2024 CSUN Annual Film Showcase

The highly anticipated California State University Cinema and Television Arts Northridge (CSUN) Senior Film Showcase is back for its 33rd production! Join us for a night of cinematic magic at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Get ready to be amazed by the creativity and talent of our student filmmakers as they showcase their best work. Don't miss this opportunity to support emerging filmmakers and immerse yourself in the world of cinema.

The evening's festivities are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30th with reception to follow. Our viewing will be held in the beautiful Samuel Goldwyn Theater inside the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences building, 8949 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills, 90211. Doors to the theatre open at 6:30 p.m. * Please be mindful when consulting your navigation. Our venue is at AMPAS in Beverly Hills NOT at the Academy Museum. Parking information located at the bottom of this invitation.

Tickets are free and open to the public beginning April 24th at 12pm and sell out quickly so don't delay because when they're gone, they're gone.

OUR HOST

The host for the 33rd Annual Senior Film Showcase is 2-time Academy Award winner Nick Vallelonga. Mr. Vallelonga won as 'Green Book’ producer and writer- 2019 Best Picture/Best Original Screenplay. As a writer, director, producer, and actor, some of his additional titles from his long and successful career include: 'Yellow Rock'; Stiletto'; 'All In'; and 'Choker', just to name a few.

THE FILMS

"NEROT SHEL SHABBAT," written and direct by Lital Mizrahi. Logline: A young expecting couple flees the Soviet Union after the rise of the Iron Curtain in an attempt to escape persecution and ongoing antisemitism. Awards: Hackman Capital Changing Lens Grant Camera: ARRI Alexa Mini LF. TRT 15 min 28 sec.

"IKIGAI," written and directed by Maren Emiko Elardo. In the mid-1970s, a Japanese American girl, integrated into a predominantly white school, attempts to survive her first week of third grade while her mother plans a surprise visit to her daughter's class. Award: ARRI Franz Wieser Changing Lens Grant. Camera: ARRI Alexa Mini LF. TRT 15 min 20 sec.

"UNION AVE," written and directed by Gino Cazzali. Logline: In a city where social workers play more of a part in assisting the mentally ill out in the field, a social worker and a police officer have to settle their differences and work as a team to make it through the night. Award: Hackman Captial Changing Lens Grant. Camera: ARRI Alexa Mini. TRT 15 min

"YOUR WEAPONS," written and directed by Joanna Zhang. Longline: With tensions running high in post-riot southern LA, the relationship between two young teens is changed forever when they realize just how terrifyingly destructive the racial hatred is that remains deeply rooted between their two communities. Award: Caucus for Producers, Writers, and Directors Grant Camera: Blackmagic Ursa 12k TRT: 13 min

"5 STAR" written and directed by Jerald Flowers Award: ARRI Franz Wiesner Grant. Camera ARRI TRT 15 min.

RECEPTION

There will be a small reception located in the Academy lobby immediately following the screening. Refreshments provided by Alligator Pear.

No food, drink, candy, or gum allowed in the theater.

PARKING

Free parking is available in the garages at 8920 Wilshire Blvd/La Peer Dr. and 9025 Wilshire Blvd/Wetherly Dr. Both garages will open at 6:30pm and remain open until 30 min after the conclusion of our screening. There is also metered parking along Wilshire Blvd beginning at 7pm. The surrounding neighborhood is permit parking only and will ticket and tow.

The evening is sponsored by the CSUN Associated Students Instructionally Related Activities Fund and the Golden Globe Foundation. All senior film project directors have the distinction of being Golden Globe Foundation Fellows.

For more information about the showcase, call CSUN’s Department of Cinema and Television Arts at (818) 677-3192.

Host or Publisher CSUN Cinema and Television Arts Northridge