27 CSU Students Named Finalists in CSU Summer Arts Media Arts Festival

Panels of film industry leaders have chosen 27 CSU students as finalists in the 2001 CSU Summer Arts Media Arts Festival. There were 139 submissions of film, video, and new media projects. The finalists' films will be screened on November 10 beginning at 6:00 p.m. An award ceremony will follow the screening.

The finalists are:

From Chico: Sidney Browne and Kevin Perry

From Dominguez Hills: An Dane, Leean Herman, and Jessica Lopez

From: Fresno: Jim Fox, Hyeongmi Kim, Sabrina Medrano, Elliott Mendoza, Carlos Santos, and Robert Thissen

From Long Beach: Dan Berman, Aaron Garcia, and Ken Winkler

From Los Angeles: Mark Andrada, Heather Nichols, and Van Pham

From Monterey Bay: Ryan Wilcoxson

From Northridge: Brandon Nichols and Nicole Preston

From San Diego: Joey Castanieto, Quincy Hall, Tiffany Nesson, Audra Stafford, Crystal Fambrini, and Ming Jin Woo

From San Francisco: Angel Vasquez

Winners will be announced at the festival, which will take place at CSU Northridge on November 9, 10, and 11. In addition to student winners, the festival will name Alan J. Bloom, professor of Broadcasting at CSULA, as the CSU Faculty Honoree.

The purpose of the Media Arts Festival is to give talented students within the 23-campus California State University system an opportunity to present their work for critical review. Student finalists in the film, video, and new media competition are chosen by distinguished CSU professors and industry leaders, and their works are screened. Cash prizes and the prestigious Rosebud Award are given to winning student entries.

In 2000, the Media Arts Festival expanded its mission to include helping students of the CSU bridge the gap between school and professional life by participating in three days of seminars and events geared to prepare students for work in the entertainment industry.

Each year the Media Arts Festival recognizes the work of a leader in the industry by presenting a distinguished achievement Rosebud Award. The 2001 Industry Honoree is director, producer, and former child actor Gene Reynolds. A retrospective of his work will be shown at the Festival.

Evening events at the Media Arts Festival are open to the public and free of charge.

CSU Summer Arts plays a major role in expanding the opportunities for talented media students. In addition to the November Media Arts Festival, CSU Summer Arts offers two-and four-week master classes for college credit each July. Summer 2002 classes will be held at California State University, Fresno and include "Special Effects for Animation," "35 mm Filmmaking," "Scenery Automation," "3-Dimensional Makeup Art," and more.

Festival details: 562-951-4060 or e-mail: summerarts@calstate.edu.