"There were so many times when we shouldn't have made it," UAF Film Club President Paul Gentemann confides while sifting through a disarray of mini-DV tapes.  "But the [Film Club] survives.  It's a survivor.  Like something that needs to survive in hard-to-survive-in conditions.  That's us.  I picture a large pigeon-like creature.  Hulking, really."

Gentemann can tell you that it takes levity to survive the task of organizing one of UAF's premiere liberal arts venues.  After taking on the responsibility last spring due to the departure of previous media magnate Lou Logan, Gentemann is already showing signs of wear and tear. 

"I think I got a little too ambitious last semester.  I wanted things to go perfectly.  This semester's all about balance."

The UAF Film Club, fully formed (with the guidance of Pat Race) from the residue of the Alaska Renaissance Project in 2000, has seen its share of ups and downs.  "The festival has gone from a packed house at Regal Cinemas one year to half an audience at Schaible the next.  People forget, people get lazy, and sometimes, only sometimes, even we fall behind," says Gentemann.

The festival mentioned refers to a once-a-semester screening of all film entries by students, faculty, and the general public for the academic session.  Each submission is reviewed by club officials and potentially chosen for inclusion within the tightly crammed two-hour event.  Gentemann explains.  "Two hours is all people can stand.  Even if it's their own stuff up on the big screen, our folk tend to be easily distracted."

While originally intended as a more subdued collection of shorts, the Film Festival has grown far beyond initial parameters.  Today, the Film Club has sponsored over sixty works, locally produced almost thirty hours of entertainment, and even boasts its own feature length movie.

"We're trying to create more competition this time around," says an eager Gentemann.  In addition to the coveted Wooden Oscar (recognition for the most audience beloved film), the organization will be attempting a trophy system for a variety of categories (ex. Best Actor, Best Editing, etc.).  Gentemann continues, "We've tried all sorts of rewards.  I'd like to think that the experience is gift enough, but it's important for people to feel like their work is being acknowledged and respected."

In addition to awards, the Film Club will be looking to put the festival back in Regal Cinemas after a one-year hiatus.  Rampant price increases have been pegged as the cause of this prolonged leave.

"We're the only local group doing this sort of thing as far as I know.  They should be supporting us instead of us begging for a time slot to the tune of $600 or more," Gentemann challenges.  "Hopefully, with the help of Club Council and some creative fundraising, it should happen this semester."

The first meeting for the club, held last Friday in the Gruening Building, yielded a large number of first-time freshmen excited about the year's prospects.  "With the equipment gained from a recent TAB grant, no one has any excuse not to try their hand at filmmaking." 

Gentemann, looking wistfully into the sunset, leaves his parting adieu, "I'm not a perfect man.  I've touched things that make my soul ache.  I won't deny it.  But I have a camera.  And that camera is large and pretty.  Whatever path lies ahead for me, you can rest assured that it will be caught on film."

**The Fall Film Festival will take place on December10th.  For more information, contact fbfilm@uaf.edu or call 479-1272.  You can also visit the UAF Film Club on the web at www.uaf.edu/filmclu b

Comment on this story...