And…Action! Start of Spring Semester Heralds Panther Film Festival

Spring is a time for renewal and new beginnings. As you, our readers, might already know, FIU’s Film Studies Program has been working with the Film Initiative Underground and Sigma Tau Delta on developing the first annual Panther Film Festival (PFF) — a celebration of the creativity and imagination within our Panther filmmaking community. We are excited to announce that the first Meet & Greet of the Spring semester will be held next Friday, January 26th at GC 316 from 3 to 5 PM. Stop by to meet the members of our wonderfully diverse filmmaking community as you look to round out your crews ahead of the looming application deadlines, which have been extended.

  • January 31, 2018: Originally due on the 19th of January, we have extended the hard deadline for preliminary application forms to Wednesday the 31st of January. By this date, students interested in submitting a film should fill out the Application / Preliminary Information Form and either email a copy to FIUPFFest@gmail.com or drop a physical copy in Dr. Andrew Strycharski’s mailbox inside the English Department at Deuxieme Maison. 
  • March 18, 2018: Bumped up from March 1st to allow for Spring Break to serve as the final push for filming and post-production efforts, completed films MUST be turned in by 11:59 PM on this date alongside the Release/Consent To Screen Form and the Final Film Information Form. Completed films may be submitted via Dropbox or by emailing a link to the uploaded video to FIUPFFest@gmail.com

Last Fall semester saw the three organizations spearhead efforts to bring FIU students together to cultivate a filmmaking community within the student body and we are excited to bring you more of the same learning and networking opportunities this semester. General meet and greets where students could interact with and meet other aspiring filmmakers and pitch their ideas received strong turnouts and the “Masterclass” series of workshops drew in people from all different walks of life looking to learn new skills in areas like screenwriting and acting. Junior Rachael Orbeta, who has attended several PFF events, says “The Panther Film Festival is a huge opportunity for everyone who is interested in filmmaking, whether its acting or producing, and I can’t wait to see the turnout.”

FIU students gathered several times for different workshops last semester.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out on social media for all future PFF-related workshops and events. Follow the Film Studies Program, Film Initiative Underground, and Sigma Tau Delta to make sure you do not miss out on any of the events we have planned for this semester!


Mario Avalos is a senior at Florida International University, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, along with certificates in Film Studies and Professional and Public Writing.