File photoElliot Street

 

The annual Flash Film Festival will return to Meridian on July 19, giving the directors and their crew 60 hours to create cinematic shorts.

This year’s fest will feature three scholarship directors brought in from around Mississippi: Miles Doleac, Michael Williams and Jacob Marbis.

The Flash Film Festival is unique in that it is not a contest, but more of an opportunity for learning and growth for those in Meridian interested in film.

Elliot Street is a local actor, teacher and organizer for the event.

“The idea is to have the films made from 8 (p.m.) on Thursday to 8 (a.m.) on Saturday morning,” Street said. “The directors are hired from different parts of the state and the idea is to get locations in Meridian and get people interested in filmmaking.”

According to Street, the festival is a chance for Meridian to build a filmmaking community while also attracting filmmakers to Meridian.

Though there is no prize for the event, the directors, actors and crew can expect to receive a scholarship, which comes in the form of monetary compensation.

The scholarship money comes from grants via the city of Meridian and the Phil Hardin Foundation, which provided major support.

“Everybody deserves some kind of pay,” Street said.

Last year three films were produced, which are all available for viewing online:

“Broken Circle,” directed by Mardis; “Light and Shadow,” directed by Doleac; and “Royal” directed by Williams.

The three directors will choose three new scripts and create new 10 minute films in the span of less than three days.

This year’s films will be viewed at the historic Temple Theater in Meridian.

To get involved, email street at angelstheater@gmail.com.

The current directors are offered scholarships but others may still make requests to join the festival.

No documentaries are allowed and filming has to be done in Meridian.