On May 22 at 7 p.m., the Underground Coffeehouse will transform into a student-run cinema as Western Washington University students gather for the return of the Five Minute Film Competition, hosted by Associated Students Arts and Music Productions Films.
Now in its third iteration, this competition challenges students to produce a short film between four and a half to five minutes long, including credits, based on a single, intriguing prompt: "Create a film about a character who comes upon something they aren’t supposed to see."
Submissions were due by May 19th at 11:59 p.m., and the screening event is free and open to the public. A panel of judges will evaluate these entries based on storytelling, creativity, technical quality and entertainment value, awarding $250 to the first-place team with additional prizes for second and third place. Each film must be made within the submission window, April 8 to May 19, and include captions, a content warning and proof of production date. At least half of each team must be WWU students, with a student serving as a group leader.
Rachel Silzle is a coordinator with AMP Films. They emphasized that aspiring filmmakers should not shy away from entering the competition if they lack experience.
“This is my second year coordinating film events at Western, and it’s always important to me that students feel accepted at any skill level, and they are all welcome to participate,” Silzle said. “We’ve seen some incredible films from people who’ve never picked up a camera before, as well as experienced filmmakers. Everyone brings something different to the table.”
One of the entries this year comes from director Carsh McClain and scriptwriter Nyx Tucker, who are collaborating on a noir-inspired thriller, blending horror and mythic themes. Their story follows the daughter of a world-famous archeologist who disappears after discovering a forbidden artifact. What begins as a search for her father turns into a psychological journey through memory, time and ancient forces.
“I’ve always wanted to be a part of the filmmaking process, but it wasn’t until I got behind the camera that I knew I wanted to direct,” McClain said. “It’s where I feel most alive collaborating, composing shots, telling stories visually. This project is the most passionate I’ve ever been about anything.”
Student filmmaker Carsh McClain leans in to fine-tune a shot during production in the Digital Media Center at Western Washington University, on May 7, 2025, in Bellingham, Wash. As co-lead on this Five Minute Film project, McClain brings his vision behind the lens to a suspenseful short shaped by collaboration. // Photo by Hailey Brown
For McClain, collaboration has been key. Working with Tucker, who has a strong background in writing and editing, has allowed both creators to refine their strengths and balance their creative perspectives for this film.
“Nyx has been an inspiration throughout this whole process,” McClain said. “I had the big-picture ideas, but they helped shape the story into something coherent and emotionally powerful. I’ve learned so much from working with them.”
Tucker, a Fairhaven student who discovered their love of writing through film and game storytelling, said this project has been a shift from their past solo work.
“I usually direct, write and edit everything myself, so it’s just been refreshing to just focus on writing this time,” they said. “Keeping it to five minutes has been challenging, but it’s pushed us to cut the story down to its core.”
Scriptwriter Nyx Tucker rehearses lines with the actors during production in the Digital Media Center st Western Washington University, on May 7, 2025, in Bellingham, Wash. As the writer behind this Five Minute Film project, Tucker helps the suspenseful short through on-the-ground collaboration and creative direction. // Photo by Hailey Brown
The Five Minute Film Competition isn’t just about finishing a film, it’s about showing up, telling a story — whether comedic or thought-provoking — and contributing to a growing film culture at Western.
The screenings will take place on May 22 at 7 p.m. in the Underground Coffeehouse.
For students who are thinking about entering the competition but feel nervous about sharing their work, Greg Youmans, an associate professor of Film and Media Studies at Western, offered some encouragement.
“It’s natural to be nervous,” Youmans said. “But the only way to build courage around showing your work is by doing it."
Hailey Brown (they/them) is a campus news reporter for The Front this quarter. They are a third-year visual journalism major with a minor in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. Outside the newsroom, you can find them taking too many photos, on the beach collecting sea glass, or with their nose in any book. You can reach them at haileybrown.thefront@gmail.com.
