FINE CUT judges in attendance included Deadline.com Chief Film Critic Pete Hammond, IDA’s Director of Programming & Policy Claire Aguilar, actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste, animator/writer producer Van Partible and story artist Michael Herrera.
Other notable guests included Chef Roy Choi (Host of KCET’s BROKEN BREAD) as well as KCET Chief Creative Officer Juan Devis and Public Media Group of Southern California Chief Operating Officer Jamie Annunzio Myers.
20th Annual FINE CUT Festival of Films Announces LA Student Winners in Advance of KCET’s Broadcast Of All Finalist Films on Oct. 2
One Filmmaker Awarded with Opportunity to Participate In American Pavilon’s Emerging Filmmaker Showcase At 2020 Cannes Film Festival
In partnership with The American Pavilion, KCET celebrated the work of regional student filmmakers on Sept. 26 at the 20th annual FINE CUT Festival of Films at the Landmark Theatre in West LA. Four winning short films were announced with clips screened from the thirteen selected as finalists by an entertainment industry judging panel. Select judges acted as presenters during the event including International Documentary Association’s Director of Programming & Policy Claire Aguilar, actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Homecoming, Secrets & Lies), story artist Michael Herrera (The Angry Birds Movie, Wreck it Ralph 2), animator/writer producer Van Partible (Pete the Cat, Johnny Bravo) and Deadline.com Chief Film Critic Pete Hammond (Host of KCET’S MUST SEE MOVIES). The event was held in advance of the Wed., Oct. 2 broadcast series premiere of all finalist films on KCET in Southern California at 9 p.m. PT. Films will also be available for streaming at kcet.org/finecut.
Chapman University’s Erin Lau, director of the short film “The Moon and the Night” was presented with The Jack Larson Southern California Student Filmmaker Award. Lau will receive a $2,000 travel stipend and the opportunity to be a part of the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker showcase at the 2020 Cannes International Film Festival thanks to a partnership with The American Pavilion as well as a $10,000 Keslow Camera Package.
Other winners included UCLA student William Rowe, director of “Shoot the Moon” for Best Animation Film and University of Southern California film school student Kelley Kali, director of “Lalo’s House” for Best Narrative film. The Best Documentary film award was accepted by director Shaun Dikilato from USC for the short film “Delay of Game.” Each of the winning filmmakers will receive prize packages valued between $2,500 and $10,000 thanks to a variety of prize donors including Quixote and Movie Magic.
Additional guests attending the red-carpet award ceremony as well as the post-event reception included actress Kat Kramer (Little Fockers), Chef Roy Choi (Host of KCET’s BROKEN BREAD), Host Rosey Alvero (KCET’s SoCal Wanderer) and Boxer Jeremy Williams.
Funding for FINE CUT is generously provided by The Bridges/Larson Foundation.