Huntington University’s Digital Media Arts Department is rolling out the red carpet for its first Forester Film Festival, featuring the best of the best in student-produced film, animation and fusion media.

The festival will take place Friday, May 8, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Zurcher Auditorium located in the Merillat Centre for the Arts. There will be a reception immediately following. The event is free and open to the public.

“We’re very excited for this event as it’s a first of its kind at the university,” said Nathan Hartman, digital media arts studio supervisor. “It’s an end-of-the-year celebration of our department’s best work. It gives the community a chance to come in and witness our students’ talent and allows our students to interact with professionals in the video and animation field who will be attending the event. We couldn’t be happy to be rolling out the red carpet for our students in this way.”

The Forester Film Festival is a black-tie event, and there will be a red carpet and special awards to present following the screening of the top student films for the year. Judges will consist of HU alumni, independent filmmakers and seasoned professionals from around the country.

“This is our first DMA Forester Film Festival awards night,” said Dr. Lance Clark, professor of digital media arts film & communications. “In the past, we have had two separate ‘showcase’ nights that featured student film and class projects. This year, we have raised the bar and are combining both animation, live-action film and fusion media into a one-night awards event on Friday. We are so excited this year to celebrate the best of our students’ films and media in this film festival and that we had industry judges from around the nation to help select the winners. Friday night is open to the public, and we would welcome everyone to attend.”