International Film to Premiere May 5 at West Virginia State University Capitol Center

A short film co-produced by students and faculty from West Virginia State University (WVSU) and the University of Sharjah (UOS) in the United Arab Emirates will premiere Monday, May 5, at 7 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center in Charleston.
“#Camels,” is a film about three teenagers who are magically teleported from West Virginia to Dubai and the adventures they have along the way. The film pays homage to author Tom Robbins’ book “Still Life with Woodpecker,” about life inside a pack of Camel cigarettes.
In addition to the film’s premiere, the evening will serve as a “Retrospective of International Programs at WVSU,” according to organizers. Special guests will include Tekha Selim, a UOS student and the lead actor in the film, as well as Premila Mistry, the composer of the musical score for the film, which was performed by her elementary and middle school students from the E.L. Haynes School in Washington, D.C.
“We are so very pleased to be able to celebrate WVSU’s many international collaborative programs throughout the years,” said Dr. Robin Broughton, WVSU Communications Professor and the director and writer of “#Camels.” “We are so busy forming partnerships and involving our students in study abroad trips and partnering on projects all over the world, that I don’t think we’ve ever just stopped and celebrated all that we have done. That’s what this night is about.”
The evening’s events will be divided into “Past, Present and Future,” Broughton said, with a look at the history of international programs at WVSU; a discussion of the present, which includes the premiere of “#Camels;” and a glimpse into the future.
Media Studies graduate students Adam Stover, William Bumgarner, Mike Ramsey and Angela Neal joined Broughton and WVSU Communications Professor Dr. Tee Ford-Ahmed on the April 2013 trip and worked on the film alongside students and faculty from UOS to produce the film during a four-day shoot. Three teenage actors also traveled with the group and appear in the film: Keatan Broughton, Demetri Wolfe-Maris and William Bumgarner, Jr.
“While the focus of the evening is a celebration of our University’s strong international emphasis, I believe people will enjoy seeing the film as well, which includes some beautiful footage from Dubai and Sharjah,” Broughton said.
The premiere of “#Camels” and the rest of the evening’s events are open to the public. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.
The WVSU Capitol Center Theatre is located at 123 Summers St. in downtown Charleston.
For more information, contact Robin Broughton at (304) 951-7145 or rbroughton@wvstateu.edu.