By Julia Sikora · Contributing Writer
The sixth annual Lux Mea film festival is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. This event showcases student films in Crawford Auditorium, followed by an award ceremony and a reception. It is well attended by students, faculty and community members alike, welcoming more than 900 guests last year.
Students in professor Bandy’s Special Events and Promotions class begin working on the festival as soon as the spring semester begins. Madison Barczy, a junior on the Lux Mea reception team, encourages others to attend the festival “for the experience! (It is) a night full of films ranging from documentaries to new animated films that are all student-produced, with a reception to follow.” The best part of Lux Mea, according to Barczy, is “seeing the whole campus community coming together to appreciate (everyone’s) God-given talents and skills!”
The theme this year is Life in Technicolor. Besides a retro-color palette displayed throughout the night, the theme will be emphasized especially in the introduction, taking the audience on a journey through the history of film.
The 20 selected films for 2026 include “150/250” by Brady Larkin, “Confidential” by John Hatzis, Zach Kappel and Contessa DiGuglielmo, “Crash Out” by Lily Beers, Ricky Andrews and Matthew Purucker, “A Dyslexic Quest” by Eli Hatfield, “Experiment #2” by Eli Hatfield, Gabe Bungar and Bella Costa, “Frenzied” by Lily Beers, “I Saved You One” by Julia Truesdell, “The Language of Worship” by Ellie Smith, “The Major Dilemma” by Lily Beers, Ricky Andrews and Reilly Martin, “Potato Rot” by Naomi Ng, Ellie Smith and Julia Truesdell, “Racing the Reaper” by Cana Severson, “Repulsion” by Matthew Purucker, “Road to Recovery” by Andrew Glasgow, Naomi Ng and Julia Truesdell, “Sprout” by Sydney Bredenberg, “The Suite” by Elika Weaver and Elise Schlemeier, “Stacy & Snuffles” by Zach Kappel and Eli Hatfield, “Stu-Tea” by Julia Truesdell, “Thrifty Thread” by Abigail Loiacono, “Vigil” by Contessa DiGuglielmo and “What Are You Running From?” by Ricky Andrews. The film selections span across a variety of categories, including narrative films, documentaries, super-short films and experimental films.
A panel of judges will award the films across multiple categories, including best actors, actresses, original score and more. According to the Lux Mea website, “our judges have helped shape the festival’s legacy, recognizing films that challenge, inspire and leave a lasting impact.”
Filmmaker Tessa DiGuglielmo hopes her films “inspire people (and) make people feel.” She is “of the belief that we are made in the image of a creator. As sub-creators, we are called to use our God-given talents to bless others.” DiGuglielmo recognizes that “the festival is not only a night of entertainment but also glorifies God and is ultimately for an audience of one (God) — that doesn’t mean we love the audience (any less)!”
Guests can purchase tickets on sale for $5 online or at a table in the Breen Student Union through Friday April 17. Tickets will be sold for $7 at the door.
