# SCAD Impresses Crowds at the Savannah Film Festival 2024, Bridging Students and Enthusiasts with Industry Experts

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) continues to reinforce its stature as a key player in the film and entertainment arena with the 2024 iteration of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival (SAVFF). Entering its 27th year, the festival has evolved into a significant destination on the Academy Awards festival circuit, attracting filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals to the delightful Hostess City of the South. This year’s festival was more expansive and engaging than ever, providing students and film fans with an extraordinary chance to connect with some of the brightest talents in the field.

## A Landmark Year for Films and Premieres

SAVFF 2024 showcased an astounding roster of 162 films, comprised of 123 narrative features, 31 documentaries, and 69 shorts. This included 10 world premieres and six U.S. premieres, positioning the festival as an essential platform for films that have yet to reach general audiences. The festival’s eclectic selection ranged from indie treasures to probable Oscar favorites, catering to all film lovers.

Some of the most eagerly awaited screenings included:

– **Blitz** — Apple Original Films (Director Steve McQueen)
– **Better Man** — Paramount (Director Michael Gracey)
– **The Brutalist** — A24 (Director Brady Corbet)
– **Emilia Pérez** — Netflix (Director Jacques Audiard)
– **Juror #2** — Warner Bros. Pictures (Director Clint Eastwood)
– **Nightbitch** — Searchlight Pictures (Director Marielle Heller)
– **The Piano Lesson** — Netflix (Director Malcolm Washington)

These films, many already stirring excitement within the festival circuit, received resounding applause and thought-provoking Q&A sessions, granting attendees an enriched insight into the filmmaking journey.

## Focus on Animation: Pixels and Pencils Roundtable

One of the highlights of the festival was the **Pixels and Pencils: Top Animated Contenders Roundtable**, held in partnership with *Variety*’s senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The panel featured directors behind some of the year’s most buzzed-about animated films, providing a sneak peek into their creative journeys and animation methods.

The films highlighted during the discussion included:

– **Flow** — Sideshow/Janus Films (Director Gints Zilbalodis)
– **Inside Out 2** — Disney and Pixar (Director Kelsey Mann)
– **Memoir of a Snail** — IFC Films (Director Adam Elliot)
– **Piece By Piece** — Focus Features (Director Morgan Neville)
– **Transformers One** — Paramount Pictures (Director Josh Cooley)
– **The Wild Robot** — Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation (Director Chris Sanders)

Director Chris Sanders particularly ignited excitement among the audience as he provided insights into his project *The Wild Robot*. The panel underscored the rising impact of animation in cinema, with several discussed films already regarded as leading candidates for the 2024 Academy Awards.

## First Glimpse: Wicked

A major highlight of SAVFF 2024 was the **First Look: Wicked** panel, which granted attendees an exclusive preview of two musical sequences from the upcoming adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical. The panel featured cinematographer Alice Brooks, editor Myron Kerstein, and costume designer Paul Tazewell, who revealed captivating aspects of their contributions to the film.

Brooks elaborated on the innovative use of color throughout the film, explaining her approach of utilizing “every color of the rainbow on clear resin walls,” where each hue held special meaning within the narrative. Kerstein shared that numerous emotionally charged moments in the film brought him to tears during editing. Tazewell discussed the complexities of crafting Elphaba’s signature black attire, experimenting with diverse fabrics and textures to ensure it appeared stunning against her green complexion and the vibrant backdrop.

Directed by Jon M. Chu (*Crazy Rich Asians*, *In The Heights*), *Wicked* is scheduled for release on November 22, 2024, and is already stirring considerable excitement as one of the most awaited films of the year.

## Broadening Horizons: Savannah Film Studios Backlot

Alongside the thrilling film showings and panels, SCAD unveiled the latest development in the **Savannah Film Studios backlot**, part of a three-phase initiative to enhance the university’s film production capabilities. The new 17,500 sq. ft. production and costume design facility is equipped with cutting-edge features, including sewing labs, an industrial garment conveyor, and expansive scene shops for construction, welding, and painting.

The backlot also showcases new sets, featuring a courthouse-style building, a mock subway entrance, and a 1950