Movie enthusiasts, grab your popcorn for this one! The first annual Vertical Vision International Film Festival was held at Point Park University on October 5th. This free “showcase of vertical only films” was held in the GRW Theatre. Also, a large portion of ticket sales went to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank.
About Vertical Film
It’s rare to see movies shot vertically. This is the only vertical film festival in the US! “VVIFF aims to celebrate vertical format filmmakers and provide a stage to celebrate their creativity while pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling in the digital age.”
Through an email interview, Point Park student and sophomore screenwriting major Dani Chapman, talked about the differences between shooting vertically rather than horizontally.
“Shooting a film vertically would challenge many of the principals we stick to in film,” Chapman said. “Filmmakers often use what we call the “rule of thirds,” the idea that you should shoot your subject in the left or right third of the frame and keep the rest of the shot open. If you’re filming vertically, I can’t imagine you’d have that kind of space in the frame.”
There are challenges to shooting this way. “The main reason why we film in widescreen is so we can capture as much of the environment as possible, allowing viewers to be more immersed,” Chapman said. “So, if your frame is vertical, you have to think about it on a vertical plane instead of a horizontal one.”
She was excited about the festival and believed it is beneficial for film students. “I think people, especially cinema students, should definitely check it out if they can.”
Inspirational to Filmmakers and Students
In a press release about the event, festival co-director and cinema arts assistant professor Jason Georgiades talked about how the festival can be inspirational to filmmakers and students.
“The history of filmmaking has always been largely defined by innovation led by filmmakers with pioneering attitudes … Orson Welles challenged cinematic conventions with his opus Citizen Kane. I hope this festival inspires our student filmmakers to do the same. We’re grateful to our amazing staff and the Point Park community who support this event on all levels.”
Jason Georgiades
There were so many interesting films. According to the press release, “the event promises a diverse lineup of vertical only films dedicated to the 9×16 format from around the world: Ukraine, South Korea, Indonesia, Greenland, France, Italy, Ecuador, Taiwan, and the USA.”
Learn More + Future Events
This was a unique event to even the biggest movie fans. Visit Vertical Vision International Film Festival’s website to learn more about the event. Subscribe to their newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming events, updates, news, and more!
