As the Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, more than 30 City College students will participate in the star-studded events by writing reviews, competing, and screening student films.

For six years City College students have participated in the 10-10-10, an all-regional student competition focused on writing and directing. The students create 10, 10-minute films in 10 days by five high school students and five college students.

This year three City College students, Ali Sommer, Chris Thompson, and Josh Sexton, will be competing for the chance to get their films screened on the closing night, Feb. 14 at the Arlington theatre.

In addition two more City College students have already become involved in the festival. Students William Conlin and Simon Freeman with the help of Film and TV Production Instructor Candace Schermerhorn created City College’s Centennial Documentary.

It will be shown in the film festival at 6:30 p.m on Friday Feb. 5. at Victoria Hall. The documentary will also be screened at the Metro 4 at 10:45 a.m on Monday Feb. 8.

“It’s a great opportunity for local film makers to meet the top of the Hollywood industry,” said Student William Conlin, president of the film reviews club.

But, not only competitors get a chance to get involved in the festival.

Instructor Nico Maestu teaches the Film Festival Studies class, which lasts throughout the 10-day festival in February. From Feb. 4 to 14, aspiring film critics will be exposed to the world of filmmaking, film screenings, and the main objective: film criticism.

Enrolling in the course requires a $200 fee, but covers an entire festival packet with a ticket to opening night. He began the three-unit class in 2008.

“Students become immersed in the Film Festival,” Maestu said. “They get an incredible experience of being at the Festival, seeing different films, and reviewing films like a professional movie critic.”

Before the festival’s opening night on Feb. 4, each student receives their own thick booklet to fill with detailed descriptions and opinions of the films they decide to critique.

In this film log, students are required to write reviews for at least 10 films. Maestu teaches his students how to write a conventional review, but to also think creatively and mirror the film with their review style.

“If it’s a very poetic movie, make the review somewhat poetic,” he said. “If it’s an action movie, make the review exciting. I think that’s very important.”

Students should be “brave and open minded” and see films that appear unusual, Maestu said. That way, they can experience the full scope of a film festival instead of only the prominent and recognizable titles.

Although the students’ access is somewhat limited compared to larger festivals, Maestu knows his students can create any interaction they want with directors or actors.

During American Film Institue’s Film Festival last year in Hollywood, students became “starstruck” when they saw Judd Apatow, famous for directing “Knocked Up” and “40-Year-Old Virgin.”

Conlin has had the opportunity to see, meet, and interview big names like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Al Gore, and Jeff Bridges.

The film festival “brings in an incredible group every year,” said Conlin.

While Santa Barbara only awards tributes, the Sundance, Cannes, and Telluride film festivals hold premieres, and are closer to stars and more immediate for film critics, Maestu said.

He would love to someday expand the film festival experience to include those as well, because it would be an “incredible experience,” he said. Santa Barbara, however, has given certain students plenty of opportunities.

In previous years, a few directors have approached Maestu about using quotes from students’ reviews, which are all posted on the class Web site, at SBCCfilmreviews.org.

“I’ll be writing reviews [for the site] along with the class,” said Conlin.

The Web site holds an archive of over 70 City College film critics, 856 reviews, and numerous Top-10 lists. The Web site also offers the opportunity to join the Film Review Club, a place students can visit and post reviews after the class has ended.

Conlin said that during the film festival the film reviews Web site will get at least 150 reviews in 10 days.

“They’re not just pretending to write reviews,” Maestu said. “They are writing professional reviews and experiencing the film world.”

-Amanda Jacobs contributed to this story