Eastern will host its first Student Film Festival sometime during April before finals begin. The decision came following the Apportionment Board’s approval Thursday night of $3,500 for University Board’s upcoming event.

Students will be able create their own short films for the competition, and all participants will receive a door prize of some sort. The top 3 winners of the festival will receive a larger prize and possibly have a chance to be featured in larger film festivals, according to the UB presentation.

Approximately $500 of the $3,500 for the festival will pay for the prizes for the three winners, with the remaining $3,000 accounting for the movie and screen rentals.

“Movies have been such a successful part of University Board,” said AB member Eric Wilber. “This would be a good chance for students to showcase their talents and possibly move on to bigger venues.”

Fellow AB member Kayla Napue agreed.

“This would be a new dynamic fresh to campus, and would naturally attract students,” she said.

AB member Temetria Hargett thought the timing of the festival in April would be perfect because of its closeness to the completion of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

“It will be a chance to make a grand opening as to what Eastern has to offer,” Hargett said.

The allocation for the film festival was approved 8-0 with no abstentions.

The Student Senate will now have to approve the additional funds.

UB made its presentation featuring the past movies it had shown in Buzzard Hall. UB members said more than 400 students and community members showed up to the “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” / “300” dual showing.

Showings put on by UB are typically free and open to all students and residents of Charleston.

AB also viewed the presentation explaining the role of UB in the National Association of Campus Activities, as well as what UB members learn from the convention each year. UB members in attendance exchange ideas with members from other universities as a part of the convention.

UB’s presentation on the convention included its viewing of potential comedians and candidates who might come to campus for a given price, as well as how those candidates are scheduled and paid for.

Some of the comedians UB is considering are Kevin Bozeman, John Mulaney, Kyle Cease, and Jordan Carlos.