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MidAmerica Student Film Festival

Arts & Humanities

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 9pm

Cunningham Center, Student Lounge

Free to MNU and high school students

Deadline: April 10th

Open to current MNU students and current high school students, the MidAmerica Film Festival offers young filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their unique voices and cinematic expressions in a setting meant to engage, encourage, and empower one another in a creative arts community.

Just want to watch the chosen films? The Film Festival is open and free to the public. All are welcome.

Submission categories: Comedy, Drama, and Documentary

Official Rules

Requirements for high school students may differ from those for college students. To ensure that your entry can be accepted, please make sure to reference the applicable requirements.

  • All submissions must run between three (3) and six (6) minutes in length, including credits.
  • All submissions must accompany a completed entry form.
  • Select the category (1- Comedy, 2- Drama, or 3- Documentary) that best fits your film.
  • All participants must either be a full-time student of MidAmerica Nazarene University (university category) or a current high school student (high school category).
  • Films must have been completed within the current school year of the festival.

 

The festival reserves the right to not screen all films received based on the number of entries submitted, quality of the work, adherence to the guidelines and code of conduct (see below), and/or the ethos of the entries.

Submission formats include a link to a digital download of the final video file attached to the submission form (via DropBox or Google Drive) or a flash drive containing the final video file in MP4 format or a DVD mailed to:

Professor Aaron Bohn
Digital Communications
MidAmerica Nazarene University
2030 E College Way
Olathe, KS 66062

All entries must be submitted and received by the approved deadlines to receive full consideration.

Films must be the original work of the applicants (including but not limited to all audio, video, poster art, music, sound effects, credits, etc.).

All films submitted must adhere to MNU’s student entertainment policies listed in the student handbook on page 7, point 9 “Entertainment”: MNU Student Handbook

If your film contains content that is not suitable for younger viewers, the filmmaker must identify this in their submission form.

Minimum Required Media Settings

  • MPEG-4 file (.mp4) with H.264 Codec
  • Video Resolution: 3840 X 2160p 24 fps (23.976)
  • Data rate: Target bitrate 20 Mbps, Max bitrate 24 Mbps (Using High encoding profile)
  • Audio: AAC codec, 320 kbps, 48kHz, Stereo
VIDEO: Basic Video Settings: Width: 1920 Height: 1080 Frame Rate: 23.976 Field Order: Progressive Aspect: Square Pixels (1.0) TV Standard: NTSC Render at Maximum Depth: This may be checked to render color at 32 bit for better compositing and visual effects. (Additional render time will be required. Use only as necessary.) Encoding Settings, Performance: Software Encoding (Computers with more robust graphics processing may give you the option for hardware encoding. It is recommended to use Software Encoding.) Encoding Settings, Profile: High Encoding Settings, Level: 4.2 Bitrate Encoding: VBR, 1 pass Target Bitrate [Mbps]: 20 Maximum Bitrate [Mbps]: 24
AUDIO: Audio Format Settings, Audio Format: AAC Basic Audio Settings, Audio Codec: AAC Basic Audio Settings, Sample Rate: 48000 Hz Basic Audio Settings, Channels: Stereo Basic Audio Settings, Audio Quality: High Bitrate Settings, Bitrate [kbps]: 320 Advanced Settings, Precedence: Bitrate

Digital Communication

Digital Communications enables students to discover their unique creative voices. It can guide them in utilizing technology best to facilitate their vision via hands-on experience and encourage them to express their creativity for the benefit of their culture and communities.

Theatre

At MNU we offer a comprehensive approach to theatrical training that stresses technical practices, performances, theater management, and academic courses to develop you as an artistic member of the performing arts. You’ll contribute to all productions, either as actors or as members of the crew.

Pioneer Football

Dr. David Spittal​

President

EdD; Educational Administration (Higher Education/Public Relations), Ball State University
MSE; Music, Ball State University
BS; Music & Art Education, Ball State University

Dr. David Spittal has been the president of MidAmerica Nazarene University since 2012. Under his leadership, the university is striving to reach the next level of God-honoring excellence.

Prior to coming to MNU, Dr. Spittal served as president of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C., from 1994 to 2011. During his 17-year tenure, the university experienced historic growth and expanded to five campuses and learning centers. His work led SWU to strengthen and build relationships with the local and regional community.

An influential member of the local community, Dr. Spittal serves on various councils and boards including the Council of Advisors of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trustees for the Kansas Independent College Association and Kansas Independent College Fund. He is a member of the USA/Canada Council of Education of the Church of the Nazarene.

He and his wife Donna have two grown sons and six grandchildren.

