About the Festival

For nearly 30 years, the Western Kentucky University Film Festival, now the White Squirrel Film Festival, has showcased gifted student filmmakers in venues on WKU’s campus and in the Bowling Green community. Created in 1995 by Western Kentucky University professor Cory Lash, the festivities strive to recognize and nurture the talent of the next generation of filmmakers.

Festival Founder Corey Lash

Professor and independent filmmaker Cory Lash founded the WKU Film Festival in 1995. Prior to that time, as a student at Kent State University in the 1970s, Lash was an important part of the Kent Film Festival as well as the touring component of the Ann Arbor Film Festival. In addition, his work has been featured in the Atlanta, Chicago International, Cleveland International, Nashville and Cannes Film Festivals, among others.

Cory Lash retired from WKU and the WKU Film Festival in 2011.

Rules & Terms

FILM FESTIVAL RULES & TERMS

• For a film to be considered in the college category, it must be created within a WKU Film course or set of coursework by a currently enrolled WKU Film student.

• For a film to be considered in the high school category, the filmmaker(s) must be currently enrolled in high school.

• High school films must have been produced within the last two academic years. College films must have been produced during the current academic year.

• All films must be the original work of the filmmakers, and all filmmakers must have the necessary rights.

• By submitting a film, you grant Western Kentucky University permission to screen your film at the White Squirrel Film Festival.

• All entries must be either in English or subtitled in English. Foreign language films without English subtitles will not be screened.

• Only completed entries (including entry form, payment, and final film) will be considered.

• If accepted, the filmmaker is required to provide the festival a digital file (.mov, .mp4), for exhibition.

• Entry fees are non-refundable.

• By entering, you allow Western Kentucky University's White Squirrel Film Festival to use photos, posters, highlights or excerpts of your film (e.g. a trailer) for marketing and promotional purposes. You also agree to allow WKU Film to promote the following year's festival with the material listed above. WKU Film will never solicit or screen your film outside the promotion of WKU Film or the White Squirrel Film Festival without your approval.

• The official selections and screening schedule is at the sole discretion of the festival.

• You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee.

• If your film is selected, the film will receive 2 free full passes to the film festival for the duration of the film festival to be used however the filmmaker(s) choose.