believing in me, coaching me and cheering me on for my whole life leading up to these moments.”
“I will never quit. I’m absolutely driven by my passion, and I am dedicating my life to this craft because it’s what I love. Growing up in this town with the support system built by my family, friends and teachers over the years has taught me that anything is possible, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I want everyone to know how truly blessed I feel.”
For more information about the Campus MovieFest competition, visit www.terminusevent.com.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
