Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1531609
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 5 I 4 1 30 th Annual DGA Student Film Awards in Los Angeles At the West Coast Awards on December 17, at the Guild's Theater complex in Los Angeles, DGA Associate National Executive Director/ Western Executive Director Rebecca Rhine and DGA Student Film Awards Committee Chair Gil Cates Jr., welcomed the audience. The West Region awards presentations were from DGA Fifth Vice President, Millicent Shelton to African American category- winner, Britt Williams of AFI (Behold a Lady); Director Chris Tashima to the Asian American category-winner, Robin Wang of USC (Neither Donkey nor Horse); Director Aurora Guerrero to the Latino category-winner, Juan Zuloaga Eslait of Chapman University (Before the Winter); Director Shaz Bennett to the Women's category- winner, Kateryna Kurganska of USC (Two Breaths); and Director Matt Tyrnauer to the Documentary category-winner, Wubetu Shimelash of USC (Shepherd's Calling). Master of Ceremonies LeVar Burton presented the Jury Award certificates of achievement to African American recipient Kira Powell of AFI (Best Eyes), Asian American recipient Grace Hanna of AFI (Lola), Latino recipient Kimberly Caicedo of AFI (Francis), Women's recipient MC Plaschke of AFI (We Met at Camp) and Documentary recipient Sarah Enriquez of Moorpark College (Inside: America's Teaching Zoo). photo by Quintin Lundy DGA members and their guests attended ceremonies for the 30th Annual Student Film Awards. These Awards are designed to honor, encourage and bring attention to outstanding women and ethnically diverse film students at over 200 select universities across the country, including historically Black colleges and universities. 30 th Annual DGA Student Film Awards in New York At the East Coast Awards on December 18, in the Guild's New York Theater DGA Assistant Secretary- Treasurer Joyce Thomas welcomed the audience. Director Li Lu to the African American category-winner, Mirta Desir of the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema – Brooklyn College/ CUNY (Jean & I) and to the Asian American category-winner, Nadine Jin of Columbia University (Juk); Director Eif Rivera to the Documentary category-winner, Christine An of Boston University (Timeless Voices) and to Producer Alejandra Cintron Rivera who accepted on behalf of the Latino category-winner, Almendra Kovac Akel of Ringling College of Art & Design (ROT); and Focus on Women Committee Co-Chair Ellen Athena Catsikeas to the Women's category-winner, Ella McKenzie of University of Michigan (Nerd Association). The other East Region awards presentations were from Director Joan Stein Schimke, who presented the Jury Award certificates of achievement to African American recipient Ben Locke of Boston University (Taper), Asian American recipient Lucas Manuel-Scheibe of NYU (Rope), Latino recipient Marco Greco of University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Clocked-Out), Women's recipient Colleen Ryan of Savannah College of Art and Design (El Alma de la Sed) and Documentary recipient Gabriel Ponte Fleary of Rochester Institute of Technology (Un Viaje de Fe [A Journey of Faith]). photo by Marcie Revens The DGA Student Film Awards have highlighted dozens of African American, Asian American, Latino and Women filmmakers over the years, and is a hallmark of our efforts to recognize the talents of emerging women and people of color, supporting their entrance into the film industry and eventually into the Guild. A number of past winners have gone on to enjoy successful directing careers. See additional info and photos online at www.dga.org. See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup Photo: 30th Annual DGA Student Film Awards West Region winners and Jury Award Recipients pose for a photo with the presenters and members of the Student Film Awards Committee during the ceremony in Los Angeles. Photo: 30th Annual DGA Student Film Awards East Region winners and Jury Award Recipients pose for a photo with the presenters and members of the Judging Committee during the ceremony in New York.