“We just didn’t expect it at all.”

Hartley is a programming director for the first-ever Capital City Film Festival, or CCFF, which will showcase independent films throughout Lansing Thursday until Sunday.

Hartley viewed more than 150 video submissions as the first step of the CCFF’s selection process, which narrowed the list down to 48 comedy, thriller, drama, feature and short films to be screened at the festival.

Dominic Cochran, the CCFF’s co-founder, said he saw Lansing’s potential
to play host to an independent film festival that catered to a younger demographic.

“We saw a need and a market,” Cochran said. “There are currently no places to see independent films in the Lansing area — we just don’t think that’s acceptable.”

The festival will hold a student film competition and give cash prizes to the winners. Students from MSU, Lansing Community College, or LCC, and area high schools are involved, with 17 films eligible for the competition.

Cameron Laventure, an English junior, wrote and directed “Frank the Assassin,” a short comedy, with his brother and MSU alumnus, Brandon Laventure.

Their film will be exhibited in the student competition of the festival.

Cameron Laventure said it will be the first time the film is seen by a large audience, but he’s confident it will be met with a positive response.

“You get the immediate reaction of hearing people laughing at it,” he said. “We have something here that we know people are going to enjoy because we’ve seen people enjoy it already.”

MSU alumnus Peter Johnston also will showcase his work in the festival this weekend. He is the director of a documentary about medical marijuana in Michigan, which he began for a telecommunications class at MSU in fall 2009.

He also is the cinematographer for the drama, “Mr. Henderson,” which was written by his brother. Johnston said he believes his short film is relevant to today’s harsh economic times as it follows a struggling single father as he attempts a robbery to save his family.

“When my brother started the script, it was the start to the economic meltdown,” he said. “We thought it was just a very timely story.”

To Johnston, the film is not about competing; it’s about exposure.

“All we want is for people to see our film and be involved in the community,” Johnston said.

The festival also is showcasing work produced outside Michigan with films by students from New York University and Florida State University in the festival’s line-up.

The festival is funded by various local sponsors, which were thrilled to help out, Cochran said.

“We’re very confident (the festival) is going to grow because of that response (from the sponsors),” Cochran said. “Along with the support that we’re getting from Lansing and (LCC), we’re sure that we’ll be here next year too.”

In addition to the films, Cochran said the festival will showcase indie rock, hip-hop and electronic music artists at venues in Lansing.

“We also thought that it would be nice to bring bands that appeal to young people in the area,” he said.

Although the East Lansing Film Festival, or ELFF, allows for a similar opportunity for local filmmakers, Cochran said the CCFF isn’t competing with ELFF — having both festivals will help establish the independent film scene in Lansing.

“There’s no conflict or competition,” Cochran said.

“Before we ever went public and announced (the festival), we spoke to (ELFF director) Susan Woods, and she thought it was a great idea.”

Woods said she’s happy for the CCFF because it brings attention to film and helps promote the art form in the area.

From her perspecitve, she said there are differences between the two festivals.

“The more the merrier is my attitude,” Woods said.

“But it’s like apples and oranges. They are focusing on more short (films) and just a couple features, and they’re doing a lot of parties and music as well — mine is exclusively film.”

Visit capitalcityfilmfest.com for tickets and showtimes for the festival.