By Staff Writer
Senior Cinema majors at McDaniel College premiered their original films during the annual McDaniel Cinema Showcase, held May 7 and 8, in Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science. Each student wrote, directed, produced, and edited a 20- to 30-minute narrative or documentary film as their final senior capstone project.
A total of 14 films were screened this year, making it the second-largest graduating class of cinema majors in the program’s history. The large number of films required the event to be held over two nights.
“We have kids that have graduated from this program that work in Atlanta, in New York, LA, some graduates that work at Netflix,” said Jonathan Slade, a professor in the communication and cinema department.
The showcase featured a variety of genres and topics, from psychological dramas to personal documentaries. Following each screening, the filmmakers participated in a brief Q&A with the audience, offering insight into their creative processes and the challenges they had to overcome. This annual event is free and open to the public, drawing students, friends, families and local film enthusiasts.
Slade explained that the cinema program embraces a wide range of storytelling formats — from news and documentaries to animation — as long as students are telling stories that matter to them.
The films that premiered at the 2025 McDaniel Cinema Showcase:
“Bells Are Ringing” by Carmela Vecchio
Documentary: Sports/Health [26 min]
An exploration of the negative neurological and psychological side effects of chronic concussions in football athletes.
“The LC Veterans: Admissions” by C.J. Bentzel
Narrative: Dramedy [22 min]
A new college student fears an explosive moment from his past might impact his future.
“Blessed Souls of Purgatory” by Nia Quiñonez-Kurnick
Narrative: Fantasy [22 min]
A girl with incredible powers tries to prove to her grandmother that she deserves her approval.
“Indecision Time” by Steven Angel
Narrative: Mockumentary/Comedy [23 min]
Ben Stillwater thinks his indie band has just hit the bigtime.
“L Take” by Aiden Chin
Narrative: Dramedy [22 min]
A chauvinist student is trapped by a witch and forced to listen to campus folks’ true feelings about him.
“Your Body My Choice” by Ben Wallace
Narrative: Psychological Horror/Thriller [27 min]
A college student’s future is shattered when an admirer uses a deepfake app, forcing her to confront the unraveling of her identity and sanity.
“Remembering You” by Em Kaiser
Documentary: Memorial [22 min]
Grief can be difficult to handle. Even worse when you barely remember the person. But stories can be extraordinarily healing. I hope you all learn about my father just as I have.
“You Need To Wake Up Now” by Nelly Ellis
Narrative: Psychological Drama [20 min]
When Tracey Pompell wakes up with amnesia, an aunt tells her she has no other family. But, all that changes when she receives a letter from the mysterious “Cori.”
“Blood, Sweat & Tears” by Bairon Flores
Documentary: Sports [22 min]
A chronicle of the journey of a UFC fighter.
“The Man Behind the Curtain” by Kyle Sarnowski
Narrative: Dramedy [23 min]
Late-night host Skip Phillips faces cancellation and holding everything together.
“Graduation” by Chris Dinunzio
Narrative: Psychedelic/Horror [22 min]
A student already struggling with graduating on time must combat being unknowingly drugged.
“The Universal Language of Love: College Edition” by Eileen Eslin
Documentary [20 min]
What is love and how do you find it?
“Hopeless Valentine’s” by Zoey Hunter
Narrative: Comedy/Romance [22 min]
Destiny, who hates Valentine’s Day, spends the day ruining it for everyone else.
