Missouri Western State University Theatre/Video is again hosting the Griffon International Film Festival, an independent film exhibition featuring short comedy, animation, and dramatic award-winning films from all over the world.

The Film Festival is a week long event every academic year. The event features invited filmmakers, their films and master classes. Entries for three levels and three categories are accepted. These levels will include non-students, students and junior students (K-12) in three categories: super-short narrative (0-10 min.), short form narrative (10-30 min.), and long form narrative (above 30 min.). The junior student category is screened during the week. ” International submissions may be treated the same, depending on the number of entries. After the events in the following weeks awards will be given to participants showing outstanding achievement. The featured filmmakers will judge, but not compete in the process.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who made this festival a reality. I would espeically like to thank the Missouri Western Institute Center for the Arts, Dr. Marilyn Hunt, Drew Ames, The St. Joseph News Press, SGA, Missouri Western State University Co-curricular committee, Jay Kerner, Deny Staggs, KQ-2 ABC, St. Joseph Public Library - East Hills, St. Joseph Film Commission, St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, Horseshoe Lake Drive-in, Commerce Bank, Missouri Western State University Foundation, The Mary Boder Foundation, The Regular Joe, Diane Lake, David Strohmaier, Randy Gitsch, Jon Moritsugu, Mitch Brian, Dana Andrews, Missouri Western State University's Department of Communication Studies and Theatre, and the many students who put their time into the festival.

Jeremy B. Warner
Griffon International Film Festival Director 2008