DECATUR, Ill. – Students in Millikin University’s School of Art & Creative Media recently took center stage during two film-focused events that celebrated storytelling, collaboration, and the vibrant community of student filmmaking on campus.
The annual Images in Motion Film Festival and the student-run 1901 Productions double-feature premiere both showcased the creative work of Millikin students while highlighting the University’s commitment to Performance Learning through hands-on media production experiences.
Held in May, the events brought together student filmmakers, actors, faculty, alumni, and community members for screenings, awards, and celebrations of original student-created films.
“The night was really a celebration of student creativity and collaboration,” said Johnny Power, Instructor of Film in Millikin’s School of Art & Creative Media and advisor for 1901 Productions. “Students are learning the language of filmmaking in the classroom and then immediately applying those skills in real productions.”
The Images in Motion Film Festival featured a wide range of student work, including narrative films, animation, graphics, cinematography, editing, and photography. The event also included a film poster and photography reception, allowing attendees to engage directly with student artists and filmmakers.
Among the evening’s top honors, John Wyatt earned both Best Writer and Best Director for “First Date,” which also received the festival’s Best of Show award. Other major award winners included Emma June for Best Talent in “Adagio,” Jillian Bacon for Best Animation with “The Nexus Zone,” and Hannah Uebinger for Best Art Direction for “For the Love of the Money.”
Just days later, Albert Taylor Theatre hosted the 1901 Productions premiere event featuring the debut screenings of “Sad Boy, Sad Girl” and “The Encounter.” The evening included a red carpet-style photoshoot and celebrated the collaborative efforts of student filmmakers and actors from across Central Illinois.
1901 Productions serves as Millikin’s student-run production company, offering students opportunities to gain practical filmmaking experience through collaborative productions and leadership roles. The venture is designed to bridge the gap between education and industry while helping students develop creative, technical, and professional skills.
Power said the University officially launched its film major after seeing growing student interest and recognizing the opportunities available through Millikin’s existing facilities, equipment, and student-led productions.
“We realized we had the facilities, the students, and the equipment to build something really special,” Power said during a recent interview on the Byers & Co. radio program. “1901 Productions became a huge part of that because it gives students real-world experience where the responsibility is truly on them to succeed.”
Senior film major Hannah Uebinger, of Monticello, Ill., said Millikin’s Performance Learning model played a major role in her decision to pursue film despite entering college with little technical experience.
“I hadn’t even touched a camera yet when I first got to Millikin,” Uebinger said. “Getting to jump right into classes while also joining the student-run company was magic. I was learning things in class and then immediately applying them on set with other students.”
Uebinger served as Co-Director and Line Producer for “The Summoning,” another recent 1901 Productions project, and was also recognized during the Images in Motion Film Festival for her art direction work. She said one of the biggest surprises about filmmaking has been discovering how many people and departments contribute to a single production.
“There are so many moving parts,” she said. “You sit through movie credits and realize every single role matters. There are entire teams handling things you never even think about as a viewer.”
That hands-on preparation recently helped Uebinger transition to professional production work during an internship opportunity on the feature film “Chili Finger,” which was filmed in Central Illinois and featured actors including Bryan Cranston, Judy Greer, and John Goodman.
Uebinger worked in the grip and electric departments during the production and credited Millikin’s collaborative environment for preparing her to contribute on a professional set.
“It was really cool to see how the things we do in 1901 translated directly into a professional production environment,” she said. “The equipment was bigger, the crew was larger, but the structure and teamwork felt very familiar.”
Power believes those kinds of opportunities are helping strengthen Central Illinois’ growing film industry while giving Millikin students valuable career preparation before graduation.
“As a student-run production company, 1901 Productions gives students a chance to experiment creatively while also learning professional expectations and collaboration,” Power said. “That’s exactly what Performance Learning is all about.”
