Wayland Student Filmmaker Steps Into Spotlight At College Screening

WAYLAND, MA — A student filmmaker from Wayland got a taste of the red carpet last week, as her work hit the big screen in front of an audience in Worcester.

Bella Batts, a senior in the Screen Studies program at Clark University, showcased her short film “Dad’s Dad” during a student screening held on Wednesday, April 3, at Razzo Hall. The event was held in partnership with the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival.

The film is a "short student documentary about my Dad's Dad's life," as described on YouTube.

In the film, Batts said they referred to their paternal grandfather as "Dad's Dad." According to its opening sequences, the film serves as a conversation with Batt's father, Neil, about a "conversation he never got to have with" his father.

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The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, now in its 12th year, ran from April 2 through April 4 in Worcester. The festival is known for highlighting a diverse mix of independent films, ranging from student projects to internationally produced features, and serves as a key cultural event for the region’s creative community.

Other Clark University students, including Ricky Jessurun and Zoe Slot, and alumni Angel Rojas and Zeke Fairley, also presented their short films at the event on Wednesday.

The screening of student films helps bridge the gap between academic filmmaking and the professional world. Student showcases allow young filmmakers to debut their work in a more formal setting.

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