In the thin space within the Venn diagram between Thanos quotes and RA baby photos exists Mac Movie, Maclellan/Rymer Hall’s annual short film tradition. This year’s event saw high attendance from students across campus in addition to a few Hollywood stars such as Amanda Seyfried, Elijah Wood, Sarah Jessica Parker and John Mulaney—or at least their resident look-alikes: Addie Kashmier, Eli Dougan, Tori Thomas and Luke Cotta.
Distinguished from previous years, the event blended Mac traditions, like The Five Points’ triennial “Avant Garde” movie, with new innovations. This Mac Movie is also able to boast of being one of the most interactive in the event’s history. Hosts, Anna Macdonald ‘23 and Judah Dorsey ‘23, conducted the event with delightfully funny movie commentary, and included the audience with fun games like professor trivia or a try-not-to-laugh competition. Macdonald recalled her experience hosting, “I had a blast! By far the best round of movies I have ever seen, and I’m a senior!”
This year’s judging panel was also a blend of new and familiar faces. It was comprised of Professor Jeff Morton, Covenant’s Professor of Art and Art Department Chair with 22 years at Covenant, Professor Arwen Matos-Wood, the fifth-year Marketing Professor, Professor Michaela Kourmoulis in her third year leading the Sport Management Program, and finally one of this year’s newest members to the Covenant Community, Todd Bridges, the Coordinator of Intercultural Engagement.
Three main movies swept this year’s award ceremony. Chi Alpha’s parody of The Twilight Zone, The Chilight Zone: Five Floors Down, won third place and its star, Luísa Montiero-Oliveira ‘25, received recognition as Best Actress. Second place, along with the title of Funniest Movie, was awarded to 104 Days Before Graduation, a Suburbs take on the popular 2000s show Phineas and Ferb. Suburbs’s Grant Gray ‘25 also won Best Actor for his hilarious portrayal of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. He reflected on his role, “It felt like childhood bliss filming. I hope it takes everyone back to better days before finals and exams.” Not only did The Sutherland Society: Reckoning, a sequel to The Sutherland Society, receive the award for Best Cinematography and place first out of the eight competing movies, but it also won the People’s Choice award with a stunning majority of 44.8% of all votes.
Noah Sweatman ‘24, the Maclellan/Rymer Hall President, hopes that everyone was able to appreciate Mac Movie as a time to come together and enjoy Mac’s unique hall culture. “Making Mac Movie has been a stressor and a lot of joy. It has been really great working with the RAs and my Mac Cabinet. It is really fun to watch the movies and be a part of that creative process. It's really fun to hear the RAs' excitement about the movies and hear from the directors and the producers. This is my personal favorite event of the year. I hope everyone leaves enjoying it as much as I do and with an appreciation for what Mac does for the community.”
For those who missed out on the red-carpet event but still want to participate in the movie magic, keep an eye out for Mac Movies being posted to YouTube or you can message noah.sweatman@covenant.edu to watch this year’s feature films.