Christmas came late for Grand Canyon University’s film students.
While they visited their homes for the holidays, the best gift came in February, when they attended the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Select winners from the GCU film program’s annual Pitch Fest and fall Film Festival were awarded with a chance to attend one of the most prestigious events for independent film.
“The experience was very encouraging,” sophomore Tristyn Rivera said. “You could see other young filmmakers that started where we are at, and now some of them are celebrities, which is inspiring.”
Rivera never thought she would attend Sundance because she never planned to participate in the GCU Film Festival.
When she made a documentary about her family’s bison business on Kauai, Hawaii, she just wanted to create a memorable video to look back on one day.
But after an eager family member encouraged her to participate in the festival, Rivera was swept away by the support of her film production efforts by the College of Arts and Media faculty.
She was selected as the winner of the documentary category, which punched her ticket to Sundance. Rivera and fellow category winners traded the desert for snowy Park City to attend various screenings, workshops and networking opportunities with industry professionals.
Also, they attended the Windrider Summit. Windrider is a Christian film organization that partnered with Sundance and was co-founded by the college’s dean, Dr. Craig Detweiler. Students learned how to be a godly influence in an industry that doesn’t always focus on God.
“I grew up with the perspective that to follow God’s path for your life, you had to make Christian content,” senior Hallie Williams said. “This is, in a sense, that everything you do has to be a biblical story.
“But one of the guest speakers they brought to Windrider, Christine Swanson (film director and screenwriter), spoke on how to be a Christian in a very dark industry. Our job is to shine where we are put and to be the difference, no matter what. You can witness to your crew on a filmset, and the way you talk, interact and treat people can show Christ.”
Students watched screenings and heard from filmmakers that come from a variety of genres. From fantasy, action and romance to drama and documentaries, some speakers shared they are right where they expected to be, and some shared how their chosen genres were never a part of their original plan.
This motivated students to keep an open mind and be zealous for opportunities that come their way, even if it’s outside of their planned expectations and timeline.
“Doing the job that you love and are passionate about doesn’t come easy, but in the end, it is worth it,” senior Julissa Becerril said. “It’s worth going through the ups and downs in order to achieve what you want.”
This year marked the last appearance of the festival in Utah before it settles in Boulder, Colorado, in 2027.
Over 20 screenings and 11 categories, students chose from an array of films. While Rivera's focus is on documentaries, Williams dabbles in thrillers, and Becerril is pursuing the faith genre.
A few notable attendees were movie director Olivia Wilde, actors Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, and musician Charli XCX.
Some students presented their work, and some attended for the experience, but they all agreed that being among big names in the industry inspired and motivated them, as did the seemingly countless opportunities in the profession.
“To have this opportunity is encouraging to pursue my career,” Becerril added. “Sundance has taught me that this career is not impossible, even if it doesn’t happen right away. I may not get a film job right out of college, and that is OK. As long as I have an idea and a path I want to take, that is what I will strive for.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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