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Students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville won top awards at the second edition of the Wildey Short Film Competition, held April 17 at the historic Wildey Theatre located in downtown Edwardsville.

“I am incredibly proud of our students. Their creativity, dedication, and storytelling talents stood out in their films,” said Suman Mishra, PhD, chair of the Department of Mass Communication.

The annual competition, hosted by Friends of the Wildey, a nonprofit organization that supports the historic Wildey Theatre, invites local high school and college students to display their short filmmaking skills. Participants included students from SIUE, Lewis & Clark Community College, Edwardsville High School, Metro East Lutheran High School, Father McGivney Catholic High School and the local community.

SIUE’s mass communication students, particularly students in the MC433 class of instructor Cory Byers, MFA, submitted and won across categories.

College/University category winners: 

• First place: Tom Drake (‘25), SIUE alumnus with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication - “No Second Chances”
• Second place: Annabelle Brown (‘25), SIUE alumna with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication - “A Hidden Agenda”
• Honorable mention: Aidan Keen, SIUE mass communications major - “A Twisted Tradition” 
   

Community category winners 

• Ian Smith, Edwardsville - “Glimpses of Yesterdays”  

Smith’s film included current and former SIUE mass communications students on the crew. 
 
When asked how his SIUE experience contributed to his growth as a filmmaker, first-place winner Tom Drake said, “Cory Byers and his Global Village classes are the only reasons that I'm a filmmaker. His mentorship, the school's equipment, and the class environment where I had to form my crews is how I learned everything I know today. Cory Byers teaching and the Global Village classes should be essential for all media production students.”

Brown added, “My time in the mass communications program at SIUE has played a significant role in my growth as a filmmaker. The students and faculty that I have been able to work with and learn from have challenged and inspired me to refine my skills. I’m especially grateful for SIUE’s media production classes, which allow for so much creative freedom and provide an environment where instructors genuinely encourage and motivate students. Being part of this program has been an invaluable experience.”

For Aidan Keen, the most memorable part of the competition was the festival itself.

“Of course making my film along with my classmates was a great experience,” said Keen. “But being able to attend the festival and celebrate not just myself but the other winners as well was great. Every selection in the college category was from a classmate of mine. Plus, I had to privilege of working on the productions of both films, including working as a grip for ‘A Hidden Agenda,’ and as the cinematographer and editor for ‘No Second Chances.’”

Looking ahead, the students have ambitious plans.

Drake is working on his third short film, “The Lesser Key,” a horror movie co-produced by Keen and Andrew Dalan. He is also writing his first novel, a fantasy piece.

Brown is interning with a local production company while continuing to develop her own films. She is excited to focus on personal projects while also collaborating with industry professionals.

Keen plans to continue filmmaking during his last year at SIUE. His co-production with Drake, "The Lesser Key,” is in post-production and they have an additional project in the works after its completion.

Mishra added, “To future students, I would say: Keep challenging yourselves, never underestimate the importance of your unique voice and creativity and seize every opportunity to share your work with the world.”

PHOTO:  Behind the scenes with SIUE mass communications major, filmmaker and second-place winner Annabelle Brown