Newhouse X VPA Film Festival

Co-Creator, Manager

What Did I Do?

The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications x College of Visual and Performing Arts Film Festival started as an idea from an Artist Representation class. Michael Bryan and I had been representing VPA filmmaker Mickey Maroulis throughout the semester, and as he prepared to submit his senior thesis film to festivals, we wanted to give his work and other student projects a real audience. That initial idea grew into something neither school had hosted before: a joint screening that brought Newhouse and VPA film students together.

We reached out directly to filmmakers across both schools to build the lineup and curated 12 films for the event. The venue was intentional. A student backyard was turned into an outdoor, drive-in style screening space with a projector set up against the house wall, a fire pit, popcorn, drinks, and casual seating. The goal was a communal atmosphere that felt like a celebration of student work rather than a formal festival environment.

On the night of the event, I helped with setup, managed the film order, and welcomed attendees as they arrived. With over 30 people in the audience and 12 films on the program, the event ran from 8:30 PM until the final screening, giving each film a true first audience at Syracuse University

Photos/Videos of Event