Friday, April 25 marked the fifth annual Villy Awards, a student film festival on Villanova’s campus. It celebrates student films created throughout the school year in multiple categories. So much work goes into each of the films put on display at this award show, and each deserves to be appreciated. There were a total of 11 awards given out once all the films had been viewed, celebrating the best of all the talent in the room.
After a walk across the red carpet right outside the Connelly Cinema, filmmakers and audience members alike settled in for an exciting night of films. The viewing began with the drama category, featuring six entries. The first three films: Lock. In., Nine Going on Nineteen and No Worries started the show off strong, offering insights into teenage life in a variety of different ways. They were followed by a brief intermission of technical difficulties, which the host filled with a bit of trivia.
The next three films completed the drama category: The Keyboard, The Most Dangerous Game and No Troubles Here. These three all took on a much more sinister theme than the previous entries. The latter two revolve around a game of life or death, as students are chased by an unhinged figure in a ploy they unwittingly entered. The Keyboard, while still unsettling, leans more towards comedy. In the film, three students discover that an unassuming old keyboard can control the world around it, muting, pausing and even “escaping” the world of the film.
The next category was music videos. Perhaps unexpectedly for some, it ended up being one of the most entertaining categories of the night.
“I was really impressed by the music videos. They really told stories,” sophomore Jackie Dobrydney said.
The four videos shown were: “I’m Just…,” “Sailor Song,” “Give A Little” and “Scotty Doesn’t Know!” The first and last were funny and refreshing, while “Sailor Song” and “Give A Little” told captivating love stories even in the little time they had to convey such emotions. It was an exciting category, both for the audience and for the people who worked on these projects.
“It was a great show,” sophomore Ean Steidle, who played Scotty in “Scotty Doesn’t Know!” said. “It was an honor to be a part of something so special. I’d never been in a project like this in high school.”
The next category was something really special. The host explained that there weren’t enough entries for an official documentary category, but the audience had the opportunity to view A Year in the Life of a VUnited Scholar, which was created by the “Behind the Lens” class. The documentary offered an insight into the VUnited Scholars program. There were personal testimonies from several Scholars who shared the exciting things they get to be a part of at Villanova, as well as footage from the various trips and events the program has held over the last school year.
The audience was in high spirits after the documentary, which was fortunate considering Horror was the next category for viewing. This was the second-largest category, with five films in contention: Don’t Go In There, Sleepwalker, Doortals, Out Of This World and Get Help. Every one of these films successfully unsettled the audience, often employing confusing storylines, sudden jump scares and even some dark humor to haunt the minds of viewers. The first of these films, Don’t Go In There, was notable as it is the filmmakers’ worst fear brought to life. In it, a student filmmaker committed to his editing realizes as he sits in a studio alone that the very scenes he is constructing are happening to him.
The final and possibly most anticipated category was comedy. There were three entries: RUCKUS, One Wild Night and The Real Frat Bros of Villanova. All three were hilarious (and more than slightly ridiculous) and the audience was ready to laugh. The most exciting part of this category was the official premiere of The Real Frat Bros of Villanova, a short film by senior Noel B. Doherty and junior Kevin Keane. Advertised across social media in the weeks leading up to the Villys, there were surely high expectations on the film. This spoof on a reality TV show follows the frat brothers of Alpha Sigma Sigma as they prepare to host their first party after their reinstatement on campus. The short film pokes harmless fun at Greek Life, perfectly encapsulating the essence of bad reality TV.
“It was awesome,” sophomore PJ Gruskin said after the show. “It was my first Villys and it was hilarious. I was very impressed. There are very talented people on this campus.”
This sentiment was shared by many in the audience after they emerged from the over three-hour long affair. The event officially ended with awards. They were given out as follows: Best Cinematography – Lock. In., Best Direction – Nine Going on Nineteen, Best Editing – One Wild Night, Best Screenplay – The Most Dangerous Game, Best Actor – Kylie Reeth as “Lauren” in Nine Going on Nineteen, Best Drama – The Keyboard, Best Music Video – “Scotty Doesn’t Know!”, Best Horror – Sleepwalker, Best Comedy – The Real Frat Bros of Villanova, Audience Choice – The Real Frat Bros of Villanova, Best Picture – “Scotty Doesn’t Know!”
“It was awesome to see the amazing range of talent among the Villanova community,” sophomore Pat Titzer said. “I was here to support my friends and they ended up winning Best Picture, so that was exciting.”
After an event full of excitement and accomplishment, every student involved in these projects should feel extremely proud of the work they put in to create such a great night for film.
