Students Make the Most of Film Festival Experience

The class advertised ten intense days of movie-watching, which appealed to Nastereen Khandaker because she enjoys watching international films.

Khandaker is one of 12 students enrolled in a class called "Stony Brook Film Festival Films in Contexts" who will earn three credits for participating in the festival, which opened Thursday and runs until July 31. It's the first time such a class is being offered in the festival's 15-year history.

"This class is giving me the chance I never would have had" to interact with directors, producers, and actors, said Khandaker, a senior applied math and engineering major.

Professor Hans Staats, a Ph.D. candidate in comparative literacy and cultural studies who is teaching the class, said the students are required to write a paper, keep a journal for each film, and take a final exam. The class meets to discuss what they've seen and has additional access to interact with the actors, directors and producers attending the festival.

"To be able to see a film in a festival environment instead of a classroom" enhances the film watching experience, Staats said.

Sumreen Dar, a senior majoring in political science and Asian-American studies, is enjoying the class thanks in part to her teacher.

"[Staats] is a down-to-earth, cool guy," Dar said. "He keeps us really involved in the class."

The film festival continues today with feature-length , and feature "The Extra Man" and short "Pennsylvania NW" at 9:30. Advance ticket sales sold out for both shows, but limited seating may be available 15 minutes prior to show time.

"Lovely, Still" director Nicholas Fackler, "Worth" director Kathi Carey, and "Pennsylvania NW" director Robert Buncher will be on hand to represent their films at tonight's screenings.