Be Moved, Thrilled, And Motivated By Student Finalists' Captivating Films In Fifth Annual IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival

CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IES Abroad, a leading not-for-profit organization providing access to 360 study abroad programs in 85 global locations, is pleased to announce the three student Film Festival finalists for its fifth annual IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival.

Students participating in the Film Festival produced their films based on their study abroad experiences around the world with IES Abroad. The Grand Prize Winner will be chosen by members of the public, who can vote for their favorite film on the IES Abroad Film Festival website, www.iesabroad.org/film-festival, now through Nov. 5 at noon CST. Viewers can also join and follow the Film Festival conversation across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by utilizing the #IESabroadFilmFest hashtag.

This year's finalists not only include extremely high quality, creative films, but Film Festival firsts. A moving music video with a completely original score, a fully scripted and produced screenplay that will leave you in suspense, and a grand tour of Auckland that will inspire you to buy a plane ticket to explore the other side of the world. The 2018 IES Abroad Film Festival finalists are:

• "Happiness Only Real When Shared," by Erik Patak | University of Rochester | IES Abroad Auckland, New Zealand, Fall 2017
• "One Night in Barcelona," by Penn Harrison | University of Texas at Austin | IES Abroad Barcelona, Spain, Spring 2018
• "Tangier to Casablanca," by Philip Baites | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | IES Abroad Rabat, Morocco, Fall 2017, Spring 2018

There were 96 films submitted by IES Abroad students, the most-ever submitted to the Film Festival. The films were viewed and narrowed down to the three finalists by a prominent jury of directors, editors, producers and screenwriters, all of whom are either IES Abroad alumni or film studies faculty from the organization's international Centers. Over a span of five years, more than 120 colleges and universities have been represented through 358 student film submissions, all documenting the various experiences at IES Abroad study abroad programs around the world.

Amy Ruhter McMillan, Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing and Founder of the IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival says: "Our Film Festival provides a platform for our students to authentically voice their global journey, and their life-changing study abroad experiences. Each year we are surprised, delighted, and inspired by the storytelling abilities of our students, but this year's films were unlike any we have seen in the past!"

Voting for the three finalist films takes place now through November 5 on the IES Abroad website, www.iesabroad.org/film-festival. Participants can vote once per email address, and all votes will be confidential until the winner is announced at the IES Abroad Film Festival Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Chicago's renowned Museum of Contemporary Art. IES Abroad will roll out the red carpet for the second year in a row with ceremony emcee Kate Flannery – best known for her nine seasons as Meredith, on NBC hit show "The Office." She will present the grand prize winner with a $1,500 cash prize.

"I just had to come back to Chicago to host the IES Abroad Film Festival for the second year in a row," says Flannery. "I loved last year's film festival so much, that I couldn't wait to come back and see the creativity and talent that have gone into this year's films!" 

Through these visual journeys, the Film Festival helps increase the awareness of the benefits of studying abroad to new audiences, as well as helps raise IES Abroad scholarship funds to send even more students abroad. 

In addition to students being honored for their films, IES Abroad juror and acclaimed motion picture writer, director and producer Willard Huyck will receive an honorary award for his renowned work in the film industry, and dedication and support of IES Abroad and its annual Film Festival. "I'm truly honored to receive this award. Judging the IES Abroad Film Festival has been like a final chapter in my own IES Abroad experience during my junior year in Paris. It was an experience that turned out to be a much more important part of my life than I thought it would be at the time, as it helped pave the way for my career and lead to me to receiving this fine award," says Huyck.  

Additional Film Festival information includes:

• Tickets to this year's event can be purchased on the IES Abroad Film Festival website - $20 for general admission and $7 for students
• It is encouraged to register and purchase tickets before Nov. 1, as the event is expected to sell out quickly
• This year's Film Festival is sponsored by Charles Schwab, GoAbroad.com, Lockton, Lucky Girl Brewing Co., Marquette Associates, Midtown Athletic Club, Portillo's and STA Travel
• Follow @IESabroad on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for #IESabroadFilmFest updates

For more information on IES Abroad's study abroad programs and the IES Abroad Film Festival, please visit www.IESabroad.org or www.IESabroad.org/film-festival.

About IES Abroad
Founded in 1950, IES Abroad is a global, not-for-profit academic consortium of more than 500 top-tier American colleges and universities. IES Abroad provides premier study abroad and internship programs around the world through IES Abroad, IES Internships, IES Customized & Faculty-Led Programs and The Study Abroad Foundation. With more than 360 study abroad programs in 85 global locations worldwide, the organization creates authentic global education opportunities for more than 9,000 students annually. IES Abroad has more than 130,000 alumni who have benefited from studying in IES Abroad programs since its inception and offers $5 million in scholarships and financial aid. Learn more at www.IESabroad.org.

About the IES Abroad Film Festival
Founded in 2014, the IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival is one of the first student-focused study abroad film festivals in the industry. Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, the IES Abroad Film Festival has provided students a platform to voice their global journey through their own words and video footage, capturing unique views into their life-changing study abroad experiences – showing what the experience meant to them and how it redefined their world. For more information, please visit: www.iesabroad.org/film-festival.

Media Contact
David Viggiano
Mekky Media, on behalf of IES Abroad
[email protected]
(773) 580-9721

SOURCE IES Abroad

Related Links

http://www.iesabroad.org