Rock Valley College students to host 12th annual short film premier on campus

August 1, 2022|By Mary Sisk|In Things to Do, 815 News, Rockford, Top Stories, Entertainment

“Avert” will premier at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4 in Rock Valley College’s Performing Arts Room, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford. (Photo provided by Jerry LaBuy/Rock Valley College)

By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rock Valley College students used the new City Stage Studios to film their summer short film project, and now they’re inviting you to watch their work.

The short film, “Avert,” is a class project for the summer mass communications motion picture production class taught by professor Jerry LaBuy and part-time faculty member Julia Moore.

“It’s kind of a modern noir film,” LaBuy said. “It’s really about these young guys that are in the gambling circuit that are trying to get a one-up on a more established gambler and all the things that happen during the game and after.”

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Audiences provide an important learning experience for students, according to LaBuy, who encourages friends, family and supporters to attend the screening.

“Having your work shown with an audience is invaluable. It’s part of the process and you really need to experience that,” LaBuy said. “That’s what we try and replicate with the screening on campus.”

The 12th annual screening will take place at Rock Valley’s Performing Arts Room on Thursday, Aug. 4 and an open house to tour the space will follow.

The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted premiers for the mass communications department, with this screening being the second event since spring 2020.