WVU Parkersburg students watch and evaluate a film festival submission as they help select entries for the inaugural MOV Film Festival. (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG — In a classroom at WVU Parkersburg, the lights dim as a film begins to play. On the screen, a story unfolds from thousands of miles away. In the seats, students lean forward — not just as viewers, but as decision-makers helping shape an international film festival.

The inaugural MOV Film Festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday at WVU Parkersburg from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to the public.

For students involved in the inaugural MOV Film Festival the semester has become something far beyond lectures and assignments. It is a hands-on role in bringing a global event to life.

More than 1,000 films from 49 countries across six continents have been submitted, and students are at the center of the process — reviewing entries, debating their merits and helping determine which stories will be showcased. Students are also helping make final decisions on award winners, giving them a direct role in shaping the festival’s outcome.

For Digital Media Production student Jacob Walton, the experience has redefined what learning can look like.

“This is the first time I’ve ever been part of something this big,” Walton said. “You don’t realize how much work goes into something like this until you’re actually doing it.”

Inside the classroom, film screenings turn into in-depth discussions. Students analyze storytelling, production quality and emotional impact, often uncovering unexpected favorites.

“It’s not just watching films,” Walton said. “You’re breaking them down, comparing them and trying to understand what makes each one stand out.”

Integrated Marketing Communications student Destiny Foutty said the collaborative nature of the process has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.

“We watched submissions together on a projected screen and talked about each film in depth,” Foutty said. “We rated them and left comments, and it led to really great conversations. We even found hidden gems we wanted to feature.”

For Foutty, the festival also offers an opportunity to build skills that align with her future in the news industry.

“I love meeting people and asking questions,” she said. “Getting to talk with filmmakers will be really interesting.”

As the festival approaches, students are preparing to move from behind the screen into active roles during the event. They will greet attendees, engage with film makers with industry experience and help create an experience that connects the Mid-Ohio Valley to stories from around the world.

“I’m looking forward to meeting some of the filmmakers, including local creators,” Foutty said. “I’ve heard we even have submissions from Australia, which is really exciting.”

The experience also offers students a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to organize a large-scale event, from coordination to promotion to audience engagement, while also serving as a networking opportunity to connect with other filmmakers.

“There’s definitely pressure,” Walton said. “But it’s exciting at the same time because it feels like what we’re actually doing matters.”

For many students, the festival represents more than just an event. It is a first step into the kind of work they hope to pursue after graduation.

By placing students at the center of an international production, WVU Parkersburg is creating an opportunity to gain real-world experience without leaving the Mid-Ohio Valley. Faculty say the festival is designed not only to build technical skills, but also to inspire students to create new work and develop professional portfolios.

“This is how I pass it forward to the next generation,” said Cody Davis, an Integrated Marketing Communications instructor at WVU Parkersburg.