"Not Clickbait" recognized as grand prize winner at 2019 5 Minute Film Festival
Students used their creativity to portray societal issues through short films and screenplays.
Anna Moseley |
The sixth annual 5 Minute Film Festival was cohosted by Codi Jay and Katherine Broome.
When Lipscomb University students step behind the camera, they aren’t shy about exploring the latest hot button issues in society, using their own artistic flair to make a statement about the world today.
Fears about social media, verbal abuse and driving under the influence, among many other topics, were on display on the movie screen this month as the winners of Lipscomb’s sixth annual 5 Minute Film Festival were awarded at a gala event.
Senior film major Sumner McMurtry was “flabbergasted” to learn his film, inspired by an internet scare in 2016, won the grand prize award and will now be featured at the Nashville Film Festival this fall.
“I was so impressed with every film and truly had no idea which one would take home first place,” said McMurtry. “The energy in the room was so powerful. Each creative soul told their story beautifully on the screen, and their artistic boldness was a force to be reckoned with.”
In his film, Not Clickbait, McMurtry relays the story of Jane, an out of touch homebody who fears for the life of her favorite social media star. With a plot featuring a surprising turn of events, the film reflects McMurtry’s favorite movie genre, horror.
“My favorite movies growing up were those that other children found off-putting such as Coraline,” said McMurtry. “Rather than playing with the normal toys that average kids play with, I’d be playing with halloween props year round. I’ve always had a fascination with the unknown. Over time, that interest has organically influenced my work and my creative process.”
Steve Taylor, director of the School of Theatre and Cinematic Arts, said Not Clickbait and the talent of McMurtry won the votes of both judges and the audience members.
“Somehow in the span of five minutes, he created a psychological thriller that brought gasps from the audience because it was so well done and so unexpected,” said Taylor. “He is working at a very high level.”
Grand prize winner Sumner McMurty also won second place in the category best short screenplay.
McMurtry said his previous knowledge of film was taken to new heights with what he has learned during his time at Lipscomb.
“In this business, it’s all about communicating effectively and bringing a vision to fruition. I feel that all of my classes have adequately prepared me to be able to do this,” said McMurtry. “I’ve learned how to network myself and make connections, handle a wide variety of equipment and efficiently collaborate. If there’s one huge take away, I would say that it's to get out there and make art. We learn by doing. Even if I fail, I can learn from it and grow as an artist.”
Other finalists featured at the festival gala explored thoughts on femininity, stories from a prisoner of war survivor and the complexities of our fortunes.
“The main emphasis of our Cinematic Arts program is the art and craft of storytelling. Technical knowledge is important, but we want it to be in service to a good story, well told,” said Taylor. “Our students are fully engaged with the world around them, so it doesn’t surprise me that a number of films this year dealt with contemporary issues.”
Fourteen judges from all over the country with professional backgrounds in acting, directing and cinematography came together to judge the entries.
The 5 Minute Film Festival was created six years ago by Taylor to allow students in any major at Lipscomb an opportunity to get their short films in front of a live audience.
“There’s nothing like seeing your work on a big screen and watching others react to it,” said Taylor. “It’s a different experience than watching YouTube on a smartphone.
“More than anything, the 5 Minute Film Festival is a playground where our students in the College of Entertainment & the Arts — film, theatre, visual arts, music, fashion and design — come together to create stories for the screen,” said Taylor. “The cross-pollination that happens when artists from different disciplines collaborate is what makes film such an exciting medium.”
Out of the film and screenplay entries, 33 official selections were chosen and the following winners were awarded from those official selections:
Best Narrative Short
Third Place: Syrup, by Bekah Hubbell
Second Place: Get Going, by Chris Capp
Grand Prize Winner: Not Clickbait, by Sumner McMurtry
Audience Award Winner: Not Clickbait, by Sumner McMurtry
Best Music Video
Third Place: One Day, directed by Jack Lawrence
Second Place: Astronaut, directed by Phynley Joel
First Place: Last Man Standing, directed by Mika Matin
Audience Award Winner: Astronaut, directed by Phynley Joel
Best Documentary Short
Third Place: #209, directed by Tyler Oaks
Second Place: Big Issues, Little Voices, directed by Sydney Tooley
First Place: More Room, directed by Siena Isabella DeMatteis
Audience Award Winner: Big Issues, Little Voices, directed by Sydney Tooley
Best Short Screenplay
Third Place: Minbury Castle, by Leighann Jack
Second Place: Still, by Sumner McMurtry
First Place: Smoke Break, by Bekah Hubbell
Learn more about the School of Theatre and Cinematic Arts.