Cornerstone University

Cornerstone alumni Daniel K. Smith and Brad Porter’s two short films were chosen from more than 150 entries from around the world to be featured as one of 40 seen at the first Grand Rapids Film Festival held at Celebration Cinema North Aug. 26-28.

“Daniel and Brad are just the type of graduates we are striving for -; they make films with messages that really matter and they do it in a context of excellence,” said Pete Muir, assistant professor of media studies at Cornerstone who taught both students.

The two alumni started a production company called Red and Black earlier this year and are successfully competing with larger film companies.

White-Eyed Winter, a short narrative about a farmer with two children who finds a hurt stranger in his barn and the conflict that follows, was selected to be shown, and Checkers, another short narrative, which features two old men reminiscing about their younger years. The film won the Michigan Hospice Award.

In addition, two films that Dave Anderson, chair of the Communication and Media Studies Division at Cornerstone, conducted story consulting on will be featured during the festival. They are: a feature film, The Ultimate Gift and an animated film, Hermie and Friends: The Flo Show Creates a Buzz both directed by Rick Eldridge.

Muir will also sit on a panel during the festival titled “From Script to Screen: How Academia Can Help” on Friday, Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m at Celebration Cinema North.

“Cornerstone is well represented in all categories,” said Anderson. “This is a good testimony there is real value to our media students. That’s the proof of the pudding. Parents ask 'so, is my son or daughter able to get work (after they graduate)?. We know they can.”

Red and Black has worked with Christian organizations both locally and nationally as well as producing promotional and training videos for profit and non-profit industries.

The company has received six national awards for films and music videos this year.

“Being able to have various projects become successful is not only a testament

to the company, but for all of the local talent and crew that have worked alongside

Brad and myself,” Smith said in a press release.

Cash prizes will be awarded at the end of the festival.

For more information about the festival, visit www.grfilmfestival.com/ or the media studies program at Cornerstone, visit www.cornerstone.edu/academics/.