Oglethorpe University recently hosted the highly anticipated Last Looks Film Festival, a student-led showcase that continues to cement the university’s place in Atlanta’s thriving film landscape. Bringing together students, faculty, staff and the local community, the festival transformed Lupton Auditorium into a cinematic hub, where young filmmakers shared their artistic visions and engaged with industry professionals.

With Atlanta recognized as one of the country’s premier film production hubs, Oglethorpe students benefit from unparalleled access to top-tier studios, filmmakers, and media professionals. The Last Looks Film Festival takes full advantage of this proximity, offering students not only a platform to screen their work but also the invaluable opportunity to network with working film industry professionals who judge the festival’s entries.

This year, 30 student films were submitted across three primary categories: Narrative, Documentary and Experimental. Additionally, the festival featured a special category, “Capturing Culture,” designed to foster intercultural dialogue on campus. This unique category encouraged filmmakers to explore themes of culture and ethnicity, shedding light on the role culture plays in students’ personal experiences and identities.

A new addition to this year’s event was the “Audience Favorite” award, where attendees voted for their favorite films, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement. This new category allowed festival-goers to actively participate in the event, giving students the opportunity to see how their work resonated with their peers and the wider Oglethorpe community.

This year’s standout film was “Juliette,” directed by Emma Jean Scott and produced by Devlynn Miller, which earned both “Best Overall” and “Audience Favorite.” A poignant and emotionally rich short film, Juliette captures the inner thoughts of a young student as she recites a poem before an audience that includes the girl she secretly loves but cannot be with. The film resonated deeply with viewers, earning widespread acclaim from both the judges and audience members.

While Juliette took home top honors, the festival was a true celebration of all the talented student filmmakers who showcased their creativity, storytelling, and technical skill. The full list of winners includes:

First Overall: “Juliette” by Emma Jean Scott and Devlynn Miller
Second Overall: “Divided We Fall” by Paul Danner
Thirds Overall: “passing pictures” by Niya Young
Narrative: “Number One” by Brody Young
Documentary: “What is Home?” by Nina Melo
Experimental: “What is Symmetry?” by Megan Cobley
Capturing Culture 1st Place: “What is Home?” by Nina Melo
Capturing Culture 2nd Place: “passing pictures” by Niya Young
Capturing Culture 3rd Place: “childish (the movie)” by Sean Aroni

The Last Looks Film Festival exemplifies Oglethorpe University’s commitment to fostering creative expression and professional growth in the arts. With its growing reputation, engaged audience, and direct industry connections, the festival continues to be a must-attend event for aspiring filmmakers at Oglethorpe and beyond. As Atlanta’s film industry flourishes, so too does the potential for Oglethorpe students to make their mark in the world of cinema.