"Short films for quick minds."
Short films appeal to quick minds because they offer a concentrated burst of creativity, storytelling, and emotion within a limited timeframe. For those who think and process information rapidly, short films provide an immediate and satisfying experience, delivering a complete narrative or concept without an extended commitment. The brevity of short films often leads to innovative storytelling techniques, with filmmakers distilling complex ideas and themes into concise, impactful moments. This efficiency aligns well with quick thinkers who appreciate content that gets to the point without unnecessary elaboration.
The CUT International Short Film Festival is one of the premier festivals in New Jersey for short-form films. The diversity of genres and styles that CUT features in short films allows for a wide range of experiences in a short time. The festival delivers multiple stories, ideas, and artistic expressions in a single sitting, while the variety and intensity make short films an ideal medium for those who crave new perspectives and enjoy exploring different worlds in a compact, engaging format. The format also encourages filmmakers to be bold and experimental, often leading to surprising twists, unconventional structures, and thought-provoking endings that resonate with audiences.
Group at the CUT International Short Film Festival. Courtesy of CUT International Short Film Festival.
In addition to the screenings, the festival fosters a community of filmmakers and film enthusiasts. This community creates an environment where creative ideas are exchanged, and collaborations are born.
We are all used to seeing small videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, but a film festival is an opportunity to see these stories in a venue that is literally larger than life. The Levoy Theatre in Millville, New Jersey, fits the bill and more. It is a historic gem that has played a significant role in the region's cultural life. Originally opened in 1908, the Levoy began as a vaudeville house and later transitioned into a movie theater, reflecting the evolving entertainment tastes of the 20th century. After a period of decline, the theater was revitalized through a community-driven restoration project, reopening its doors in 2012. This renovation restored the theater's original grandeur and equipped it with modern amenities and technology, transforming it into a state-of-the-art performance venue. Today, the Levoy hosts a wide variety of events, including live theatre productions, concerts, film screenings, and community events.
Marketing Coordinator Kennedy Shaw said: "We're community builders here – the Levoy is a beacon of hope for the arts in South Jersey. I was born and raised right down the street from the theater and left to pursue my education in Philadelphia. When I came home and started working here, Bill Horin, one of the founders of the CUT Film Festival, was one the first people to come and introduce himself. Like me, born and raised near here, then away for a bit, his return has seen him on a quest to re-ignite the arts in Millville, and I think that story is really important. I think it fits perfectly with the mission of the Levoy."
The Levoy Theatre interior. Courtesy of CUT International Short Film Festival.
One of the CUT International Film Festival founders, Bill Horin, said: "Well, a few years ago, a friend of mine and I were talking. He makes short films (he's the creative director of an ad agency) and has done international award-winning work. I've been doing mostly short films, and we talked about entering film festivals. We both have entered a lot of these, but what was there in South Jersey? The old Garden State festival went back to North Jersey – Asbury Park specifically. I asked if it would be cool if we had our own Film Festival. That led to a conversation – 'If we did it, where would we do it? How would we do it? Have you ever done anything like this? No, but we'll figure it out.' Luckily, we were super fortunate to hook up with some very creative people along the way!
"I didn't see a lot of theaters in our area, but the Levoy is as good as it gets! It's a 696-seat venue that was totally renovated. They put in a state-of-the-art projection and sound system, so you know the films will be incredible on the big screen!
"Ok, so we got the theatre, and it's also got a quirky (we'll call it quirky) downtown vibe. There are so many arts organizations in Millville! There's the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, the Arts & Innovation Center on High St., Daniel Courtiers DC Gallery Studios, and, of course, WheatonArts (with its long history). There are a lot of things already here that would draw people interested in the arts, so we said, 'This is it – this is where we're going to have the festival.' We started with a shoestring budget. I pitched it to the city of Millville, and they gave us a little support, which helped a lot. Then we started going to sponsors and found even more support!
The Levoy Theatre marquee. Courtesy of CUT International Short Film Festival.
"One of the things that help us run the festival is we manage our submissions with Film Freeway. Last year we had 189 entries, and it was overwhelming. This year, I think we will be under 130, depending on what comes in over the next few days. I think we will wind up with 39 countries represented. The variety and the quality of the films are outstanding! We get student films, experimental drama, comedy, animation, and music videos – anything in the short format works for us.
"As to length within the format, again, there's a lot of variety. We may get two to four films in the 20-minute range, and for the rest of them, I'm finding 12 minutes or less. Some of the animations are 2-3 minutes, there are a few experimental films, and great music videos running 4 or 5 minutes. I like mixing them. One of the challenges is grouping them for the actual festival and making sure there's a variety in each group and that it flows well.
"The CUT name came about because they're short films - you want to cut them quickly - you don't want them to drag on. As you know, it's a cinematic term, a filmmaker term, and yeah, it was easy to work with. I like short names! We like to say that 'it's a CUT above' in a way because you're not going to see films like this every day. We're 40 minutes from Philadelphia and most of the shore. It's an easy trip here from most of New Jersey to see a great Film Festival - and Millville is an amazing town. It's worth the trip."
The festival takes place at The Levoy Theatre September 20-21, 2024. Click here for ticket information.
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