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This March, the Coca-Cola Regal Films Program released the five finalists in its "Refreshing Films" contest, which provides opportunities for up-and-coming film students from partnered universities to showcase their talent. One of these top-five short films was created by Amanda Alvich and Mika Orr, both of whom graduated from SVA’s MPS Directing program last year. “Just One Bite” is their witty and charming 35-second piece that focuses on friendship, temptations and the necessity of getting a Coca-Cola and popcorn at the movies.

Alvich, the writer and director of the short, is currently an associate producer and editor at NBCUniversal. Orr, the film’s executive producer, was the lead cinematographer for the Israel Air Force Film Unit and is now working in the film industry as a director and producer; last year, her thesis film Professional Cuddler received honors and awards at SVA and collected acclaim and exposure at screenings around the country.
Currently, only 8% of directors in Hollywood are women and these female finalists are working to change that statistic. Alvich says that her advancement as a finalist in this competition is allowing her to pursue her ultimate dream of being a director. "Women filmmakers are underrepresented in the industry as a whole and the Coca-Cola Regal Films Program gave us a fantastic spotlight," Alvich explains. "It's programs like this that give opportunities to young filmmakers such as myself to have a voice and share our vision. We are beyond grateful for the platform that has been given to us."

“Just One Bite” is qualified to win this year’s Fan Favorite Award, which provides an opportunity for all of the finalists to showcase their work and allows fans to support the next generation of filmmakers by sharing their favorite of the five films with the world. To vote for Alvich’s and Orr’s film, share their short film on Twitter from the Coca-Cola Regal Films page and use the #contestJustOneBite hashtag daily until Friday, April 20 (your Twitter account must be public for your vote to count). With each vote, you are entered into a raffle to win a $1,000 gift card to Regal Cinemas. For official rules and details, visit coke.com/RegalFilms.
"We are extremely proud of our work, and each tweet using the hashtag #ContestJustOneBite brings us one step closer to showcasing our talent worldwide," Mika shared.
Students from 29 top college and university film schools participated in the 2018 Coca-Cola Regal Films Program. Each of the five finalist teams received $15,000 to create a 35-second film to connect people to the movie-going experience. RED Digital Cinema, the program’s provider of professional digital cameras and accessories, supplied camera equipment for each production and the winning team, and EFILM provided color grading creative services. The grand-prize winning film will debut at Regal theaters nationwide and the makers will receive a RED Digital Cinema camera package.
In 2016, Ameer Kazmi, then a BFA Film student and now an alumnus, won this competition with his short film "Blindfold." Learn more here.

READ MORE: SVA Alumnus Mika Orr on Her Award-Winning Short Film, 'Professional Cuddler' [Video]