West Liberty, W.Va., August 28, 2025 — West Liberty University’s Department of Media and Visual Arts will host the annual WLU 48-Hour Film Festival, a fast-paced creative competition that challenges student filmmakers to take a project from “script to screen” in just two days. The festival kicks off Friday, September 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the WLU Media Arts Lobby, with a public screening of completed films on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Waterfront Hall in downtown Wheeling.
“This is a very unique event for our community. It challenges students by pushing their creative and technical skills to create a compelling story with required elements in just 48 hours,” says Jared Thompson, Assistant Professor of Visual Communication and event organizer.
Sponsored by Wheeling Heritage, Pete Holloway, John Bonassi ’69, Connie Thompson, and West Liberty University, the event is open to all WLU students (any major) and area high school students. Teams will draw a genre, a required line of dialogue, a character profile, and a prop at the kickoff; all elements must appear in the final 6–10 minute film. Cash prizes will be awarded, including recognition for genre adherence and creative use of the required elements.
Registration is open through the kickoff (pre-registration preferred). Students can preview past winners—including 2024’s “Stay Dead” (College) and “The Silence of the Forest” (High School)—to see what’s possible in just 48 hours. Complete information and rules are available at https://westliberty.edu/media-visual-arts/filmfest/.
For questions, contact Thompson at jared.thompson@westliberty.edu or 304-336-5523
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
