By: KAYLA SMITH
Staff Writer
@KaylaSmith721
Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker, actor, student or just a movie fanatic, Mid America Filmmakers and WNIT welcomes you to the 7th Annual River Bend Film Festival (RBFF). The festival will run from April 9 through 11, and will take place on the IUSB campus, as well as the Century Center located in downtown South Bend.
RBFF will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in Wiekamp Hall at IUSB and will showcase the work of IUSB’s Integrated New Media students, as well as a couple of documentary shorts.
As the festival continues, it will move downtown to the Century Center, and on Friday, April 10, it will feature student films, animated shorts and international films, as well as the award-winning feature-length film “Chrysalis” directed by John Klein, a Notre Dame alumnus.
“Chrysalis” revolves around a post-apocalyptic world, set decades beyond a bio-terrorist attack that leaves a threat for all humanity. Followed by the screening of this film will be a Q&A session with the director and some of the crew.
For aspiring filmmakers and actors, the opportunity to participate in a Q&A is a chance to receive knowledgeable information on the art of filmmaking and all that it entails. At 1 p.m. on Saturday director John Klein will host a workshop for festival attendees that will provide information on the how-to’s of independent filmmaking and distribution.
On Saturday, the RBFF will also feature additional workshops with famous actor and stuntman, Kiran Shah. Shah will be the festival’s guest of honor and is known for his roles in both the “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “The Hobbit” as well as “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.” Shah will provide festival attendees with the chance to partake in an acting workshop that he will host as well as a Q&A session on Saturday, April 11.
Later in the afternoon, on Saturday, the Mid America Filmmakers will present several different local productions and will include the premiere of film “The Wish” and documentary “Immigration: The Unpardonable Sin.”
To round off the many events that will take place on the final day of the festival will be a display set up by the Hall of Heroes Museum that will display much TV memorabilia, including Adam West’s Batman suit from the hit TV Show. A donation will get fans a chance to strike a pose and get photographed while holding the Captain America movie shield. Any donations given for the photos will be in support of the museum.
Each day, the festival will provide attendees with films that will range from shorts of all genres to an animated film that features a lonely robot. Many film talents will be in attendance at RBFF, giving film lovers a chance to network with local and international directors, actors and fellow film fanatics.
The festival is ran by donations, sponsors and grants. To receive further information on how to donate or become a sponsor or for further information regarding the full breakdown of all festival events, be sure to visit http://www.riverbendfilmfest.org.
So grab your friends and your fellow movie lovers and come out to enjoy and support your local film festival.
