May 10 & 11, 2025
Unspooled Film and Animation Festival is a juried annual event in Menomonie, Wisconsin featuring films and animations made by regional and international independent storytellers. Films are screened at the historic Harvey Hall Theatre at UW-Stout. During the event, professional filmmakers rub elbows with students and members of the local community. By screening content, offering workshops, and hosting guest speakers the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival actively supports emerging and seasoned storytellers. Join us for this year's festival on May 10 and 11!
Emerging and seasoned storytellers are invited to be a part of the festival by submitting their films in a variety of categories. The two-day festival will showcase selected projects and create opportunities for filmmakers, students, and community members to network and share their passion for film and animation.
Zach Schy, creatively known as SchyGuyy, is a 21-year-old artist, videographer, photographer, and creative director from the Midwest. His distinctive style seamlessly blends with his passion for ambient music, creating captivating visual narratives.
Drawing inspiration from musicians like Nala Sinephro, Peter Cat Recording Co., and Frank Ocean, SchyGuyy's work evokes raw emotion, focusing on himself as the subject in a way that resonates deeply with the strong audience that he’s developed.
Over the past year, SchyGuyy has amassed over half a million followers on both TikTok and Instagram, with his content garnering over 50M views on Instagram and 10M likes on TikTok. This is just the beginning for SchyGuyy as he establishes himself as both a tastemaker and a creative visionary.
Saturday, May 10
Harvey Hall Theater
4:00 p.m. – Kick-Off and Screening Block #1
A Mix of Animation and Live Action Shorts
- Welcome message from Jonny
- Cell Buddies
- You can't beat the feeling!
- The Line Between
- Lamps
- The Loving Couple
5:00 p.m. – Special Event- Stout Animators
- Creating Jilly and Juno
- Jilly & Juno
- Panel Discussion: The Creators of Jilly and Juno
6:00 p.m. - Special Event- Stout Filmmakers
- Featured Video Production Projects
- Moderated Panel Discussion with Student Filmmakers
7:00 p.m. – Special Guest Zach Schyy Keynote Adress and Awards Ceremony
8:00 p.m. - Screening Block #3- Scary Stuff
- Don’t Answer
- Red Door Yellow Door
- Face Time
- Goodnight My Demons
- VOHRA
Nonic Brewpub
9:30 p.m. - Screening Block – Genre Shorts
- Pledge of the Grim Reapers
- Rendezvous
- Kill the Horse
- Skin Care
Sunday, May 11
Harvey Hall Theater
3:00 p.m. – All-Ages Community Screening (Free)
- Star Wars Shorts
4:00 p.m. - Screening Block #6:
- Live Action and Animation Shorts
5:00 p.m. – Screening Block #7:
- Stout Student Short Documentaries
6:00 p.m. – Screening Block #8:
- Stout Student Live-Action and Animated Shorts
Zymurgy Brew Pub
9:00 p.m. – Final Screening Block: Genre Shorts
- Loop
- The Devil Stole My Girlfriend
- Into the Reds Tale
- Tech Check
- Antisocial