Three Columbia University School of the Arts filmmakers, and three Columbia University Journalism School filmmakers, were selected as regional finalists for the 36th Annual Student Academy Awards, a competition for college and university filmmakers. The winners were announced on April 23 at the New York headquarters of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Each year, more than 500 filmmakers from across the country compete for the awards, and as many as three films in each category (Animation, Documentary, Narrative and Alternative) are selected from each region to advance to the national finals in Los Angeles. For the first time ever, Columbia filmmakers swept the Eastern region in the Documentary category, helming all three documentaries that are heading to the finals. The fourth Columbia finalist is in the Narrative category.
The national finalists will be judged in May, and the results will be announced at a ceremony and screening at the Academy on June 13. Winners ultimately receive awards, cash prizes and trophies.
The Columbia University filmmakers selected as regional finalists are:
"Una Y Otra Vez" ("Time and Again"), written and directed by Antonio Mendez (M.F.A. Candidate, Film '09)
Narrative category
* Will screen at the 2009 Columbia University Film Festival, April 28
"The Last Mermaids," directed by Liz Chae (M.F.A. Candidate, Film '09)
Documentary category
"The Wait," produced by Cassandra Lizaire ('09JRN), Alicia Tejada II ('09JRN) and Kelly Asmuth ('09JRN)
Documentary category
Win or Lose: A Summer Camp Story, written and directed by Louis Lapat (M.F.A., Film '07)
Documentary category
