Outstanding films recognized ahead of indie streamer’s third annual celebration of student cinema

Independent streaming platform Mometu is making waves on the festival circuit with the announcement of its official selections for the 2025 Mometu College Film Festival. Now in its third year, the student-focused competition is quickly becoming a critical launching pad for young filmmakers, and a must-watch event for anyone tracking the future of cinema.

With 82 entrants representing 38 schools and colleges, early pre-selection titles include:

• Play, Then by Isabel Li (Claremont College)

• The Other Son by Caleb Ferguson (University of Central Arkansas)

• Gary and Milo by Liam Greenlee (Biola University)

• Sunday Dinna by Samantha Venturo (Savannah College of Art and Design)

• Keytar Bear by Kely Maloney (Suffolk University)

• Curtain Call by Will Mauricette (Ringling College)

• Home by Al Chang (Champman University)

Commenting on this year’s submission, 2025 entrant and last year’s Best Picture winner, Will Mauricette, said: “Curtain Call is my most personal film – a thank you to my younger self for having the courage to dream. Mometu gave me a confidence I didn’t know I had. Their has been life-changing, and I hope every filmmaker gets to experience that.”

Military veteran and MFA Editing candidate at Chapman, Al Chang, started directing just to have footage to cut, only to discover a deep love for the entire filmmaking process.

Commenting on his film HOME, Al said: “Every film I make is personal. It reflects something I’ve lived, observed, or wrestled with. With HOME, I wanted the audience to feel disoriented alongside the main character, to ask questions, and just go on the ride.

“Festivals like Mometu are a celebration of that hard work. As an indie filmmaker juggling school, family, and work, being pre-selected is a powerful reminder that the grind is worth it.”

Samantha Venturo says she drew inspiration for her film, Sunday Dinna from her real-life shift to veganism and her grandmother’s unforgettable reaction.

“This film is about more than food – it’s about family, identity, and finding humor in cultural clashes. As a woman filmmaker, sharing a personal story that resonates with others has been incredibly rewarding. I hope it reminds people that love and acceptance always have a seat at the table, even when your family thinks you're crazy.”

This year’s festival is backed by an impressive roster of sponsors: TCL, the global electronics leader known for its cutting-edge televisions, is the official Best Picture Sponsor; Insurgence, the bold production company formerly known as V Channels, s the Producer’s Pick; and streaming technology pioneer OTTera will sponsor the Audience Award. Additional sponsors include NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA), FilmUStage, Cutwater, and others soon to be announced.

“We started this festival to give emerging filmmakers more than just a platform, we wanted to give them an audience,” said Bryan Louzil, Festival Founder and VP of Business Development for Mometu. “Every year, we’re blown away by the creativity and raw talent of these students. This year’s early selections show an incredible range of vision which we can’t wait to share with our audiences.

“We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors. Their doesn’t just elevate the Festival but empowers the next generation of young filmmakers.”

To learn how you can sponsor and aspiring filmmakers through their festival journey, email us at [email protected] for our latest opportunities.

All selections are now available to watch on Mometu.

About Mometu

Mometu is a start-up streaming service, providing live and on-demand programming using innovative free ad-ed television (FAST) technology. Dedicated to the discovery of thought-provoking movies, documentaries, TV series, and live channels, what sets Mometu apart is its catalog of over 10,000 hand-curated titles – compiled without the use of AI – that bring greater representation to under-the-radar creatives and contains cult favorites that can no longer be found online.