Lights, Camera, Learning: Radiance Cinema Brings Student Films to Life at Indy Shorts International Film Festival

Backstage of the Tobias Theater was electric with energy and anticipation as students milled about with plates of hors d’oeuvres, awaiting the start of a special world premiere event at Newfields, the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Friends, family, and faculty gathered to support and celebrate the achievements of these student actors and filmmakers. The students’ excitement was palpable as they prepared for audiences to see their short films for the first time.

Partnering with Heartland Film Ball State University’s Radiance Cinema embarked on a year-long Immersive Learning project in 2023, culminating in a triumphant showcase at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival in July 2024. This ambitious endeavor was a collaboration between the College of Fine Arts and the College of Communication, Information, and Media, bringing together a diverse group of student filmmakers and actors who poured their hearts and souls into every aspect of the filmmaking process.

Radiance Cinema, the brainchild of Benjamin Strack, associate teaching professor in the Department of Media, and Mark Cabus, assistant teaching professor of acting in the  Department of Theatre and Dance, was named after a flock of cardinals—Ball State’s beloved mascot—and began as an idea to provide students with a comprehensive, real-world filmmaking experience. The students devoted countless hours to writing, directing, filming, editing, and producing their short films—working tirelessly, often late into the night, propelled by their passion and commitment to their craft.

“This has been a fantastic experience,” said Mr. Strack. “Spending all of this time together and learning together—the students love each other and hate each other. It’s the human experience in its truest sense.”

The immersive nature of the project meant that student filmmakers were responsible for every facet of the production process. From scripting compelling narratives to scouting locations, managing budgets, and recruiting fellow students as actors, they experienced the challenges and rewards of bringing a vision to life on screen. This hands-on approach allowed them to develop technical skills, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities—crucial qualities for aspiring filmmakers and actors.

When sophomore acting major Kat Hawthorne showed up to a casting call offering free headshots, she had no idea this would lead to one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life thus far. Cast in the short film Coming Out For Real, she dedicated many hours over the next few months to help bring the story to life.

“I’ve learned more than I ever could have imagined on this project,” Ms. Hawthorne said. “The filmmakers learned from the actors, and the actors learned from the filmmakers. And there is no better way to learn than hands-on like that. I just loved the experience and am so grateful to have been involved.”

Ms. Hawthorne and other student actors and filmmakers had their own main films but also assisted in other films, assuming roles as extras and other needed jobs for filming.

“This experience has seriously changed my life,” said senior telecommunications major Boston Betz. “It not only broadened my understanding of the technical things, but it introduced me to so many passionate people who are still a big part of my life today.”

A Harmonious Collaboration

Proud Ball State alumnus and president of Heartland Film, Michael Ault, ’86, has strongly supported the students, embodying the spirit of paying it forward and creating opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers. The partnership with Radiance Cinema made perfect sense and aligned with Heartland Film’s values.

Mr. Ault assumed the role of president of Heartland Film in 2021 and has been with the organization since 2016. Since then, the festival has grown exponentially, attracting filmmakers and audiences from around the world and garnering attention from industry magazines like MovieMaker and AwardsDaily, recognizing it as a premier film organization.

Some of that growth is due, in part, to the Indy Shorts International Film Festival, which was created in 2018. That year, it split off from Heartland’s main 11-day festival and became its own event, occurring each year in July. This year, more than 5,100 short films were submitted for this Academy Award®-qualifying event, up 1,200 from last year. MovieMaker magazine recently named the festival one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.”

“We’re going into our seventh Indy Shorts festival,” Mr. Ault said. “It’s been really popular with our younger festival fans, who have grown up watching and creating short form video content on social media and YouTube. I was new to them not long ago, but now I am hooked.”

Community Engagement and Education

A key aspect of Mr. Ault’s vision for Heartland Film is its role in the community.

“We’re not just a festival—we’re a resource for filmmakers and an educational platform for audiences,” he said.

Under his leadership, the organization has launched numerous initiatives aimed at fostering a love for film and storytelling among people of all ages. From workshops and masterclasses to school outreach programs, Heartland Film’s educational initiatives have made a significant impact. And Radiance Cinema has been an exciting result.

“As Heartland Film grows, so do our community and educational outreach goals,” said Abi Lindstedt, community outreach and education manager at Heartland Film. “We value our partnership with Radiance Cinema and Ball State University for our mutual alignment in supporting and raising talented young folks in Indiana. I feel so proud of the students premiering their short films with us, having seen their growth in just the past year of this immersive learning partnership.”

For the students of Radiance Cinema, this project was more than just an academic exercise; it was a transformative experience—providing them with invaluable insights into the world of filmmaking and leaving them with a profound sense of accomplishment.

As the lights dimmed and the first film began to play at the festival, there was a collective sense of pride and fulfillment. They had journeyed together through the highs and lows of the creative process, and now their work—eight films in total—was being recognized on a major stage. Radiance Cinema had not only achieved its goal of producing high-quality short films but also succeeded in creating a lasting legacy of passion, creativity, and collaboration.

Though they didn’t place in the competition, the relationships students forged, the skills they honed, and the memories they made will undoubtedly stay with them as they embark on their future careers.

“I am so proud of our students and of Radiance Cinema,” said Dr. Kristen McCauliff, interim dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media. “Experiences like these are why students choose Ball State.”