Everything Nac

Lights. Camera. Cannes.

Stephen F. Austin State University students from the hospitality administration and filmmaking programs traveled to France in May to participate in the 70th Cannes International Film Festival, which celebrates cinematographic art with various red-carpet events, workshops, seminars, film screenings and more.

SFA students worked at the American Pavilion, the center of activity at the festival for the American film community, and networked and engaged in various experiential-learning opportunities.

“Being able to network with like-minded people from around the country helps people become better filmmakers,” said Sophie Watson, senior film major from London, England. “Working the film festival also helped with career development for us as filmmakers because this is another way to get our foot in the door.”

Dr. Gina Fe Causin, assistant professor in SFA’s School of Human Sciences, coordinated this experience and also attended the festival.

“Experiences like this open the students’ eyes to how the hospitality and film industries function, and it also presents students with opportunities and possibilities for after graduation,” Causin said.

During the festival, students worked a fundraising event at the American Pavilion, participated in setting up and breaking down areas for various events, attended film screenings, walked the red carpet and more.

“I learned there is a realm of fields within hospitality and that the list of potential careers is endless,” said Alexandra Powell, Round Rock senior hospitality administration major. “I also learned how to flip a venue for an event and all of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it.”

Jade Godoy, Huffman senior hospitality administration major, said traveling to Cannes encouraged her to get out of her comfort zone and try new things.

“I never thought I would get the chance to visit France and attend the Cannes Film Festival. I wanted to get the most out of my experience, so I made sure to see and do as much as I could,” Godoy said.

When students weren’t working the pavilion, they had free time to enjoy the festival.

“I loved the film screenings,” Godoy said. “It was amazing to see the film industry from a different perspective, plus walking the red carpet was pretty magical.”

Tori Rice, a film major from Austin, had her short film “Helpless” accepted into the Short Film Corner of the festival.

“Once I got to Cannes, I quickly realized there was more to it than just having my film accepted into the short corner. I had access to private parties and special events,” Rice said. “I also enjoyed meeting producers and directors. It was great to see industry professionals become more interested in me as a filmmaker and not just as a student.”

Additionally, Rice’s and Watson’s short films were featured in the American Pavilion Short Film Showcase.

“This experience reminded me that making it big in the film industry will take time,” Watson said. “It taught me you should not be afraid to make that introduction, that phone call or that jump that could propel you to meet someone who could benefit your career in the long run.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be show business without celebrity sightings. The group saw many celebrities, including Elton John, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Karen Allen, Spike Lee, Barry Jenkins, Brittany Snow and Faye Dunaway.

Outside of the festival, students traveled to the Château de Bellet vineyard, the medieval village of Éze, France, and Ventimiglia, Italy.

Dr. Peter Csanyi, vice-chair for international relations and international projects, and Erasmus+ program coordinator in the Department of Political Science at Alexander Dubcek University of Trencin, Slovakia, is serving as the 2017-18 Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence program assists U.S. higher education institutions in expanding the program of academic exchange by supporting non-U.S. scholars through grants for teaching at institutions, according to the Fulbright website. Csanyi will spend a year teaching and researching in the U.S.

“When I received approval to be a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence, it was some of the best news in my life. It is recognition of my work, but also a big challenge and commitment toward students and colleagues at SFA,” Csanyi said. “I am very thankful to Dr. Michael Tkacik as well as all his colleagues, who were involved and worked hard to bring me to SFA.”

Tkacik, director of SFA’s School of Honors, has played an instrumental role in facilitating Csanyi’s visit to Texas. SFA’s departments of government and history also were central to supporting this visit.

“It’s not often that SFA has the opportunity to host a person like Dr. Csanyi,” Tkacik said. “I’m looking forward to his visit and believe he will teach us a great deal.”

Originally from Slovakia, Csanyi has lived in Vienna, Austria, for more than six years and is no stranger to SFA. For two weeks in 2005, he presented lectures at the university and attended a few classes his SFA colleagues taught.

“This experience changed my thinking and methods of teaching. The students and lectures really impressed me,” Csanyi said. “My stay at SFA was a milestone in my career. Since then, I have tried to use a combination of European and U.S. methods of teaching in my classes. I was positively surprised by the enthusiasm and interest of SFA students, and I wanted to have the same in my classes in Europe.”

Csanyi has been invited to various prestigious European universities to present lectures, including the University of Bologna, University of Valencia and University of Parma.

At SFA, Csanyi will teach two courses each semester in government and history concerning the politics of Central European countries, the transformation processes and politics of Russia and post-Soviet countries, the history of Central Europe before World War II and the history of Central Europe from World War II until present.

“SFA students’ enthusiasm and interest is very similar to their colleagues’ at universities in Bologna or Valencia. I expect lots of questions and long discussions,” Csanyi said. “The students will be the most important part of my work. I hope my work, experiences and European view on various topics will enrich my students.”

Additionally, Csanyi plans to make presentations in SFA’s School of Honors throughout the year.

Csanyi has a doctoral degree from Comenius University, one of the top universities in Central Europe. He lectures extensively across Europe and has received a number of grants. He is the editor of a journal and sits on the editorial boards of other journals. Prior to his academic career, Csanyi also played professional soccer for first and third league teams, including the top team in Slovakia, Spartak Trnava.

“I believe this is going to be very enriching because when you are in a new scenario, you are always open to new things,” Csanyi said. “I think it is going to be a great learning experience for me as well as SFA students.”