Animation Shines at the Nashville Film Festival

By Mason Salvatore

MTSU Raider Shakedown Reporter

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Film Festival offered artists a way of expressing themselves through the art of film making from April 13 – April 23, with the animation scenes beginning to break through the surface.

            One might wonder how the films are chosen or how the talent is found to make NaFF such a resounding artistic event. This is where Josh Escue comes in. As the senior competition manager of NaFF, as well as a Middle Tennessee State University alumni, it is Escue’s job to communicate with screenwriters and filmmakers and to set up the competitions in which they will be entering. One of the most favored among the people is the animated film event.

            Escue is a seasoned film festival veteran, and having been a part of NaFF for four years now, one could say he has earned his stripes. Escue praised NaFF for being an amazing opportunity for aspiring artists to express themselves young or old.

            “All of the industry professionals that come in for the festival, whether they are writers, producers or actors, are so passionate about what they do,” Escue said. “It’s refreshing to work with people that care that much about what they do.”

Escue added that artists who attend the festival are all very passionate about what they do, pouring all of their time and money into making their ideas come to life. Although passion and drive is a big part of being a successful artist, it is not the only thing one needs. Standing out from the crowd is what makes a film great. Re-creating already overused ideas or copying others concepts is a great way to be labeled as another mediocre filmmaker. Escue’s advice for aspiring filmmakers is simple.

            “Find your voice as a writer,” he said. “Every successful screenplay starts with a strong story. Without that, none of your technical and formatting expertise will matter.”

            The Nashville Film Festival spotlighted animated filmmakers with a special showing, “Animated shorts”. The family oriented event, included 2D and 3D animated films. Some were told by a narrator with rhyming verses, and others featured music without voices. The filmmaker’s demonstrated emotion and passion in every story that was told.

One of the most memorable films was “Moom”, an emotional story about a place where memories go to “let go”. The animation drew applause from the audience, and the story was a roller coaster ride of emotions.  “Moom” ended the show, inspiring fellow filmmakers to portray the same emotions through animated films as they did.

NaFF was founded by Mary Jane Coleman in 1969, but started under the name of Sinking Creek Film Celebration. It was renamed the Nashville Film Festival in 2003. A list of award winning films has been screened at NaFF such as “I Am Love”, “Ajami”, and “Dogtooth”. With all the great films being shown it is bound to draw the attention of some avid film buffs, as well as the stars. Celebrities who have visited the festival include Oprah Winfrey, Al Gore, Nicole Kidman, Brad Paisley, Mathew McConaughey, and Michael Moore. More information can be found on Nashvillefilmfestival.org.

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