Film students heading to Cannes Film Festival

Two Santa Barbara City College students are getting ready for one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.

Benjamin Golabre and Gabriella Guillen will travel to France on May 13 for the Cannes Film Festival to show their short film “Paradise Cafe.”

“Crazy,” said Michelle Magers, the film’s producer.

“Yes, crazy,” said Guillen. “That’s the only way I can say it, because we’re so young.”

Magers, Golabre and Guillen came together as a team for a competition during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

“I think in 10 days we make a really good movie,” said Golabre.

Guillen, 20, won for best screenplay.

“It’s about a broken man who meets a stranger at a bar,” she explained.

“For a couple years, I mean that’s all I’ve been thinking about. Like, if I could do it there, I can make it.”

Golabre is the 22-year-old director and submitted the 10-minute film to what is considered one of the most highly regarded film festivals in the world.

The team was shocked when the received the response.

“I didn’t believe it at first because it was an email and I emailed them back to just make sure I didn’t make it up in my mind,” said Golabre.

It took a while to sink in, but the two Santa Barbara City College students are heading to France.

The film producer couldn’t be happier.

“I hope that it pushes them forward, because that’s what they both want,” said Magers.

“I’ve always dreamed to be over there and it’s going to happen,” said Golabre.