Fanshawe's advanced filmmaking students have been hard at work for the past three months, pitching, producing and editing short documentaries.

The films range in scope from London's tattoo scene to the lives of people with depression to a grandma navigating the digital world. Each film is seven to 12 minutes long. The subjects are "very diverse and unique," said Alysha Baynes, an advanced filmmaking student.

The students will be showing off their hard work at the first annual documentary festival on Friday, January 28. Each student pitched their idea for a doc in front of their classmates and professors. The top 11 ideas were chosen based on feasibility and the strength of the pitch, said Baynes.

Students were split into groups of four to produce each film, but according to student Brian MacDonald, "People were more than willing to help each other out."

Each film was shot over a threeday period. "We collaborated with the audio post-production students," said student Kyle Scott.

The documentaries represent the major project for this post-graduate program. "It's what we spent most of our time on," said Baynes.

The documentary festival is free to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated. All donations go back into the program to ensure Fanshawe will continue to produce fine filmmakers for years to come.

The film fesitval on January 28 takes place in Fanshawe's new high-definition theatre in room D1060 at 7 p.m. There will be the usual movie fare — soda and popcorn — available to munch on.

Keep your eyes open for the students' next upcoming film festival, which will showcase narrative stories, at the end of this semester.