The St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) successfully concluded its inaugural Film Festival, which featured 15 films and attracted nearly 100 attendees. Winners were awarded in three categories.
The SLPL Film Festival (SLPLFF) was held on December 14 in the Auditorium at Central Library, located at 1301 Olive Street.
The festival received 51 entries from passionate filmmakers. After careful consideration, SLPL staff selected 15 exceptional films to showcase—9 in the Micro category and 6 in the Short category—highlighting remarkable talent.
The winners of the 2024 SLPL Film Festival are:
- Best Micro Film: "dear you" by Fahad Albazi
- Best Short Film: "Vision" by Dan Parris
- Audience Choice: "Love You, Bye" by Gabriel Paul
“I was just finishing ‘Love You, Bye’ when I saw an ad for SLPLFF at the Buder Library," said Gabriel Paul. "It was my first time submitting to a festival and it was the library’s first time hosting one so we kind of did this for the first time together. Everyone involved was so gracious and kind. Whenever I had a question I would email Sam, and she would get back to me immediately. And the reception my movie got was overwhelming - especially because it was so personal. I’ve never felt more welcomed and supported as an artist."
"I've always loved telling stories and sharing my passion on the screen,” said Fahad Albazi, who won for best Mirco Film. “I also always loved the local library and the St. Louis community. When I saw that the SLPL was doing its first film festival, I had to participate. Sitting between talented and amazing filmmakers and watching our films together was an honor."
Sam, Creative Experience Resource Specialist at SLPL, created the SLPL Film Festival. Sam works closely with customers in Creative Experience each day who are working on films or are interested in learning more about video editing and production.
SLPL’s three Creative Experiences–located inside the Barr, Central and Julia Davis locations–feature state-of-the-art recording rooms where customers can create music and podcasts and computer workstations equipped with digital creative software, including options for audio production, graphic design, film editing, animation and game development. Customers also have access to virtual reality sets, 3D printers, laser cutters, large format printers, cricuts and embroidery and sewing machines.
"St. Louis is a hub for artists and creativity," Sam said. "St. Louis Public Library has already done an amazing job in acknowledging that by offering free makerspaces at three locations which provides a place for that art to thrive and grow. Hosting a film festival was an important next step, an outlet for all of that creativity that had been brewing in our city to shine."
Local filmmaker Dan Parris, who received an award for best Short Film, agrees that SLPL hosting a film festival was a logical fit.
"I was excited to see that SLPL was doing their own film festival," Parris said. "I know they do everything with excellence because my family regularly takes advantage of their wide range of services and I was aware of the cool resource that the Creative Experience was, so I knew the festival would be done with excellence as well. I was not disappointed especially since we had the honor of winning Best Short Film and received the coolest-looking award and best gift basket I've ever gotten for any film I've done. I only see the festival growing more in the future."
Beehler said the staff at SLPL are already busy making plans for the next SLPL Film Festival.
"We’re thankful for every one of the submissions we received, and we’re looking forward to hosting this again next year to share even more amazing films with the city, " she said.
