Utah is known for its rich film history. Not only have dozens of westerns been shot in the vast Southern deserts of the state, but Park City’s Sundance Film Festival attracts crowds from around the world. With that said, it’s not surprising that the U is able to produce film students capable of creating films that rank on par not only with Hollywood films, but with Utah’s own prestigious festivals. Several film festivals smaller than Sundance are held in Salt Lake City throughout the year.
Until Sunday night, Dan Mento, a U alumni with a degree in geography, had never been to a film festival. For his first film festival experience, Mento attended the Film and Media Arts Department (F&MAD) film festival.
After this endeavor, Mento became an instant fan. “It was my first time attending a film festival and I loved the cultural experience and the chance to see these films produced by the students,” Mento said.
On Sunday, the third annual F&MAD film festival was held at the Tower Theatre and was free for students. The packed theater on 9th and 9th came alive with filmmakers, actors and patrons of both the indie film scene and the U’s film and media department. Several of the films were also featured in the Fear No Film festival earlier this year. One was also a contender in the Utah Short Film of the Year competition.
The movies were from three to 13 minutes, which gave the audience an abundance of styles, narratives and characters to enjoy. This included an animation on death, several documentaries on the lives of some very fascinating Utahns and plenty of comedies that not only delivered a quick laugh but demonstrated heart, something mainstream cinema could use.
In addition to showcasing films, F&MAD encouraged audience participation by having attendees vote for favorite film, which will be showcased on the department’s website. This year’s winner, titled “Two Roommates, One Banana,” was a comedy piece demonstrating the struggles and exchanges of life with a roommate. By the end of its four-minute run time, the film had put the audience into hysterics.
Several of the other films will also be featured on the department’s new website, set to launch next month.
“I found many of them moving and intriguing,” Mento said.  “I look forward to attending the next film festival.”