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ESU student films selected for festival showing

HOMETOWN interest for: Andover, Marion, Shawnee, Kansas; and Maple Valley, Washington

by Brian Osbourn

Emporia, KS (01/15/2025) — Emporia State students' work will make it to the big screen when two student films premiere at the Old Times Not Forgotten Film Festival in Derby, Kansas, on Saturday and Sunday.

Kevin Rabas, ESU creative writing professor and director of the Donald Reichardt Center for Publishing and Literary Arts, mentored four undergraduate students from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in filmmaking independent studies that resulted in the production of these films.

The films, both short documentaries, were selected as part of a competitive process that can involve hundreds or more entries.

Emma Laskarzewski of Maple Valley, Washington, and Brooke Weiss of Andover were responsible for "Alicia & the Petroglyphs," a film that follows Kansas transplant Alicia Styles and her unconventional rural life that leads to the exploration and preservation of ancient petroglyphs in the Nevada Great Basin region.

"Kerry's 200," a film by Hannah Stubenhofer-May of Marion and Kennedy Eyberg of Shawnee, features Emporian Kerry Moyer's attempt to complete the Unbound Gravel 200-mile gravel bicycle race with uncommon results.

A third film, "Napkins," a collaboration with Emporia State's E-Ventures, is a narrative film that features ESU theatre students and a script written in Rabas' class.

"I offered the students advice when asked but I allowed the students to make their own decisions on how to structure the film," Rabas said, making it clear the students were in charge of their films' production. "They learned valuable editing and storytelling skills, and I'm proud of them. Very proud."

Filmmaking is a relatively new activity for Emporia State students - one that is expected to grow in the coming years. Rabas' course, English 587: Filmmaking & Podcasting, has approximately 17 students enrolled for the spring 2025 semester and will result in each getting hands-on, field study experience making a film.

The ESU student films are scheduled to show on Saturday, Jan 18.

For the full schedule and to learn more about the Old Times Not Forgotten Film Festival go to www.oldtimesnotforgottenfilmfestival.com

About Emporia State University

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

As the sole public university in Kansas to be recognized as a College of Distinction for eight consecutive years, ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.

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