Wheeling University will host this year’s YWCA Ohio Valley Festival for Filmmakers of Color on Saturday, September 24. Six short films will be screened inside the university’s Troy Theater. Ronald Scott, Jr., director of cultural diversity and community outreach for the YWCA, center, is joined by Wheeling Black Student Union vice president Skylar Coogle, left, and president of the BSU, Brennon Reid, right. The screening of the film is free and open to the public. (Photo provided)
WHEELING — Filmmakers from four states will showcase their films on the Wheeling University campus during the YWCA’s third Ohio Valley Festival for Filmmakers of Color on Saturday, September 24.
According to Ronald Scott Jr., director of cultural diversity and community outreach for the YWCA, the organization partnered with the university’s black student union to host the event at the university’s Troy Theater located at the interior of the Swing Hall.
Scott said the Filmmakers of Color event is an opportunity for directors, writers or actors who identify as a person of color to submit films that “are diverse in nature and look at life through their eyes. By partnering with Wheeling University, it allows for incredible cultural exchange and provides students with a unique educational opportunity.
The festival will start at 6 p.m., when locals and students from the neighborhood can meet the directors. The screening of six short films will start at 7 p.m.
Over 50 films from directors and writers across the country were submitted for consideration. The seven selected to feature are filmmakers from Brooklyn, New York; Toledo, Ohio; Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Springboro, Ohio; Kent, Ohio; and Wheeling.
Brennon Reid, President of Wheeling’s Black Student Union, said, “The YWCA’s Filmmakers of Color event is a great way for University students to become more involved in the local community, while also creating an engaging way to students to learn and grow. ”
Scott explained that attendees of the event will have the opportunity to vote for the best films in four categories – best animation, comedy, drama and documentary. Two other awards — Judge’s Choice and YWCA’s Choice — will also be chosen. Scott said the public will receive instructions that evening on how to vote.
“We hope community members and University students will join us for this free event. I think the community will enjoy watching the films and talking to the filmmakers about the inspiration behind their short.
Wheeling University President Ginny R. Favede said, “Supporting culturally relevant community events expands our students’ learning beyond the classroom.
