By james art 
An infusion of ’90s nostalgia is about to transform San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) this spring as the Wolverine Con International Student Film Festival returns March 4-7, 2025. Featuring everything from a debate competition to a rap battle and a 66-hour film challenge, the annual festival shines a light on an era known for iconic films and groundbreaking independent cinema.
“It’s my favorite time period because it was my coming-of-age decade, transitioning from high school to college,” said Lucas Cooney, chair of SBVC’s film, television and media department. “The 90s were a reinvention. The 80s saw huge blockbusters with Stallone and Schwarzenegger, and before that the late 60s and 70s were all about auteur filmmakers like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. But in the 1990s, emerging directors like Quentin Tarantino, David Fincher and Wes Anderson finally started making the movies they really wanted.”
Cooney notes the importance of the 1990s to the launch of the modern film festival circuit — epitomized by Sundance — and cites quintessential 90s titles like Crime, Seven and Swingers. It also states 1999. as a watershed year for cinema, boasting landmark films such as ‘American Beauty’, ‘Fight Club’, ‘Office Space’ and ‘The Matrix’.
Rap battle, debate and more
In addition to the screenings, Wolverine Con will host a debate competition and the festival’s first rap battle, both student-led ideas. “They wanted something cool and engaging,” Cooney said, referring to SBVC’s student interns. “This will be an audience-voted event at the Music Lab Space in North Hall, and we invite entrants to bring their best rhymes.”
66 Hour Film Competition
Open to the entire community – not just students – the 66 Hour Film Competition expands on the popular 48 Hour Film Challenge format. Teams will register on FilmFreeway by February 20. At 7pm on February 21st, registered filmmakers will be assigned a specific genre and required Route 66 element to include in their short film. They will have exactly 66 hours to complete their film.
“The grand prize is $660,” Cooney said. “It’s a big deal because we’ll be showing the winning entries on KVCR-TV, which reaches Los Angeles County. And it’s only $66 to ship.”
Meet the professionals
A major festival highlight, Meet the Pros will bring together industry professionals—many of them SBVC alumni—who have found success in Hollywood and beyond:
• Gage Hensley – motion capture technician for Disney and part of an Emmy Award winning team
• Noah Donnelly – ad production expert in LA
• Danny Saldania – Cinematographer and SBVC Film Program Instructor
• Veronika Sheverilla – scenography specialist
• Marisa Gallardo – Production Design Mentor with credits on Shameless and Euphoria
Attendees can enjoy food and network with these professionals, an integral part of the collaborative spirit of Wolverine Con.
Opening night and film screenings
The festival opens March 4 with a red carpet reception at 5:00 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. screening of a new documentary about Orange Show Speedway by filmmakers Nick Van Louven and Danny Saldana. Chef Stacey and the SBVC Culinary Department will provide free food.
Applications for Wolverine Con remain open until January 31st for any high school or college student who was enrolled during the last school year. High school students pay $5 to send (increasing to $10 in the late term), while college students pay $25. However, Cuny offers a fee waiver to high school students located in area codes 909 or 951 who email it directly at [email protected].
“We want to support local talent,” Cooney said. “This festival raises funds for scholarships for the Institute of Media Arts (IMA) and we have about 20 students benefit from it each year.”
Tickets and prizes
Eighteen awards will be presented on the last day of the festival, March 7, for the best of student cinema. Ticketed events include the Meet the Pros Mixer, Red Carpet Opening and Awards Dinner, all of which are open to the public. Tickets, screening details and additional information are available at filmfreeway.com/SBVC_FilmFest.
“Whether you love the ’90s for their unforgettable movies, are excited to see a rap battle, watch new movies, or want to compete for $660 in the 66 Hour Challenge, this year’s Wolverine Con truly has something for everyone,” said Kuni. “We bring together artists from around the world to celebrate the spirit of independent filmmaking and creative collaboration.”