Valley Star

Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: Valley Life

Media Credit: Khadijah Abdullah LOOK OUT SPIELBERG- By request from Robin Saban, founder/president of the International Student Film Festival, up and coming student film director Charels Ortiz and cinematographer Eral Valdez take the stage after the showing of thier short films at the Ha Ha Cafe last week.

The International Student Film Festival of Hollywood brought its award-winning student films to HaHa's Café last Wednesday, as part of its Film Night celebration.

The screening included short films that won in various categories at the second annual festival, Nov. 1 - 6, 2004. Movie Nights, held the last Wednesday of every month, allow guests the opportunity to view the winning films and participate in a discussion with the filmmakers.

Robin Saban, founder and president of ISFF Hollywood said the Film Nights work on many levels. As well as serving as entertainment, "it's a great opportunity for student filmmakers to meet other filmmakers and network."

Saban said his inspiration for creating the festival was the lack of a student-specific festival in Los Angeles. "There were plenty of festivals that students could enter, but none that allowed them to compete among their peers."

Last year's festival received more than 300 entries from more than 20 countries.

Valley College student Igor Kagan thinks Film Nights and the festival are a great chance for Valley students to get introduced to work done by their peers.

"Come once and if you like the atmosphere, come again," said Kagan, who first learned about the festival a month ago. "I found out about it and thought it would be an interesting thing to get involved with."

February's Film Night incorporated three award-winning short films with powerful messages. "Letters of the Great War" was especially moving, centering on Lloyd and Mary, a young couple torn apart by the war. Lloyd finds solace in writing letters to Mary, letters which serve as a narrative for the 13-minute film.

"Letters" director Charles Ortiz spoke with the audience about the troubles he faced making the film, "a professional crew could make it in one month, but it took us two years because of our lack of resources," and the positive response he's received from audiences. Ortiz is currently waiting for a response from the Cannes Film Festival.

Kevin McKenna, a Valley student who serves on the festival's board of directors, said Film Nights are a good way to get acquainted with the festival's style.

The next Film Night is March 30 at 6 p.m. at the HaHa Café at 5010 Lankershim Blvd. Admission is free.

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