About
The Yale Student Film Festival (YSFF) is an emerging student-run short film festival, providing the opportunity for university-level filmmakers, both foreign and domestic, to exhibit their work.
YSFF takes place annually at Yale University in New Haven, CT. The three-day-long event will include feature film screenings, workshops, and panels led by Yale alumni in the entertainment industry, culminating in a competitive student block and awards ceremony.
Founded in 2015, the festival began as a collaboration between the Yale Film Alliance, Yale Film Study Center, Yale Film and Media Studies Program, Films at the Whitney, and the Yale College Dean’s Office to highlight the small, but growing community of filmmakers on Yale’s campus, who create work outside of a traditional film school environment.
The festival celebrates emerging student work from those taking the first steps towards a professional career, and aims to provide a platform to encourage conversation and camaraderie across schools and experiences. In the liberal arts tradition, we aim to bridge film with relevant social and intellectual issues.
The festival features three separate student competitions: the narrative film competition, the documentary film competition, and the experimental film competition. It will also feature a works-in-progress category, designed to showcase work in various post-production phases, and will be an opportunity to receive feedback from peers and professionals. The Yale Filmmakers Block and the Yale Thesis Films Block bookend the student screening and showcase work by our very own students. Filmmakers can submit their work on the YSFF Film Freeway page.
Inquiries?
theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com
Contact
Festival Co-Director Eli Berliner, Benjamin Franklin ‘26 |
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Festival Co-Director Gabrielle Burrus Bustamante, Benjamin Franklin ‘26 |
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Director of Programming Marissa Blum, Trumbull ‘24 |
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Assistant Director Emma Fusco, Jonathan Edwards, ‘26 |
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Publicity Chair Anna Kaloustian, Grace Hopper ‘26 |
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Publicity Chair Zoe Mohaupt, Silliman ‘25 I’m Zoe! I am sophomore in Silliman College and a History Major. I am so excited to be a part of the YSFF and looking forward to the big things to come! |
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Outreach Coordinator Dean Farella, Pierson ‘25 Dean Farella is a Pierson ‘25 student from San Diego, majoring in Film and Media Studies. He loves roller skating, swimming in the ocean, and watching flicks with friends! |
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Outreach Coordinator Cynthia Lin, Grace Hopper ‘25 Cynthia Lin is a sophomore ‘25 in Grace Hopper College double majoring in Art on the Filmmaking track and American Studies. Outside of YSFF, she is involved in the Yale Visual Arts Collective, the Cinemat, FUSE Magazine, WYBC Radio, and Communications and Design at the Asian American Cultural Center. |
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Event Coordinator Keya Gupta, Saybrook ‘25 |
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Event Coordinator Morgan Chen, Jonathan Edwards ‘25 Morgan Chen is a Sophomore in Jonathan Edwards College, majoring in English. She loves mountains and bookstores and films, and she is very excited to be part of the YSFF team! |
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Treasurer Eliana Cortez, Benjamin Franklin ‘25 |
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Graphic Designer Aanika Eragam, Trumbull ‘26 Aanika Eragam is a first-year in Trumbull College from Alpharetta, Georgia. Outside of going to the movies, she enjoys writing poetry, exploring the New Haven food scene, and learning new dance styles. |
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Partnerships Coordinator Julia Scher, Berkeley ‘25 Hello! My name is Julia Scher and I’m from Eugene, Oregon. I am so excited to serve as the Partnerships Coordinator for the Yale Student Film Festival 2022-2023. I’m class of 2025 here at Yale and I’m planning to double major in Anthropology and film. |