Oxford Reels and SAA host second Digital Media Arts Festival

Oxford, Mississippi was alight with creativity on April 25, 2024, as the University of Mississippi Student Activities Association (SAA) and Oxford Reels hosted the second Digital Media Arts Festival. The festival was a platform for students to showcase their innovative works in the realm of short documentaries and experimental films.

A Supportive Environment for Budding Filmmakers

The festival, organized primarily by Arkasha McGinness, a sophomore film production major and president of the festival, provided a broad platform for film production students. McGinnes said, “We try to see how we can make an event where as many people’s work can be shown all at once and have an opportunity to see (other) people’s stuff.” The festival was an avenue that allowed them to exhibit their work, which was often overlooked in broader film events. The SAA was instrumental in enhancing the event visibility, providing popcorn, candy, soda, and managing crowd engagement.

The Variety at Play

Students welcomed this opportunity to display their work outside the scope of the annual Oxford Film Festival. The festival showcased an enormous variety of content throughout its duration, with films and productions representing different styles and mediums. A narrative named “Cina Tit” by Jacob Money and Corley Taylor highlighted the often amusing events surrounding high school theater productions while Emma Finlay’s “Where the Wild Things Are” utilized immersive sound effects combined with a traditional story. Madison Cannon’s “What Would Brian Boitano Do” revelled in the realm of animation with an engaging musical number, featuring animated figures.

Reception and Encouragement

The festival was characterized by supportive interaction between the audience, directors, actors, and filmmakers. Compliments were generously showered during the screening of short films or productions, and admiration was genuinely expressed for the directors over their body of work. “This is anyone’s opportunity to try it,” emphasized McGinness, advocating for Oxford Reels and the Digital Media Arts Festival as a haven for everyone willing to express their creativity through films.

In the backdrop of old plans being altered and new projects emerging in Ole Miss Athletics, the evolvement of campus dining options, and the omnipresence of Greek life culture, this Digital Media Arts Festival served as a refreshing creative outlet for the students and faculty alike, creating a vibrant and engaging aura sprinkled with the spirit of innovative storytelling.