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Cleveland University-Kansas City Cooperative Program:

  • Accelerated pathway to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
  • Acceptance into Cleveland for all students who complete appropriate coursework at MNU with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
  • Specialized advisor for students of MNU who intends to pursue professional study at Cleveland.

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

  • Desire to pursue a career in Chiropractic Medicine
  • Major in Kinesiology

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

  • Complete an application to Cleveland 6 months in advance of desired entrance date.
  • Complete a minimum of 99 hours of an undergraduate degree at MNU.
  • Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
  • Complete all coursework as outlined in the agreement between MNU and Cleveland.

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@mnu.edu

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

  • Preference points on application into a highly competitive program.
  • Mission alignment between Southwest Baptist University and MNU.

To qualify for the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program  students must:

  • Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA.
  • Complete the GRE
  • Complete the PT application through PTCAS
  • Provide documentation of 40 hours observation in physical therapy.
  • Complete selected prerequisite courses with a minimum of “C” and a 3.25 prerequisite GPA.

Your adviser will work with you to ensure that you take the required prerequisite courses to qualify for this program.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@mnu.edu

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science cooperative program:

  • 3+2 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 2 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU and a bachelor’s degree from MNU, or
  • 3+3 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 3 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU, a bachelor’s degree from MNU, plus a master’s in engineering from WashU.
  • Combines the best of MNU with the strength of a top engineering school
  • Students participating in the 3+3 options receive a 50-60% tuition discount at WashU
  • GRE is not required for admission

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

  • Enter the program at MNU at the beginning of the freshman year through the application process
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or better in science and mathematics courses
  • Meet regularly with the MNU pre-professional committee

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

  • Complete all General Education requirements at MNU
  • Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of transferable college credit
  • Complete the following courses:
    • Chemistry: one semester of general chemistry with lab
    • Computer Programming: One course or certified proficiency in a high-level language
    • English Composition: One course or certified proficiency
    • Humanities and Social Sciences: At least 15 hours (see WashU website for specific prerequisites)
    • Mathematics: See WashU website for specific prerequisites
    • Physics: One year calculus-based physics with lab
  • See WashU website for department-specific prerequisites

To learn more about program offerings at MNU and degree specific prerequisites, visit engineering.wustl.edu/dualdegree

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Craig Masters at cmasters@mnu.edu

Give Online

To make a one-time or recurring gift, please use our secure online form. 

Recurring gifts are processed on the 10th or 25th of each month. You may modify a recurring gift at any time by calling our office.

Give Crypto

Why Do We Accept Cryptocurrency Donations?

MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation recognizes the growing significance of cryptocurrency in today’s economy. Donors may find it beneficial to make cryptocurrency contributions and should consult their tax advisor regarding how these donations may fit into their tax strategy.

Why Donate Cryptocurrency?

For donors in the United States, the IRS has classified cryptocurrency as a form of property. This means that when you donate Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, such as the MNU Foundation, you may be required to pay capital gains tax on donated cryptocurrency and still be able to claim a deduction for your gift. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation Gift Acceptance Requirements

In accordance with the MNU Foundation Gift Acceptance Policy, all contributions of cryptocurrency are immediately converted to cash upon receipt and cannot be refunded for any reason. While we are happy to honor requests for public anonymity, donors must identify themselves when making a cryptocurrency charitable contribution.

For more information, contact Associate Vice President Christa Jenkins at ccjenkins@mnu.edu or 913.971.3607.

Make your gift through our cryptocurrency partner.

Give Securities

To transfer securities to the MNU Foundation electronically via the Depository Trust Company (DTC), please provide the following information to your broker:

Charles Schwab

DTC #: 0164
Account Holder: MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation
Account Number: 4867-1893

It is our desire to appropriately acknowledge the generosity of our donors in a timely and accurate manner. To assist with the identification of your gift, please ask your broker to include your name and address in the DTC transfer instructions. In addition, please notify our Associate Vice President, Christa Jenkins, of your gift and intended designation via email at ccjenkins@mnu.edu or by phone at 913.971.3607.

As soon as a securities gift is received and matched to a donor, the MNU Foundation will send an acknowledgment letter stating the nature of the gift, the gift valuation date, and the gift valuation amount.

Give by Mail​

Checks should be made payable to MNU Foundation and the designation should be included in the memo line. Mail to University Advancement, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS 66062.

Employer Matching

Many companies and corporate foundations encourage their employees’ philanthropic efforts by matching their contributions to non-profit organizations such as MidAmerica Nazarene University. Some companies will even match the donations made by retirees and/or spouses, gifts of volunteering, or offer payroll deduction. In most cases, MidAmerica receives dollar-for-dollar matches. But in some cases, the company’s match doubles or triples the employee’s gift. Use the search bar below to see if your gift is eligible for employer matching!

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by
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