Student World Impact Film Festival

Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF)

Company type	Nonprofit organization
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	December 1, 2020
Founder	Mark Leschinsky
Headquarters	New Jersey, United States
Website	www.swiff.org

The Student World Impact Film Festival or SWIFF is an annual international film festival founded by Mark Leschinsky that focuses on showcasing films created by filmmakers with a strong emphasis on social issues. ^[1] It is the world's leading platform for broadcasting films for students. In 2023, the organization received the Diana Award for its commitment to humanitarian work in the arts. ^{[2] [3]}

Founding history

The Student World Impact Film Festival was first established in 2020 by Leschinsky with the goal of encouraging student filmmakers to tackle pressing social and environmental issues through their creative storytelling. ^[4] In March 2022, it was certified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ^[4] Since then, it has grown to become a prominent event among other student film festivals, attracting entries from young filmmakers in 149 countries. ^[5]

Mission

SWIFF is dedicated to promoting films that address and bring awareness to critical global issues. The festival aims to: ^[6]

• Empower student filmmakers to use their creativity for social change.
• Create a platform for open dialogue and discussion about important global challenges.
• Showcase the diverse perspectives and voices of the next generation of filmmakers.
• Encourage the use of film as a powerful tool for positive change in society.

Location

The Student World Impact Film Festival is based in the United States in the State of New Jersey. It has a Post Office Box in Waldwick, NJ. On March 11, 2023, the festival received the support and recognition of the Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy ^{[7] [8]}

Festival format

The festival typically runs for about a week, during which a wide variety of films are screened. ^[9] These films cover a broad range of topics, including but not limited to environmental sustainability, social justice, human rights, and cultural diversity.

In addition to film screenings, SWIFF often hosts panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, workshops, and other events that facilitate conversations about the themes explored in the films. Speakers are typically students from colleges or universities in the United States. In the past, SWIFF has hosted speakers from Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, Princeton University, and the American Film Institute.

This format enables attendees to engage with the issues raised in the films and encourages a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Winners

Mention of Jury

• 2022 : King Max, short fiction movie by Adèle Vincenti-Crasson ^[10]

Honorable mention

• 2022 : Appointment with Diego, medium-length movie by Lucas Morales ^{[11] [12]}
• 2023 : Eclipse, animated short movie by Léna Stein ^[13]
• 2023 : The Venus Chained , medium-length documentary by Guillaume Gevart ^{[14] [15]}

Finalists

• 2023: Fun and Games, super short film by Sam Amado-Mejia
• 2023: The Big Pelvis, super short film by Joseph Jeavons and Owen Swift ^{[16] [17]}
• 2023: No Chef, super short film by Kayra Aydin
• 2023: He'll Have to Go, super short film by Dylan Wylie

Notes and references

1. "North Jersey teen named a 'visionary' for starting an international student film fest". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
2. The 2023 Diana award roll of honour on diana-award
3. Prince William and Prince Harry Unite for Award in Name of Late Mother Princess Diana on people.com
4. "Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF) - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
5. by (18 October 2023). "SWIFF 2023: Global Storytelling thru Film – UVI VOICE 2.0" . Retrieved 2023-10-23.
6. "SWIFF Film Festival". www.swiff.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
7. "2022-23 Impact Report" (PDF). Student World Impact Film Festival.
8. "Prudential Congratulatory Letter from Governor Murphy" (PDF).
9. "Cine-Cardinals: Six Students Selected for Film Festival Screenings". UIW Main Site. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
10. "Prix et sélections en festival 2022 des films étudiants de la Femis". femis.fr (in French). 20 December 2021..
11. "Des films à l'honneur avec Philippe Hédoux". LePetitJournal.net (in French). 7 December 2022.
12. "Rendez-vous avec Diego". Prime Video (in French).
13. "Découvrez "Eclipse", le court-métrage d'animation primé au festival international SWIFF". france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/ (in French). 14 June 2023.
14. "Le film "Les Vénus Enchaînées" réalisé par Guillaume Gevart remporte une mention honorable au festival international SWIFF 2023". JustFocus.fr (in French). 16 July 2023.
15. "Nantes. Le réalisateur nantais Guillaume Gevart reçoit une mention honorable au SWIFF 2023". FranceLive.fr (in French). 19 July 2023.
16. Juarez, Lillian (2024-06-07). "Former Woodrow Wilson student to direct indie short film on Amazon Prime". Lakewood/East Dallas. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
17. Propes, Richard. "Movie Review: The Big Pelvis". theindependentcritic.com. Retrieved December 6, 2024.

Other websites

• (en) Frank Dzikunu’s ‘Kindness Right Back At You’ Nominated For 2023 Student World Impact Film Festival, on theghanareport.com
• (pt) Filme produzido por Marcela Coêlho, estudante da SP, é premiado pelo Student World Impact Film Festival, on spescoladeteatro.org.br
• (en) Finalist Award for Best Documentary Announced at 2023 Student World Impact Film Festival, on yorku.ca
• (en) "The Recess" nominated at Student World Impact Film Festival / 147th Official Selection, on stage32.com
• (en) Student’s submission earns recognition at Student World Impact Film Festival, on psu.edu

External links

• Student World Impact Film Festival at IMDb