Two films by Western Carolina University students – “Awakened” and “Strigoii” – were among the six shown in the Student Shorts I category at the recent Jacksonville Film Festival in Florida.
“Awakened” was directed by Erin Wagoner, a 2010 graduate of WCU’s Motion Picture and Television Production Program originally from Archdale. In the 18-minute film, which was Wagoner’s senior thesis project and involved fellow WCU students as cast and crew, the daily routine of a lonely workaholic is interrupted, leaving her awakened. Wagoner is currently pursuing a master’s degree in dramatic writing at New York University.
“Strigoii” was directed by Aaron Putnam, a 2009 graduate of WCU’s Motion Picture and Television Production Program originally from Asheville. In the 13-minute film, which was Putnam’s senior thesis project and involved fellow WCU students as cast and crew, a town is terrorized nightly by a mysterious creature. The film also was screened last year at the Sitges International Film Festival in Spain.
