Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition

Seth Yergin was the adult winner for his film “Summer.”

The winners of the Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition will be aired on WKTV Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 9 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 14, at 10 p.m.

The theme for the 2016 competition was “Michigan Flavor.” Each filmmaker was to make a film, no longer than five minutes that show their interpretation of Michigan Flavor.

There were two different groups for the competition, one for students under the age of 18 and one for adults over the age of 18. Three prizes were awarded at the screening: $500 judges’ award for best student film, $1,000 judges award for best adult film, and $1,000 for “Fan Favorite.” Audience members had the opportunity to vote for their favorite after all the films were screened.

Brennan Huizinga took home the student award and Fan Favorite.

The winner for the student category of this year’s competition was Brennan Huizinga for his film A Lake Michigan Sunset. Not only did Huizinga win the student category but his film also won the award for “Fan Favorite.” This is Huizinga’s second time submitting his films for the competition, his second time being in the top ten finalists, and his first time winning both of these awards.

The winner for the adult category of this year’s competition was Seth Yergin for his film Summer. This is Yergin’s first time entering the competition and he said he couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

Experience the magic of film during a night of friendly competition from professional, amateur and student filmmakers from around the state.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) (400 Culver Street) is hosting its 4th annual film festival, the Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition on November 5th at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10/students and $20/adults. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit sc4a.org or call 269.857.2399.

The jury-selected films compete for cash prizes. The audience at the competition will select their favorite film of the night, and the film with the most votes will receive a prize of $1,000.

“The competition is unique in that it requires a Michigan ‘flavor’ in the submission,” said Kristin Armstrong, SCA Executive Director. “For instance, a film could be shot in Michigan, include Michigan in the storyline, have a Michigan filmmaker or actor – something that adds a note of Michigan to the entry.”

This year, actor, producer and director Joel Paul Reisig will co-host the event. Reisig has produced such films as Horse Camp, Rodeo Girl,Small Town Santa, A Horse for Summer, American Scream King and many more. Reisig graduated from Hope College and is a entrepreneur who, in addition to his other job titles, also conducts seminars and workshops on “Be Your Own Hollywood.”

The money raised from the competition will go to benefit the SCA’s year-round free and low-cost programs.

The SCA has long included film as an art medium in its programming; it hosts a yearly Children’s Film Festival and in 2011 the locally produced and focused film Everyday People debuted to a sold-out audience. Most recently, the SCA served as the venue for WGVU Public Media’s Hometown Stories project.

The Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition event will air on WKTV television.