Topics: College of Fine Arts, College of Communication Information and Media
November 20, 2007
<b> The Harvest Moon Film Festival took place at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts and Muncie Civic Theatre. </b>
Ball State University students and faculty won multiple awards at a ceremony on Nov. 8 at the Harvest Moon Film Festival, which aimed to provide opportunities for the community to experience the art of film and Midwestern filmmaking.
The festival, held Nov. 8-11, took place in downtown Muncie at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts and Muncie Civic Theatre. It honored films made by Midwestern filmmakers and film shot or set in the Midwest. Films were submitted from across the country and competed for awards in the categories of short film, feature length and documentary.
Nancy Carlson, associate professor and former telecommunications department chairperson, received the first "Seeds of Greatness Award," which is awarded to a person who fosters filmmaking in the Midwest.
"I am honored to be the first recipient," Carlson said. "Understand that the 'greatness' is not describing me but rather the students I encourage to become great. This award is about teaching, nurturing and inspiring. I love what I do, and my students can feel it."
The award for best picture was given to Ball State telecommunications student Carsten Kurpanek for "The White Room." A drama, the film centers on an affair and the decisions the betrayed husband must make in the wake of catching his wife cheating on him with his best friend. Kurpanek was assisted in production by the Institute for Digital Entertainment and Education.
The award for best documentary went to "Cell Block Scholars," by now-retired telecommunications Professor Jim Shasky. The 15-minute documentary follows the work of Delonda Hartmann, a Ball State English instructor, as she teaches college courses to those incarcerated in a maximum security prison. This award follows five regional Emmy nominations earlier this year.
John Fillwalk, associate professor of art and director of the Institute of Digital Intermedia Art and Animation (IDIAA), won the award for best short for his film "Idylls," which is an impressionistic montage of the Midwestern carnival.
These most recent honors continue an award-winning trend. Since 2000, Ball State has won 20 regional Emmys and been nominated for 61. The student-produced short film "Perspective" was also honored with a Student Academy Award in 2006.