TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Laura Godorecci has spent most of her life right here in Tuscaloosa. But this week the 19-year-old University of Alabama junior is in Cannes, France, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Cate Blanchett and director Alfonso Cuar’on, and learning about the world of filmmaking.

“They’ve told us to bring business cards and ideas to pitch to people, so they’re definitely encouraging us to use this as a networking opportunity,” said Godorecci, who earned a spot in this year’s Cannes Film Festival American Pavilion Student Filmmaker Program after applying late last year. “And the rest of it is supposed to familiarize us with the funding and producing issues involved in making films, which will certainly be very useful for those of us who hope to eventually make films for a living.”

Godorecci became one of those people soon after graduating from Holy Spirit Catholic High School in 2005, when she made a short film as her final project in a humanities and creativity course taught by Janeann Dill.

“Dr. Dill saw a good eye in my work, which was wonderful encouragement,’ said Godorecci, who was just 15 at the time. “So I began to pursue filmmaking more and more seriously, and my love for it has grown as I’ve gone on.”

The American Pavilion’s Student Filmmaker Program is a worldwide program that sends about 140 students to the Cannes Film Festival each year.

Students participate in special round-table discussions with some of the actors, directors and producers attending the festival and are given full access to all film screenings.

Godorecci is just one of about 50 students who will see their own films screened at the festival as well.

She said her film, called “Untitled,” is an experimental, non-narrative short film that blends live action and animation, and focuses on a little girl who has trouble telling what’s real and what’s not.

Godorecci made the film last semester as part of an independent study analyzing the question “What is history?”

“The film is a visual interpretation of the conclusion of my research,” she said. “Which is that history is a story in which people put unwavering faith until new details come along to correct the previous version, rewrite it, change it — proving that history truly is a story, and a fluid one.”

Godorecci plans to continue studying film in graduate school when she earns her degree at UA, then work toward a Ph.D. in either philosophy or literature, which she hopes will eventually lead her to a full-time filmmaking career. And her former teachers say they don’t doubt she can do it.

“She has the ability to visualize possibilities that others would never think of, and we are very proud of her accomplishments,” said Judi Halli, Holy Spirit High School principal.

She added that she and others at the school are thrilled with Godorecci’s success. “She’s a wonderful young lady — intelligent, creative and personable.”

Godorecci will spend about six hours a day working at the American Pavilion tent, but she said she expects to have plenty of time — and freedom — to attend film screenings and network with some of the most famous people in filmmaking.

She’ll also participate in round-table sessions with directors and producers who will discuss the business side of filmmaking and answer students’ questions.

She believes the opportunity came at the perfect time in her life.

“I won’t finish UA until next May,” she said. “So I’ll have a whole year to build on what I learn at Cannes.”

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