The next generation of filmmakers have made it to the big screen.
On Sept. 24, The Screening Room hosted 10 From the Next Gen, a screening event developed by Noah Levac and Nathan Zhe, ArtSci ’26, in collaboration with NoZy Universe. Zhe and Levac collaborated on this event because NoZy Universe, which was co-founded by Zhe, is centered around platforming indie films and creators.
The 90-minute event screened 10 short films from up-and-coming filmmakers with a question-and-answer period at the end.
The evening began with an introduction from Levac, the event’s programmer and director of short-film Under the Light of the Harvest Moon. Levac told The Journal that during his film selection process, he wanted to give viewers a well-rounded viewing experience, which meant selecting a variety of genres, from coming of age to horror.
“I picked a few to start out with, people that I thought would say yes,” Levac said. “And then building out from there: what are we missing, what genres, to try and get a full experience for the audience.”
Most of the filmmakers went to Sheridan College for film school and made these projects for class since the production process is easiest with the school resources.
Compared to a 90-minute run time, there are many upsides to short films as a form.
“There’s a misconception that you can’t do a lot with a short, but I think if you play around with the right themes […] you can tell a much more concise version [of the story],” Alexa Thobo-Carlsen, director of I’m Sorry For Your Loss, said in an interview with The Journal. “Sometimes you just need to write a short.”
In some cases, the short format made the storytelling more impactful. Train Tracks, directed by Alex Darling, was a thriller that takes place in the woods. Although the story could have taken place over multiple days to draw out the plotlines and extend the run time, Train Tracks took place in one day, making it all the more chilling.
Community was a core aspect of the event. Since many of the presenters went to school together, not only were they all familiar with each other’s work, many were credited for their contributions on each other’s films.
“Filmmaking is such a group activity. You can’t do something like this without first having your community of people to make films with […] and then to be able to bring together an audience who actually wants to see it. It’s not something you can really ever do by yourself at any stage,” Levac told The Journal.
During the question period, many of the directors stated that they loved working on each other’s projects, particularly on I’m Sorry for Your Loss, which starred two cats, Gus and Tika, who were “a joy to have on set.”
These filmmakers are looking forward to what the future has to hold. Whether that is more short films, features, or television, they expressed during the event that they hope they can make something worthwhile.
If 10 From the Next Gen is any indicator of what’s to come, then the future of cinema is in good hands.
Corrections
A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Noah Levac’s name.
The Journal regrets the error
Tags
filmmakers, short film, The Screening Room
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