Westminster College’s School of Communication hosted the Titan Film Festival—Thriller Edition Showcase and Award Ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 20, with screenings of all 12 short film entries by student and community filmmakers.

“The festival is a great way for our students and members of the community to come together and express their creativity,” said Dr. Brittany Rowe-Cernevicius, assistant professor and chair of the School of Communication. “We’re really excited to see participation increasing each year.”

The guidelines for film entries specified that submissions must be five minutes or less, family-friendly, incorporate a required prop—an ice cream cone—and fit within or blend thriller-related genres.  

Entries were assessed for storytelling, use of the required prop, and creative and technical merit. Westminster College alumni Kelly (Matune) Currie ’13, Troy Jackson ’18 and Bethany Edwards ’23 served as judges.

Winners included:

Best of Show: “The Watchful Eyes” by Brittany Marburger and Madyson Treharne.

Marburger is a senior creative media production major from Evans City, Pa. Treharne is a junior creative media production and English double major from Burton, Ohio.

Best Newcomer: “The Tape” by Jacob Rhodes, Katie Rose Rankin, R.J. Scott, Matthew Fregly, Jean Garry Joseph, Ben White and Monica Curtis.

Rhodes is a sophomore broadcasting and sports communication major from Columbiana, Ohio.

Rankin is a sophomore creative media production major from Sewickley, Pa.

Scott is a sophomore broadcasting and sports communication major from Frederick, Md.

Fregly is a sophomore broadcasting and sports communication major from Plantation, Fla.

Joseph is a sophomore creative media production major from North Miami, Fla.

White is a sophomore broadcasting and sports communication major from Warren, Pa..

Curtis is a junior creative media production major from Harborcreek, Pa.

Best Use of Prop: “Crunch Time” by Linnea Funari and Ella Dombrowski (Wilmington Area School District Students)

Audience Choice: “The Candy Curse” by Brittany Marburger

This year’s award sponsors included Joy Cone, Golden Star Theaters and Westminster College’s Beyond the Quad Art Series.

The entire showcase of films can be viewed here.

For questions about the Titan Film Festival, please contact School of Communication faculty Brad Weaver at weaverbll@westminster.edu or Kandice Hartner at hartnekn@westminster.edu.

Pictured from top: Best of Show, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Prop

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