The work of most college filmmakers begins on their laptop screens, but at MediaFest, University of South Carolina students get to watch their films light up a movie theater.

MediaFest is a student film festival put on by the filmmaking division of Student Gamecock Televisions 1080c. It’s held at the nonprofit Nickelodeon Theater on Main Street.

“Media Fest is basically our own film festival at the end of the year to celebrate everything students have created and give them a place to screen their films,” said Elaina Erickson, co-director of 1080c.

Students work to make short films throughout the year, then apply to have them considered for MediaFest.

“We had 29 submissions this year, but only 10 films were selected to be screened,” Erickson said.

1080c is open to all students at USC, a majority of them majoring in media arts or film and media studies.

The group provides space and sometimes advice for students who want to make films.

While many of the students are in academic programs that involve filmmaking, Charlotte Baxter, co-director of 1080c, said it’s important to get practice with filmmaking outside of these courses.

“It’s really the only way to get hands-on experience outside the classroom that prepares you for the industry,” Baxter said.

Helping people make films is just part of what 1080c does. The other part is showing the films to peers and professors.

“It’s really important to allow students to have their work seen by other people and understand how audiences will react,” Erickson said.

Among the audience members at this year’s MediaFest was Dustin Whitehead, co-founder of Local Media Studios, a Columbia studio that works with students and local filmmakers.

Local Media Studios helped sponsor MediaFest while also promoting ways for students to pitch and work on their films.

“It’s great for building connections with professionals in the industry so students can get their foot in the door,” Baxter said.

MediaFest also offers a place for student filmmakers to connect with local professionals and other student filmmakers alike.

“It’s a really great community where you can meet people who share your interests and work on film projects together,” Erickson said.

Part of what makes this event so impactful to students is that the event takes place at the Nickelodeon Theater, Baxter said.

“Having something a student makes screen in a movie theater is just not something a lot of students get to experience,” she said.