Lee University’s cinema program recently hosted its annual “48-Hour Film Friendsy,” bringing together students, alumni, and guests for a weekend of creativity, collaboration, and friendly competition. The event challenges teams to write, shoot, and edit a short film within 48 hours, incorporating a specific prop, a line of dialogue, and a randomly assigned genre.  
  
The event was organized by Matthew Fisher, professor of communication at Lee.  
  
“The 48-Hour Film Friendsy fosters a spirit of fun, creative growth, and community connection — core values at the heart of LeeU Cinema’s mission,” said Fisher.   
  
This year’s Film Friendsy welcomed five teams: three teams of current Lee students, one guest team from Walker Valley High School led by AV teacher and Lee alum Ethan Evors, and one alumni team. Each Lee student team was guided by a community coach: Dr. Megan Moe, professor of communication; Jonathan Dukes, assistant director of Lee’s counseling center; and Jacob Opperman, cinema alum and media services staff member.   
  
After a weekend of work, the teams each successfully completed a short film. The screening and awards party drew approximately 100 guests. Each film was judged by a panel consisting of Dr. Jared Wielfaert, professor of humanities; Anne Marie Brendel, professor of theatre; and Dr. Jeff Salyer, Lee’s vice president for enrollment and marketing. The judges celebrated each team’s work and gave out two awards, the C.U.P. (Creative Under Pressure) Award and the B.F.F. (Best Frantic Filming) Award, to the highest-achieving films.  
  
Each team was randomly assigned a genre, given a lollipop as a required prop, and a line of dialogue: “Surprised, aren’t you? I knew you would be.” Films were judged based on creativity, use of dialogue and prop, overall storytelling, and technical skill.  
  
Dukes’s team won top prize with their film, “EXTRA! EXTRA!” from the historical fiction genre. Team members included Lee students Ainsley Donahue, Hannah Kendrick, Wes Moody, Joe Smith, and Bradley Stevenson.   
 
“Film Friendsy is so special for a film major because it’s adrenaline-inducing making a film in two days,” said Donahue. “You get to collaborate with people you might not have even talked to before or work again with familiar people.”  
  
The alumni team received the C.U.P. award with their project, “Sweet Sweet Magic,” from the fairy tale genre. The team consisted of Lee alumni Hal Arwood, Kaia Joi Bailey, Chris Glover, Kevin Glover, Jeffrey Nichols, and Jeremiah Ruff.  
  
For more information about Film Friendsy or Lee’s Communication Arts, call (423) 614-8341 or visit leeuniversity.edu/communication-arts.