For the first time in Tulane history, Tulane will host its very first film and arts festival. The Tulane University Film and Arts Festival will take place Feb. 20 and 21 in Freeman Auditorium and the Kendall Cram Lecture room in the Lavin-Bernick Center.

A screening of “Rudderless,” directed by William H. Macy, which is the beloved actor’s directorial debut will kick off the festival. screenwriter of the film Casey Twenter and Scene Magazine writer Micah Haley will discuss the film following the screening. A question and answer session will follow the screening. 

Saturday will be loaded with tons of excellent and exciting activities. An edgy short film entitled “Big Bad Art,” which premiered at the New Orleans Film Festival in October of 2014, kicks off the day. The film is hailed as one of the funniest documentaries ever to come bursting out of the art world. The story chronicles an irreverent artist trying to execute the art exhibition of his dreams in a Brooklyn, New York art gallery entitled “The House Party.”

A screening of “Una Vida” will follow “Big Bad Art.” Later, Brent Caballero, a casting director known for his work on “12 Years a Slave” and “Pitch Perfect,” will take part in the Filmmakers Panel at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21. He has worked on many films in the New Orleans area as well as various other locations throughout Louisiana.

The Filmmakers Panel consists of producer Ben Cannon,  actor Griff Furst, financial manager and producer Daniel Lewis and producer James Napper in addition to Caballero.

A short film showcase, featuring six Tulane University student films and a few prominent local shorts will also take place.

A screening of critically acclaimed film “Dear White People” will close out the festival. The Office of Multicultural Affairs, Students Organizing Against Racism at Tulane, and the Tulane Black Student Union helped to bring the movie to TUFAF. The film captures the current social atmospheres at many American universities. The winner of the student film shorts showcase will be announced prior to the screening of the film.

The TUFAF is an excellent opportunity for the creative people of Tulane to be given the chance to display their talent.

“It engages students who aren’t necessarily an art major, but who want the platform to showcase their work,” said Annie Heinrichs, one of the TUFAF curators and chief planners.

Heinrichs and co-founder Jack Nester both expressed their excitement and nervousness about bringing people in for the festival.

“The overall theme for the festival is something that tells a good story,” Nester said. “A celebration of the story, if you will.”

The event is free and open to the public.