The Sorin Reel Film Festival was held on Friday, Nov. 13. The date correctly communicated the air of the festival, as it was plagued by technical difficulties despite some great films. Junior Jon Wayne Martin and Senior Sarah Burkhalter hosted the festival, accompanied by free food and drink. It screened ten films from St. Edward’s University students and was held outside on Main Building lawn for the first time.

The winner of the festival was the film “Rush the Lion” by Senior Matt Benoit. It chronicled two friends’ revenge on neighborhood bullies, with a stylish workout montage and impressive original soundtrack.

“I worked on this film more than on any other in my entire life,” Benoit said. “We wrote it over a weekend, spent two weeks filming, and a month editing. It was really rewarding to win because of all the time we spent on it.”

“Cool It,” by Senior Scott Perry, received a runner-up award for its portrayal of the stereotypical “bro.”

“Usually we just kind of wing it… We had ideas on where we wanted to be, but any line we’d just improv it… there’s a lot of freeform stuff,” Senior Bobby Strobeck, who played the character Trav, said.

The other runner-up, “Boxes” by Sophomores Andrew Weber and Jake Killen, involved neatly packaged weaponry, portal-based time paradoxes, and an anarchic final speech.

The first film of the festival, “Press” by Senior David Delgado, was well-received for its humorous dialogue and unresolved ending.

Two films by Senior Yido Markovatch, “Dog Hump Jump” and “Vomitar,” were noteworthy for the waves of confusion and disgust they sent throughout the audience. The first starred several men and a dog at a pool—without a disclaimer promising the well-being of the animal, and the second was a slow motion clip of a man vomiting.

Technical difficulties abounded throughout the night, including audio problems, missing cables, and computer malfunctions. Only a couple of the films smoothly played from beginning to end. “Someone to Hold the Umbrella” by Sophomores Rebecca Luna and Adriana Montenegro was restarted more than 10 times. All of the films eventually played, and the hosts worked hard to keep the audience entertained.

“I’ve liked the festival for a long time, and I’ll never stop liking it,” Martin said. “We had a few technical difficulties, but that’s what we get for holding it on Friday 13. The filmmakers cranked out some interesting work, especially for a school with no film program… It was fun. I had a good time.”

The spring 2010 festival is currently being planned and will most likely be held in April. An official date has yet to be announced.