SUNY Fredonia is hosting a major filmmaking and digital production conference this coming week.

The University Film and Video Association’s 76th annual conference is today through Friday on campus. According to Roslin Smith, chair of SUNY Fredonia’s Communications Department, about 300 filmmakers, teachers and other people associated with the business will be attending. Smith tops the conference planning committee and is formal host of the conference.

They’re coming in from all over the world. For example, Tuesday’s keynote speaker, author and filmmaker Niels Pagh Andersen, hails from Denmark.

Smith said people are expected to start showing up Sunday and Monday. There’s only a UFVA board meeting and a meet-and-greet on Monday’s schedule — but things really kick into gear Tuesday with a slew of screenings, panel discussions and workshops. Many more are planned throughout the week.

Conference visitors are filling up two dorms on campus, and others are staying in hotels and rentals, Smith said.

A big picnic is planned out at the Rotunda Railroad farm on Wednesday. The conference will close with a three-course dinner and awards banquet.

“There’s been lots of collaboration going on in the village and beyond,” Smith said. “We have at least 40 people to man tables and help around campus.” Local wineries and a restaurant are also offering coupons to conference participants, she said.

The theme of the conference is “Reconnecting Community.” It’s the association’s first in-person conference since 2019. Smith said that before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, about 400 people attended the conferences. However, fewer are expected this year as some people are still nervous about big gatherings.

“One of the big stumbling blocks was getting people from the airport (in Buffalo) to Fredonia and back,” Smith said. SUNY Fredonia stepped in to help, providing shuttle buses on nearly a 24-hour basis for Sunday and Monday, and Friday and Saturday when conference attendees will be leaving. They are providing scattered ones in between. and also, some hotel shuttles.

“We’ll be reconnecting and having a lot of fun,” Smith said. “It’s hard work, it’s very busy, but it’s very enjoyable.”