This fall, the 4th Annual Below the Line Film Festival returns to the Episcopal Actors Guild (1 East 29th Street, NYC) on October 10–11, 2025, bringing with it a weekend of screenings, conversations, and inspiration for film lovers. While the festival opens Friday evening, all eyes are on Saturday, October 11, when the spotlight shines on Students’ Night — a special celebration dedicated to the next generation of filmmakers.
Created by Chill Bucket Productions, the Below the Line Film Festival is known for honoring the unsung heroes of cinema — the editors, designers, crew, and craftspeople who build stories behind the camera. This year, the festival takes that mission one step further by placing students at the heart of Saturday’s programming.
The evening begins at 6:30 PM with a panel discussion on Filmmaking on a Budget, featuring three acclaimed industry voices who know what it means to create with limited resources and unlimited imagination. VJ Antonelli, a producer and production manager who has navigated everything from big-budget shoots to micro-budget indies “held together with gaff tape and a prayer,” will share candid stories from the trenches. Colin Hickey, Chair of the Film and Television Department at Five Towns College and an independent filmmaker who has worn nearly every hat on a set, will bring both his creative and academic expertise. Rounding out the panel is Jay Michaels, founder of Jay Michaels Global Communications, an arts advocate whose decades-long career spans Broadway revivals, Cannes screenings, national tours, and multiple film festivals. Together, they will offer students the kind of real-world insights no textbook can match.
Immediately following the panel, the energy continues with a Students’ Night screening at 8:00 PM. More than a showcase, it is designed as a community-building experience — a place for aspiring storytellers to ask questions, exchange ideas, and imagine their future in film.
“Students’ Night is what this festival is all about,” says Chill Bucket Productions Producer Dakota Martin. “We want students to see that their voices matter in the film world, that the challenges they face are part of the creative journey, and that there’s a community ready to welcome them into the industry.”
The weekend begins on Friday, October 10 at 7:30 PM with a slate of brilliant, independent films and continues Saturday where students are at the center of the conversation.
 Tickets are on sale now at ChillBP.com, with limited seating available. Students are strongly encouraged to secure tickets early for Saturday’s events, which are expected to sell out. Single-night admission: $27Festival Pass (both nights + industry panel): $50 |
ARTIUM: OMNI 