Some digital media production majors are one step closer to their Oscars dreams as their class films were screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival.

The chosen shorts were “Brain Eating Spiders,” “Fish out of Water” and “Solitude” and were screened during the festival’s Local Heroes Shorts.

Over 300 films were include in the 10-day festival celebrations, in addition to the Kent produced works.

Current senior digital media production major Emily Nuti was not present for the screening of her experimental documentary, “Brain Eating Spiders,” but the festival’s recognition has changed her perception of her work, where she now considers the emotion affect her films have on people.

Meanwhile Kent alumna and fellow festival entry Sophia Bruno received additional good news while she was attending April 4’s screening.

The news being her film “Fish out of Water’s” entry into the East Village New York Film Festival.

Bruno is not alone in her future film festival pursuits as Ryan Moore, another Kent submission and alumni, plans to work on another travel documentary, in addition to “Solitude” but focus on the Colorado landscape.

Associate professor Scott Hallgren entered Nuti, Bruno and Moore’s works into the festival, and plans to increase the number of future entries allowing more student works to receive both national and international recognization.

Nikki Gasiewski is a KSTV Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].