IU Cinema will premiere 10 new student films 7 p.m. Saturday as Double Exposure 2026 brings together a cross-disciplinary collaboration between Media School filmmakers, Jacobs School of Music composers and Jacobs sound designers.
The annual showcase is the culmination of a year-long creative endeavor that began in the fall in Susanne Schwibs’ production class, then handed off to student composers and post-production audio teams in spring in Steven Thomas’ class called “The Dub.”
Scwibs’ class only has about 10 students per year, and Thomas’ class has a similar number. The main prerequisites for both classes are experience using tools that will be used in the classes, like camera or audio platforms.
The aim of the classes is to give students a chance to work in situations similar to those they may face within the film or music industries. Additionally, the classes aim to foster collaboration between students within the Media School and Jacobs School of Music.
Thomas said the project’s strength comes from forcing students to work beyond the boundaries of their own disciplines.
“It’s one thing to make a film or write music in a classroom,” Thomas said. “It’s another to hand your work to someone else and trust them to elevate it. That’s where the real learning happens.”
For many student filmmakers, Double Exposure marks the first time their work is screened publicly with a fully original score, a milestone which is rare to have achieved before they even enter the industry.
The films being shown Saturday night range from horror to comedy. Gracie Runge, a senior majoring in cinematic arts, wrote and directed her film titled “Game Theory 101.” Originally written a few years ago for a script writing class, she took the script and enhanced it for Double Exposure.
“Game Theory 101” follows a man who cannot handle game night, diving into his brain and showcasing the chaos within him and the night. Runge said she based the scene off an episode of Dan Harmon’s 2009 sitcom, “Community,” where the characters experience a game night that goes wrong in every way.
Her score was composed by Jacobs student Shmuli Myers, who created a wacky score Runge said enhances the film and fills in some of the quieter moments.
“I think a lot of things came across in the film, but there’s, like, some dead spots,” Runge said. “I feel like the music really just picked it up and kind of takes you.”
Another film premiering Saturday night is “Nostalgia is a Liar,” directed by Deo Akiode, a senior majoring in computer science and minoring in film and math. Akiode started the script this past July with Double Exposure in mind, crafting a drama that follows themes of nostalgia and the exploration of memory.
“Nostalgia is a Liar” follows a middle-aged man searching on a beach for a time capsule he and his son buried over two decades ago. Rummaging through the past leads him down a path of reflection and harsh honesty.
The scoring for the film was created by Jacobs student Donavan Walker, who took Akiode’s pitched inspiration of Sufjan Stevens’ work and created something new.
“The biggest message of the film, for me, is to be present,” Akiode said. “I know it’s kind of cliche, but like, the whole point of memory is so that you learn from it, not that you get stuck on it.”
Both Akiode and Runge said they are excited to showcase their films at IU Cinema and are glad to share their work with the community and see it on the big screen for the first time.
Double Exposure 2026 is a free event, only requiring a ticket which can be obtained at the door or for $1 online.
