Jack Hall, a Feature Film Production MFA student at NSCM, recently had his film officially accepted into the 34th Florida Film Festival (April 11 – 20, 2025). The Florida Film Festival is an Oscar-Qualifying festival, premiering the best in current, independent, and international cinema. Through 10 days of 160+ films and first-class events, film lovers mingle with filmmakers and celebrities at the Enzian Theater.
The film he made for his Documentary Production class, Before I Forget, will premiere in the Florida Shorts program on April 19th at 12:00 pm at Regal Winter Park Theater and is eligible for the Best Florida Short award. It will be playing as part of Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts.
Hall’s documentary is about a young filmmaker that reflects on their negative relationship with the camera and how they must heal it for the sake of their loved ones. Hall’s inspiration behind the film comes from his own personal experience. “I have never been a photogenic person. For many years, I refused to take and be in photos, leaving the most pivotal period of my childhood scarce in memory. Even with photos from my parents at the time, I’ve more significantly left that period of time undocumented from my lens,” said Hall. “This film was an outlet for me to heal and reflect. It also helped me to show my friends and family that I was willing to grow for them, as my negative self-image has affected them as well.”
With Professor Betsy Kalin’s guidance and mentorship, Hall is thankful for all of the help and support she has provided on his journey. “Not only did she guide me through the filmmaking process in her class, but she also pushed me to actually submit the film to festivals. Without her, my film would not exist nor be in any festivals,” said Hall.
Film still courtesy of Jack Hall.
Written by Majdulina Hamed.
Published to Nicholson News on April 1, 2025.
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