Dalhousie Film Society expands, aiming for record breaking premiere

The Dalhousie Film Society is set for its biggest semester yet, producing seven short films and planning a March 2025 premiere, co-founder Deniz Mutlu said, as new members and equipment drive record growth.

“This semester, we have so many new members, and I’m so excited,” Mutlu said in an interview at her Halifax home.

She smiled contentedly, wearing a cosy grey sweater, standing in a room that embodies her passion for filmmaking, displaying a film clapperboard, a projector, and a copy of The Wes Anderson Collection.

The society has expanded to 30 active members, including first-year to fourth-year students. There has been a major upgrade in filmmaking gear, allowing students to work with more professional equipment than ever before.

“For the first time, we have members with their own equipment, like video cameras and mics, which is a big deal for us,” Mutlu said. “We’ve mostly been using my photography camera, but now we have real video equipment.”

The film society was founded in 2023 when Mutlu and Allie Vahramian sat together in their dorm room, feeling overwhelmed by school.

“We both loved film and were surprised there wasn’t a hands-on society for filmmaking, so we created one,” Mutlu said.

The society has grown rapidly, gaining recognition for its student-led productions and expanding its team and resources.

Last semester’s black-tie premiere attracted 300 attendees at the Joseph Strug Concert Hall, including Halifax-based film producers, and featured a red carpet, Q&A sessions and live photography.

“Last semester was my first time in the film society, and at the big showcase, we got to show our films and watch everyone else’s,” said Lily Haydon, a third-year Dalhousie transfer student, in an interview at her home in Halifax.

“It really showed me how connected and supportive this group is,” Haydon added. “It brings together so many like-minded people who love making films.”

Co-founder Allie Vahramian echoed that sentiment.

“The most rewarding part is seeing members return each semester and reunite with friends,” Vahramian told The Signal. “Watching people from all aspects of the Dalhousie community come together to celebrate our members’ work was overwhelming.”

“Our filmmakers left feeling proud and appreciated, and the audience left feeling inspired.”

The society’s films have since been featured in over 20 film festivals, providing students with real-world exposure in directing, cinematography, sound, editing, and production management.

Each week, members participate in a step-by-step filmmaking process, covering everything from scriptwriting and storyboarding to filming and editing.

“Each week, we have writing meetings, storyboard meetings, filming organization meetings, eventually filming and then editing meetings, until we have fully created short films,” Mutlu said.

With increased funding and a larger production team, the society is finalizing venue details for its March 2025 premiere, which is expected to be its biggest yet.

“This time, there’s pressure,” said Mutlu. “We sold out our last premiere, so we have to do even better.”

For Mutlu, launching the society has helped define her career aspirations.

“It has essentially become its own small production company, and now I know that I want to pursue executive producing as a career,” she said.