Matthew Weener of Hudsonville Recognized for Film Project at Huntington University

2011 Oct 13

Matthew Weener of Hudsonville is taking the festival circuit by storm. The Toronto International Student Animation Festival has announced its decision to feature "Refresh," an animated film created by Weener and two other Huntington University students. This recognition marks the film's fifth festival approval.

"Refresh" deals with the disparity between people who are privileged and those who live without. Without delving into politics in any way, the film simply asks audiences to take a hard look at how people use limited resources and if there is any way to help those with less.

"I came up with the idea after feeling a need in my heart to help those without clean water," said Sean Cruse, a student on the project. "Water is essential for life, and I believe in Jesus' teachings to help those in need."

The following festivals selected to feature "Refresh":

• 2011 Stop Motion Magazine Film Festival in Los Angeles, Calif.
• 2011 Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival in Philadelphia, Pa.
• 2011 Toronto International Student Animation Festival in Toronto, Canada.
• 2011 Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, Kan.
• 2011 Columbus International Film & Video Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

"Making festival pieces was one of the goals we set for ourselves when building the digital media arts program," said Steve Leeper, associate professor of digital media arts. "It has taken a few years, but we're finally starting to see films like 'Refresh' reach a wider audience. This is a significant milestone for us. We tell our students from the beginning that being an artist and finding an audience is what we do now not just something to think about off in the future."

Weener is a senior Animation major at Huntington University.

A promotional photo from the film is available online at http://www.huntington.edu/News-Releases/Home-Page-News/HU-film-gains-international-success/?__taxonomyid=200. Click on the photo to open and download the high-resolution image.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its "Best in the Midwest" list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

For text of this and all Huntington University news releases, visit www.huntington.edu/news.