The Directors Guild of America announced the winners of the 2009 DGA Student Film Awards for African American, Asian American, Latino and Women directors. The awards are designed to honor, encourage and bring attention to outstanding minority and women directors in film schools and select universities across the country.
“We are honored to recognize and call attention to talented new directors through the DGA Student Film Awards,” said Taylor Hackford, president of the Guild. “The DGA is committed to encouraging diversity and highlighting emerging talents in the entertainment industry. We wish our awardees all the best and look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.”
The 2009 winners, selected by blue ribbon DGA member panels, are:
BEST AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT FILMMAKER
East Coast Winner: Rashaad Ernesto Green of NYU for Premature
West Coast Winner: Edward Osei-Gyimah of USC for Kwame
Jury Prize: Sharon Hill of UCLA for Shades of Gray
BEST ASIAN AMERICAN STUDENT FILMMAKER
East Coast Winner: Theresa Wu of Columbia University for Smoke and Mirrors
West Coast Winner: Edward Kim of UCLA for To Wander in Pandemonium
Jury Prize: Ken Ochiai of AFI for Half Kenneth
BEST LATINO STUDENT FILMMAKER
East Coast Winner: Antonio Mendez Esparza of Columbia University for Una y Otra Vez
West Coast Winner: David Martin-Porras of UCLA for Ida y Vuelta
Jury Prize: Jessica McMunn Macias of UCLA for Soleil
BEST WOMAN STUDENT FILMMAKER
East Coast Winner: Eliza Subotowicz of Columbia University for Ben
West Coast Winner: Erika Cohn of Chapman University for When the Voices Fade
Jury Prize: Rebecca Cremona of Art Center College of Design for Magdalene
The awards rules and procedures mandate that competing films must have been made in the 2008/2009 school year (September 2008 through August 2009), and must have been produced as a student project under the supervision of a faculty member. Dramas, comedies and documentaries are all eligible — animated and experimental films are not. Applicants must be enrolled in, or be a recent (one-year) graduate from, an accredited post-secondary institution in California or DGA-selected university offering a degree in film or television. Eligible films are those in which a student held every major crew position. Productions in which a non-student, professional or a faculty member served as cinematographer, camera operator, sound recordist, editor, lighting designer or screenwriter may be disqualified.
The award-winning films will be screened and the awards presented in ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York at the Directors Guild of America theaters.
Contact:Sahar Moridani Directors Guild of America 310-289-5333
Asian World Film Festival Announces Dates, Opening and Closing Films, Special Programs, and Gala Awards Ceremony
The Asian World Film Festival (AWFF), Los Angeles' annual celebration of Asian filmmakers, announced the dates and highlights of its highly anticipated 10th anniversary edition. Taking place November 13-21, 2024, the festival will showcase a diverse range of new movies and special programs and celebrate Asian cinema’s legacy. Opening night will feature the critically acclaimed Korean drama, “A Normal Family,” while the Filipino romantic drama “Hello, Love, Again” is the closing film. Screenings will be presented at the Culver Theater, Culver City, November 13-20. A star-studded Closing Night Gala and Award Ceremony will be celebrated at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) complex November 21. Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF Executive Director, said “We have chosen ‘heritage’ as this year’s theme to honor our first decade. This focus underscores AWFF's commitment to Asian cinema’s rich past as well as its ongoing efforts to champion contemporary and emerging Asian film.” OPENING AND CLOSING FILMS Directed by award-winning filmmaker Hur Jin-ho ("The Last Princess," "Happiness"), "A Normal Family" is a searing family drama that stars Sul Kyung-gu and Jong Dong-gun. Multi-layered yet accessible, the film was meticulously crafted in widescreen and premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim. The heartwarming sequel to Philippine box office phenomenon "Hello, Love, Goodbye," "Hello, Love, Again" reunites director Cathy Garcia-Sampana ("The Hows of Us," "One More Chance") with stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards. The filmmaker, actors, and other cast members will attend the screening at the film’s festival debut. MAIN PROGRAM - IN COMPETITION AWFF's main... Read More