Five Cal State L.A. students selected as festival finalists
Los Angeles, CA -- The CSU Summer Arts 24th annual Media Arts Festival (MAF) will be hosted at Cal State L.A. on Saturday, Nov. 8. The festival presents some of the best student work in film, video, and interactive media from the 23-campus CSU system. The festival screening and awards ceremony will take place in the University-Student Union.
“The CSU Media Arts Festival showcases the next generation of Hollywood greats! Cal State L.A. is proud to host this important event, and we welcome agents, producers, directors, actors and all those in the entertainment industry – especially those who are captured by a compelling storytelling experience!” said Dean Peter A. McAllister of College of Arts and Letters at Cal State L.A.
Talented CSU students compete in this popular festival for cash prizes and recognition from media professionals and faculty members at their respective campuses. Industry professionals selected 30 student finalists from 14 campuses after reviewing 170 entries.
Five Cal State L.A. students are among the finalists: Erik Boccio, Ya Gao, Todd Leiser, Morgan Sandler and Yadi Zhao. Students submitted work to nine categories: Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Interactive Media, Music Video, Narrative, Television, Feature Screenplay, and Short Screenplay. The Cal State L.A. finalists are in the following categories:
- Documentary: Thai Elephant Home – Ya Gao (TVFT graduate student)
- Music Video: The Ballerina – Erik Boccio (TVFT graduate) and Morgan Sandler (TVFT alum)
- Music Video: Horse Tears – Yadi Zhao (TVFT graduate)
- Short Screenplay: Control Zero – Todd Leiser (TVFT graduate)
“Golden Eagle TV and Cinematic Visions clubs are proud to help coordinate the CSU Media Arts Festival this year,” said Bridgette Murnane, professor of television, film and media studies at Cal State L.A. “This important event will give our students the opportunity to meet industry representatives and see the work produced from other CSU campuses. We are especially proud of our TVFT MFA grads for making the finals in this year’s competition.”
A free public screening of all finalists’ works will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the University-Student Union. Audience members will vote for the “Audience Choice Award,” which will be announced along with all student winners at the Saturday night award ceremony beginning at 8:15 p.m.
Cash prizes include: $500 and Rosebud Award to winner of best in show; $500 and Rosebud Award to winner in each category; and $250 to the campus department of each winning category. For information on the Media Arts Festival or to RSVP to attend the screenings, visit www.mediaartsfestival.org
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Cal State L.A. is a university dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good. Founded in 1947, the University is home to over 23,000 active students, and 235,000 distinguished alumni, who are as diverse as the city we serve. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Cal State L.A. has long been recognized as an engine of economic and social mobility. Led by an award-winning faculty, the University offers nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and the humanities.
Cal State L.A. is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex, TV, Film and Media Center and the Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good. For more information, visit CalStateLA.edu, or like us at Facebook.com/CalStateLA.
11/04/14