OC alumni and students’ short film honored at international film festivals 

The film’s cast and staff have high hopes for more honors at future festivals.

October 11, 2020

One recent student- and faculty-produced short film created in the Oklahoma Christian University Communication Program continues to receive accolades and honors. “Assisted Living” is a story about an awkward college student that needs to find new living arrangements when moving back home was not an option. He ends up finding an unlikely hero in a cranky roommate at an assisted living facility. 

Starting in 2017, the film was developed and shot by students and alumni, during OC’s capstone course in advanced media. It was produced by David Jurney, instructor of communication, and co-directed by OC alumni Mitchell Allen and Kacey Engle. The film editor was alumnus Nehemiah Knox.

“I am really proud of the firm, and I think it’s our best work yet,” said Knox. “I really love enjoying people’s emotions as they get to the last sequence.”

“Assisted Living” was recently honored with two first-place awards for “Comedy Short” and “Oklahoma Soil Short” at the Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival. Jurney was shocked and honored with the two wins.

“It’s an honor to just be a part of such a great festival, but this is wonderful icing on the cake,” he said.

The film is nominated for several awards at the upcoming Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase on Oct. 8-10, the 20th annual Kansas International Film Festival, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 6-12,  as well as the prestigious Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival. To learn more about the film, visit its Facebook page here.