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A Letter from a Previous Film Fest Winner

Samantha Stidham on stage giving her acceptance speech at the 2023 IES Abroad Film Fest
Sami Stidham
 April 3, 2025
Samantha Stidham sitting in the audience just after hearing that her film won the 2023 IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival

Dear Future Oscar Winner,

Okay, I’m actually here to talk about IES Abroad’s Study Abroad Film Festival, not the Oscars. But take it from a previous winner, different statues, same incredible feeling. 

In 2023, I spent the spring of my junior year in Barcelona, Spain with IES Abroad! I could spend all the time in the world telling you about how life changing it was, how it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and all the other cliche things you have undoubtedly heard about studying abroad. Even though it’s cliche, all of that is true. My life would certainly be different if I hadn't pressed that “submit application” button. Regardless, I’d rather tell you about what happened to me after. The good news for you is that some of the most amazing memories and opportunities from studying abroad can come months after you’ve returned home.  

When I found out about the Study Abroad Film Festival, I knew immediately that I wanted to create something. I graduated in 2024 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where I studied journalism and digital studies, and it was through my education that my love for film and storytelling developed. Not just watching films, although I would simply parish without my annual Lord of the Rings marathon, but creating films as well. Studying abroad is such a unique and personal journey, and the chance to tell my story wasn’t one I could pass up.  

Long story short, I made my film Take the Goggles Off, which explores how my time abroad taught me to see the beauty in all aspects of life, from the extraordinary to the mundane. Next thing I knew, I was on an all-expense paid trip to Chicago for the event. I wasn’t really expecting much fanfare or extravagance, but I was blown away by how much time and effort was put into just one night. Flashing lights, champagne, interviews, hundreds of people dressed in their best, a real red carpet, an afterparty that would put Hollywood to shame, and getting to see my film on the big screen, it was incredible! I truly felt like an A-list celebrity. And this year's finalists will win something even better: an all-expense-paid once-in-a-lifetime trip to Vienna, Austria for the biggest Film Festival yet!

Even now, looking back at that moment, with the award in my hands giving my acceptance speech to a crowd of 300, a $1,500 prize in my pocket, and all the media coverage and TV interviews that followed, it seems kind of surreal.

But that’s not why I did it, and it’s not what I’ll remember most — my film is a living souvenir and memory that I can look back on forever.

Don’t get me wrong, as a broke college student, $1,500 certainly doesn't hurt, and neither does a free trip to Chicago– or for you, maybe Vienna! But this opportunity is so much more than that. My film is a piece of art that helped me process and reflect upon my time abroad through its creation. A visual representation of what I learned, and how one semester changed me for life. It was a chance for me to share my experience, and my story, with so many others, and it was a huge confidence boost for a young creative stepping out into the real world. That is why I made, and submitted, my film, and it’s why I hope you create something too. 

So, my advice to you is this:

Samantha Stidham in Barcelona Spain looking out at La Sagrada Familia
Samantha Stidham in Barcelona Spain looking out at La Sagrada Familia

1.) Do it. Win or lose, creating something like this to reflect upon and remember your adventure abroad is invaluable.

2.) Be you. Your experience abroad is unique. Don’t get bogged down in telling a story you think someone else wants to hear. If you are genuine and authentic to yourself, it will show in your work, and people will want to watch it. Several of the previous winners, semi-finalists, and honorable mentions have been totally out of the box and unique. There’s been a spaghetti western, animated films, documentaries, music videos, you name it!

3.) Make your story stand out with a narrative. A compilation of beautiful imagery from a beautiful place is cool to see, but I want more. I want to know what you learned, how you changed, what parts of this world and its people you fell in love with, what struggles you faced, and how you overcame them. I want to know your story. 

Samantha Stidham in Berga Spain walking Barrufet the alpaca in front of a sunset
Samantha Stidham in Berga Spain walking Barrufet the alpaca in front of a sunset.

4.) Start early. Take it from someone who submitted their film with literally seconds to spare, don’t procrastinate. Whatever stage of this creative process you’re in (brainstorming ideas, filming, editing, etc.), give yourself, and your creativity breathing room.

5.) Film horizontally. So much of our media content is for platforms like Instagram and TikTok where vertical filming is king. It can be used in short films as well, but I would avoid it if you can. Go for those cinematic horizontal shots that will look good on the festival screen! Plus, the panel of jurors who reviews the films are used to seeing traditional filmmaking work. In order to wow them, fill up that entire screen!

Samantha Stidham looking out at a sunset in Rome.
Samantha Stidham looking out at a sunset in Rome.

6.) Film, film, and then keep filming. Get at least double the amount of footage you think you’ll need, especially B-roll! You don’t want to get back to your hometown, start editing, and realize you don’t have what you want. Tuning into your surroundings is a good way to do this. A spontaneous moment or small detail now could be exactly what your film needs later.

 

One small caveat I’ll add to this is knowing when to put the camera down as well. I love film, and it's a beautiful art form, but don’t forget to take some time to simply exist. Sometimes it’s better to experience things without a lens separating you from the world around you. It’s not always easy to know when to put the camera aside, but there is a balance.

7.) You don’t need fancy equipment. I filmed exclusively with my iPhone, no fancy camera required! You can use high-tech equipment if you have it, but if not, no worries. If you want more complex shots or angles, get creative. 

Samantha Stidham sitting under a tree in Madeira Portugal

I am so grateful to my 20-year-old self for not only taking the leap to study abroad, but for recording what I learned during my experience as well. So, whatever you do with your time, and wherever your adventures take you, share it! You never know who needs to hear your story.

I hope to see your film on the big screen soon.

Good luck, and happy travels!!

-Sami Stidham

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