The First Look Student Film Festival was founded by Wade Gardner and Josh Weinberg, two film students in Denver, Colorado. The event came about after many beers and rants regarding the number of talented film students who put a lot of time, effort and money into creating a project and never have the chance to show that project outside of school.

The 2001 inaugural First Look Student Film Festival was a huge success. We showcased student projects from The Colorado Film School (Where Josh and I attend), The University of Colorado-Boulder, The University of Colorado-Denver and the Colorado Art Institute. We'll admit, we were unsure as to what kind of projects would be submitted. But, as the deadline approached we received over thirty short subject projects.

As Josh and I started judging and programming the festival line-up, what struck us was the quality and entertainment value of the projects we received. It was truly amazing! For an inaugural event, First Look was proud to showcase 33 student projects in a three hour period. Even more amazing was that over 150 people attended and, by all accounts, enjoyed themselves immensely.

What was really great about that night was that the students from the different schools were blown away by what was being taught at the different film schools. For instance, the Colorado Film School students used a lot of digital equipment to create their works and their instructors were teaching the art of storytelling. Their student projects tended to have a begining, middle and end. While the University of Colorado-Boulder were doing film work on 8mm and the projects were very experimental and poetic. A sure sign of the teachings of Jerry Aaronson and the influences of Stan Brackhage. Finally, the Colorado Art Institute was heavily into animation that was top notch, professional and funny! All in attendance, especially the students from the various schools, walked away with a different feeling and respect as to what was being taught at the film schools in the state of Colorado. We all, and that includes Josh and myself, learned the value of being exposed to different works from other schools.

Now entering our fourth year, "First Look" is viewed as the premiere film festival for undergraduate, graduate and recently graduated college and university students. We receive short films from an explosive array of young, talented filmmakers from around the world. The First Look Student Film Festival features funny, sad and often very personal works from the unique and individual perspective of student filmmakers. These truly are INDEPENDENT films.

So, if you're a college or university film student or, if you've recently graduated from a film school of any type, send us a short subject project or script for the 2004 First Look Film Festival. The deadline for submission is March 19, 2003 (Extended Deadline March 26, 2004). Go to the submission link on this web site and try our paperless submission process. It's easy and innovative.

If you are associated with the film business or a fan of cinema and want to have the chance to have the "First Look" at the next generation of writers, directors, actors and crew; then mark your calendar for April 15, 16 and 17, 2004 and plan to attend the Fourth Annual First Look Student Film Festival. It's a "reel learning experience"! This year's festival will be held at The Historic Tivoli Center's newly renovated cinema complex, the Starz FilmCenter. We hope to see you there.