Unspooled Film and Animation Festival Returns to UW-Stout With Special Guest Zach Schy
film enthusiasts make new connections through the glow of the screen
Discover never-before-seen short and long-form film and animation, while connecting with members visitors, students, and more members of the Chippewa Valley in a welcoming, hometown atmosphere at the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival.
The film and animation fest supports emerging filmmakers and experienced storytellers alike. Returning for its third year in a row on May 10 and 11, attendees can expect content screenings from students at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, immersive workshops, and guest speakers, hosted by the university at Harvey Hall Theatre on campus (712 Broadway St. S, Menomonie).
The festival highlights project screenings from students at UW-Stout, immersive workshops, and guest speakers, with most screenings and events taking place at Harvey Hall Theatre. Beyond campus, horror film screenings will be hosted at Brewery Nonic (621 4th St. W, Menomonie) on May 10 at 9pm, and Zymurgy Brewing (624 Main St. E, Menomonie) on May 11 at 9pm.
Jonny Wheeler, the festival director and assistant professor at UW-Stout, has seen the film festival's development since its inception while attending the university as a graduate student. Then, a UW-Stout digital cinema course culminated in a showcase of its students' film and animation.
“We affectionately came up with the nickname 'Unspooled' to kind of connote the idea that we have these stories we want to tell — we make the stories (together) — and then we’re able to show these stories to each other," Wheeler recalled.
The annual festival features a guest artist who will interact with students preparing to enter film and cinema careers after graduation. This interactive approach aims to connect students with established professionals in their field, Wheeler said. Previous iterations of this festival have featured distinguished guests, ranging from industry directors (like Andrew Hunt) to renowned Midwest animators (like Ellie Nikoo).
Zach Schy (@SchyGuyy) emerged as a top candidate for guest speaker at this year's film festival due to the significant impact of his work on campus. Students were actively watching, drawing inspiration from, and attempting to emulate the 21-year-old videographer, photographer, and creative director from the Midwest, Wheeler said.
“I could see how students themselves were making videos and films sort of based on Zach's own videos and films,” Wheeler said. “He has a direct impact on what their work looks like and now he's going to be here to talk with those students and hang out with them.”
Filmmakers throughout the Midwest were invited to take part in the festival by submitting their films to an array of genre categories, the event webpage reads. Selected projects will be shown during the festival, with the opportunity to receive awards and recognition from “students and members of the local community.”
Film festivals, like Unspooled, offer a valuable platform to champion and delve into the creative possibilities of film and animation, Wheeler said. Attendees of the festival will have the opportunity to view exclusive projects, including a forthcoming Star Wars inspired short film.
This event promises a worthwhile evening for both film enthusiasts and those looking to make new connections amidst the glow of the screen.
A behind-the-scenes look at a UW-Stout production crew, led by Bennet Johnson (pictured), working on a short film that was screened at last year's festival. (Photo by Bennet Johnson)
Students are able to attend the Unspooled Film Festival for free, with sliding scale ticket prices available to community members, with one-day and two-day tickets ranging from $12 to $20. To purchase tickets to the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival, visit festival's official FilmFreeway webpage.
