Boston University’s Film Festival Goes Virtual

Combines its East & West Coast Festivals

to celebrate filmmakers and its 40th anniversary.

Festival features a free 8-day student and alumni film online showcase and voting  and closes with a live-streamed awards reception on April 24th.

“We were inspired to bring the events together, online, as a necessary response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Paul Schneider, chair of Boston University College of Communication film and television department. “Our student and alumni filmmakers have produced truly excellent work that deserves a safe space in which to share their passion and hard work with audiences eager to see it.”

Redstones Virtual Film Festival 2020 Schedule:

April 17-24: Streaming Redstone Finalists and Best Alumni Short Film

April 17-23 at 8 p.m. Eastern: Daily digital interviews and social media takeovers with filmmakers, cast and crew on Boston University College of Communication Instagram (@comatbu), Facebook Live (@COMatBU), Twitter (@COMatBU), and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/bucomgrad) #RedstoneFilmFestival

April 24 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern: Live streamed Awards Ceremony and (Make-Your-Own) Cocktail Reception with a special toast to the Redstones 40th anniversary.

Link to register, screen, and participate: http://sites.bu.edu/ftcine/

Awards to be presented during the ceremony include:

Redstone Festival Student Awards
Best Alumni Short Award
Fleder Rosenberg Short Screenplay Contest Awards
The Film and Television Studies Award for Innovative Scholarship Award

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Nominated Films:

“Leave Me Be”

A young woman tries to move on from her past, but an unexpected visitor makes it hard for her to avoid. Ultimately, she must decide if she is really ready to let go.

Director: Natalie Kulick ’20BA

Writer: Natalie Kulick ’20BA

Producer: Brennan Zhou ’20BA

“Off Beat”

A pizza delivery man, stuck in his comfort zone, discovers the world of Ballroom Dancing.

Director: Derin Kiyak ’19MFA

Writer: Derin Kiyak ’19MFA

Producer: Eric Moots    ’19MS

“Pennybrook Rd.”

An accident haunts a soon-to-be mother.

Director: Emad Barakat ’19MFA

Writer: Arianna Andrews

Producer: Songxin Xie ’19MFA

“The Beez & The Chickadeez”

A coming of age tale about a young couple in their senior year of high school.

Director: Christopher Milton ’19MFA

Writer: Kayla Richardson ’19MFA

Producer: Songxin Xie ’19MFA

“Tides”

Clam diggers search for something more than what they find in their holes.

Director: Kevin Rogers ’19MFA

Writer:Kevin Rogers ’19MFA  Patrick Kelley

Producer: Eric Moots ’19MS  Kevin Rogers ’19MFA

“Tuck”

A coming-of-age drama about a young man’s opportunity to leave his working class town.

Director: Rachel Walden ’17MFA

Writer: Rachel Walden ’17MFA Nadia Cross ’17MFA

Producer: Neil Sauvage ’17MFA

SELECTED ALUMNI SHORT

“Santa Claus in Baghdad”

It’s a story about sacrifices, the social order of society, and the power of a simple gift.

Director: Raouf Zaki

Writer: Raouf Zaki

Producer: Raouf Zaki

HONORABLE MENTION ALUMNI SHORT

“Wide Awake in Bridgewater”

Communications from a woman who disappeared  51 years earlier spark new questions.

Director: Erik LeeCOM’96

Writer: Erik Lee COM’96

Producer: Erik Lee COM’96, Mark Lynch COM’05

Associate Producers: Hans Jaeger, Kevyn Settle

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The annual festival is generously sponsored by the Redstone Foundation, Canon, Avid, and filmmakers Gary Fleder and Scott Rosenberg.

The Redstones past winners and finalists are some of today’s most successful directors, screenwriters, and producers, including:

Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, recipient of Independent Spirit Award for Best Director and chosen by the National Board of Reviewas one of the top ten films of 2019) 
Gary Fleder (Homefront, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector)
Henry Hughes ( ‘Day One’, Academy Award nomination for Best Short Film 2015)
Nora Grossman ( The Imitation Game, nominations for the Academy Award for Best Picture, the BAFTA Award for Best Film, and the Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture)
Chiemi Karasawa, (Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me)

Richard Gladstein (The Hateful Eight, Cider House Rules, Finding Neverland, The Bourne Identity,  two-time Academy Award nominated film producer)

Scott Rosenberg (High Fidelity, Con Air, Beautiful Girls, Writers Guild of America Award for Television: New Series, MORE)
Jennifer Getzinger (Mad Men)

For schedule of streaming films, to screen films and trailers, and to register to join the April 24 Awards Ceremony & Reception , visit the Redstones online. http://sites.bu.edu/ftcine/