When three Spelman students were accepted into The Creative Minds program at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France, they had no idea of the impact the experience would have on both their professional and personal lives. The annual program offers film students from across the world opportunities to participate in internships with film companies, produce short films, and network with industry professionals. Attending workshops and screenings and hobnobbing with international celebrities on the French Riveria made this particular professional development opportunity even more fabulous.
How did you participate in the Cannes Film Fest?
Hope Harris, C’2012: As an executive board member of the new Morehouse Filmmakers Association, I helped in bringing a representative from the program to speak to young filmmakers in the Atlanta University Center about the program. I was very fortunate to have had a short film ‘Saved’ in the festival last year, but unfortunately was unable to attend.
When I received word that I had been accepted this year, I worked very hard to submit proposals, and had many meetings to get funding help from Spelman. The day before the program fees were due, I got a phone call from the provost’s office saying they would be funding my whole trip. That was when the real excitement hit!
Why did you want to attend the Festival?
Raynette Palmer, C’2012: I wanted to attend the festival because it was something outside of anything I had ever done. I had never left the country and I had never attended a film festival before. About a month before I applied, I wrote and directed my first short film, ‘Forever with You,’ as a part of Campus Movie Fest, so I was already moving toward the path that I wanted to be on.
Read Full Article Spelman
