Swarthmore was well represented at the 14th Annual Tri-Co Film Festival, with three students’ films featured as official selections and an alumna co-directing the event.

Held at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute (BMFI) and also presented online on May 6, the festival showcased exemplary film and media projects by students from Swarthmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr colleges. It featured work demonstrating creativity, craft, and intentionality across a variety of genres and aesthetics.

Among the 10 selected film screenings at the festival were three from Swarthmore students. One of them, Days of Our College Lives by Dilahan Cavusoglu ’28, received a jury award.

“I was and still am shocked, speechless, and honored,” says Cavusoglu. “This was my first-ever award at my first-ever film festival for my first-ever short film. I’m so excited about my future, and being a part of the Tri-Co Film Festival has only added to my excitement to continue creating.”

Gabriella Trevino ’23, who majored in film & media studies at Swarthmore, served as assistant director of the festival. Trevino works at Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia as its social media and promotions coordinator, and has recently screened features and documentaries for the Telluride Film Festival.

The program descriptions of the Swarthmore students’ films:

Days Of Our College Lives, Dilahan Cavusoglu ’28

“Two college sweethearts, Fiona and Todd, register into the same astronomy course but (oh no!) different lab groups. In her lab group, Fiona is paired with Jared, whom she starts showing interest in. Drama ensues as emotions swirl in this episode of acclaimed soap opera Days Of Our College Lives.”

Alien in the Mountain, Thomas Chen ’25

“Overwhelmed by the mundane life in the office, an international student tries to find aliens in the mountain.”

Ignited, Maya Estrera ’25

“Ignited is a peaceful tale that follows Devyn and Luna as they navigate the woods and the beginnings of their relationship. Relying on nature and an old camcorder to ease the tension, Devyn begins to open up to Luna. Under the cover of the trees, the two discover themselves and what it means to love.”