Films by Gardner-Webb Students Selected for Cleveland County Arts Council’s 25th Real to Reel International Film Festival

Entries are the First from GWU to be Included in Event Scheduled for July 24-27 in Kings Mountain, N.C.

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Two films by Gardner-Webb University students are the first ever to be selected for screening at the 25th Annual Real to Reel International Film Festival, sponsored by the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby, N.C. “Wrong Number” and “Spiral” are among the 33 films that will be shown on July 24-27. Screenings begin each evening at 7 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m. at Joy Performance Center, 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain, N.C. Following the screenings, filmmakers will answer questions from the audience.

“We are thrilled that Real to Reel is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year,” observed Arts Council President Shearra Miller. “We are one of the few film festivals in North Carolina to have withstood the test of time. The quality of films has improved over the years and the excitement continues to grow. We are thrilled that some Gardner-Webb University students’ films are in the festival this year. It is always nice when local filmmakers are part of the festival and especially since Gardner-Webb has had a relationship with us for many years.”

Real to Reel garnered 125 submissions from the United States and 14 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Five additional entries were designated “Selection Committee’s Choice” and won’t be shown because of time constraints.

The Gardner-Webb students’ films will be presented on July 27 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Afterward, several of the students will participate in the Q&A panel discussion.

Aedyn Concepcion, of Anchorage, Alaska, co-directed “Wrong Number” and was assistant director on “Spiral.” He is a May 2024 graduate with a bachelor’s in communication studies and minor in marketing. Based on reactions from on-campus screenings, Concepcion thought the film had a chance. He was excited to learn that his first ever attempt at filmmaking won the favor of the judges. “Our professors really helped us and guided us in the right direction,” Concepcion shared. “We all learned as we went, and with the short time frame to make it all happen, it was stressful but rewarding. The biggest thing I learned was attention to detail. Focusing on the small things allows the more important things to run smoother.”

Carson Willoughby wrote the script for “Wrong Number” and was co-director with Concepcion. On “Spiral,” Willoughby was director of photography. Willoughby, of Pilot Mountain, N.C., is double majoring in graphic design and communication studies with a concentration in video/film and expects to graduate in 2025.

“The biggest lesson that I learned was the importance of the pre-production process—it’s truly what makes or breaks any shoot day,” Willoughby stated. “Before we even shot anything, we took a couple weeks just getting prepared to shoot; and without that, I feel like our films would have been sloppy and not put together as well. We spent the first couple weeks doing things like story boards, going through the script piece by piece, and many more things.”

Through the filmmaking class, Willoughby discovered an interest in the field and now hopes to pursue a graduate degree in video/film. “I feel like the real-word applications of our projects are also going to allow me to succeed after college,” Willoughby observed. “We are always working for a ‘client’ in our class, which is the exact relationship we will have in our future careers, and I couldn’t be more ready because of that.”   

Gardner-Webb Selections

‘Wrong Number’

• This five-minute comedy short was submitted by the students as a final project in their Intermediate Videography Course.

• Story: When the wrong number gets printed on flyers for a local musician, an unlikely clown gets his chance to shine. Only, in this comedy of errors, Silly Billy ends up walking into the wrong kind of celebration.

• Comments from the selection committee: “I laughed several times. Such a witty premise. The lead performance is wonderful and some of the one-liners are practically perfect. Just the right length for the ultimate punchline. Excellent comedy, especially for a student production.”

• Co-directors: Aedyn Concepcion and Carson Willoughby
• Writer: Carson Willoughby
• Cinematography: Aedyn Concepcion and Carson Willoughby
• Editors: Aedyn Concepcion and Carson Willoughby
• Assistants: Colton Ingle, Cheickna Sissoko, and Bryan Dunne

‘Spiral’

• A five-minute short mystery/suspense film, this entry was made by students from the Filmmaking course and filmed in the Italian Garden.

• Story: While on a first date in a cozy Italian restaurant, Kevin and Ava discover something unusual under their table. Where did it come from? And who put it there?

• Comments from the Real to Reel selection committee: “I think there is potential to turn this idea into a feature-length film. Understands the art of building tension and makes great use of the restaurant setting.”

• Producers and writers: Jessica Maloney and Dr. Chris Nelson
• Director: Easton Freeman
• Director of Photography: Carson Willoughby
• Assistant Director: Aedyn Concepcion
• Ava: Lee Reynolds
• Kevin: Noah Seip
• Server 1: Justin Roan
• Server 2: Emily Hopson
• The Man: Theo Drescher
• Courtney: Shira Edwards
• Camera Operators: Javon Bennet and Kobi Everett
• 1st Assistant Camera: Colton Payne
• Editor: Colton Payne
• Boom Operator: Tracy Miller
• Production Designer: Justin Roan
• Prop Master: Bradley Lail
• Costumes/Hair/Makeup: Shira Edwards
• Script Supervisor: Bethany Payne
• Production Assistant: Bethany Payne

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.