Davis Flash Film Challenge held in Sudwerks Brewery Co.

Everywhere Science facilitated its first Davis Flash Film Challenge last week 

By SAHAR SUMREIN — city@theaggie.org

On Saturday, Feb. 28, Davis community members assembled in Sudwerks Brewery Co. to watch Everywhere Science’s first Davis Flash Film Challenge, free of charge. Everywhere Science is a nonprofit dedicated to science education and communication. 

The event commenced at 7 p.m. with Craig Musburger, the president of Everywhere Science, explaining the prompt for the challenge. A month prior, the organization called for filmmakers of all ages, groups and creative processes to submit a 7-minute short film, the only guideline being the inclusion of an art installation in Davis. 

Filmmakers were given a four-week period to compose their projects and submit, with Musburger relaying in his introduction to the crowd that the challenge had received 20 completed films.

Musburger further explained the motivation for the challenge's instruction. 

“We thought it would be a really neat way to get people walking around Davis,” Musburger said. “There are so many choices, so many art pieces to choose from, that we thought everybody would be able to find one that spoke to them.” 

Support filled the screening room, with local residents taking their seats. Community businesses readily extended their support as well, with establishments like Davis Food Co-Op, Cultive Frozen Yogurt and Armadillo Music distributing vouchers and store offers to the participants. 

Davis’ own Arts & Cultural Affairs program additionally contributed to the challenge, directly collaborating with Everywhere Science to organize and support the event. 

“The city really supported us all the way, and they were great to work with,” Musburger said. “The Arts & Cultural Affairs Fund is just a great resource for the community.”

The top 10 films were presented at the event and were each recognized with distinctive achievements. Jonah Landry, Davis Senior High School student and one of the three audience choice winners, was awarded the “achievement in screenwriting” for his film “The Lack of Mackinac.”

Landry expressed his enjoyment in participating and having the opportunity to engage in something he is interested in. 

“I do film at Davis High School," Landry said. “I just love doing stuff like this. It was really cool to have this [film challenge] presented like this.” 

The event ended with a judges' panel deliberating and subsequently choosing a winner, 10-year-old Millie, with her short animated film “Misfit.” Millie also took home one of the three audience choice awards and was a recipient of an achievement in animation.

Millie's mother, Cheyrl, recognized the diversity of Davis being central to the community, as indicated by the turnout for the challenge. 

“That's one of the things I like about Davis, is that you kind of get a range of ages and people from all different parts of the community at events,” Cheryl said. 

Audience member Jill held the same perspective, attending the event with her family. She detailed the community's inclusivity through the wide-ranging film submissions and attendees. 

“It was very Davis, and I loved it,” Jill said. “It was people of all ages, it was students and people from the community, and it was just a really joyful, wonderful thing to see.” 

Written By: Sahar Sumrein — city@theaggie.org