The seats in VTSU Castleton’s Herrick Auditorium were filling up with students, faculty and local residents, eager to see films they likely would never get to. 

It was the start of another International Film Festival, organized and hosted by communications professor Sam Davis-Boyd. The festival featured showings on March 11, 13, 18 and 20.  

These showings included the films “I Saw The TV Glow” (Jane Shoenbrun, 2024), “Perfect Days” (Wim Wenders, 2023), “All We Imagine As Light” (Payal Kapadia, 2024) and “Parasite” (Bong Joon Ho, 2019). 

Davis-Boyd said these films mean a lot to her and were chosen intricately based on their tones and themes.  

“Most of the films I chose to show were based on personal enjoyment,” Davis-Boyd said. “However, it is important to hear the voices of other people around the world and learn about the experience of others.”  

She explained how she loves hosting the international film fest annually and always hopes to “get folks to come out and see it.” 

Ruben Somda, a senior at VTSU Castleton, attended the first night of the festival and saw “I Saw The TV Glow,” a film that explores unique topics such as disassociation and gender identity. 

“It was a lot. I went in completely blind,” Somda said.  

Somda explained that this movie made them “relive moments” in their life.  

“I saw a lot of who I used to be when I was younger. As bad as those experiences were, I am relieved to not have to live through them anymore,” they said.  

This film analyzes two friends who share a deep connection with each other over a shared love for a show. The two main characters explore themselves and navigate their ways through their outcasted lives. 

Somda also talked about how having Davis-Boyd as a professor has helped them to express themself.  

“One of the things that has changed me a lot by taking Sam’s classes is how she helped me to make purpose and feel empathetic. She encourages us to make weird shit,” Somda said. 

Davis-Boyd mentioned hoping to be able to deeply connect with her audience during these showings, and based on reactions, she succeeded.  

As a member of the queer community, Davis-Boyd talked about her connection to “I Saw The TV Glow,” with struggle in gender identity. She explains that this movie may hold a deeper connection to “folks that are not cis.”  

Somda also expresses some of these same ideas.  

“If you haven’t been through a lot of it, it’s difficult to understand. I hope people watch this with an open mind, go through the feels, let it make them feel uncomfortable and sit with that,” Somda said. 

Jess Emery, another senior at VTSU Castleton, attended the Thursday night showing of “Parasite.” Emery said she loves the opportunity to attend showings – free of charge – with friends. 

“I wouldn’t of had the same viewing experience had I watched it on my computer in my room,” Emery said. 

Davis-Boyd expressed hopes of not only getting people to connect with these movies, but to connect with each other. Those who attended, clearly did.