2026 CSUN Annual Film Showcase

The highly anticipated California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Cinema and Television Arts Senior Film Showcase returns for its 35th year. Join us for an unforgettable evening of cinematic storytelling at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Experience the creativity, passion, and talent of our student filmmakers as they present their finest work. Don’t miss this opportunity to support emerging artists and immerse yourself in an inspiring night of film.

The evening’s festivities will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, with a reception to follow. The screening will take place in the beautiful Samuel Goldwyn Theater at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, located at 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and close promptly at 7:25 p.m. Late seating will not be permitted, so please arrive early and allow adequate time for security.

Please note: When using navigation, be sure to select AMPAS in Beverly Hills—this event is not held at the Academy Museum. Parking information can be found at the bottom of this invitation.

Tickets are free and open to the public beginning April 24 at 12:00 p.m. Availability is limited and tickets are expected to sell out quickly—reserve yours early, as once they’re gone, they’re gone.

OUR HOST

The host for this year’s event will be Academy Award®–nominated producer Michael Grillo. A film industry icon and CSUN alumnus, Grillo has produced acclaimed films including Silverado, Grand Canyon, Defending Your Life, and The Accidental Tourist, the latter earning him an Oscar® nomination for Best Picture.

Grillo was the first head of feature film production at DreamWorks, where he oversaw the studio’s live-action slate for a decade, including Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, Gladiator, American Beauty, and Anchorman.

In recent years, he has served as executive producer on films such as The Green Hornet starring Seth Rogen, as well as Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

A special retrospective of Mr. Grillo’s work will be presented during the evening.

Photo~Michael Grillo

THIS YEAR'S SELECTION OF FILMS

"BEATEN DOWN," written and direct by Anmol Bajaj.

Synopsis: Jay, a 26-year-old undocumented immigrant in Los Angeles, faces an impossible choice when his pregnant sister back home suffers a life-threatening complication. Desperate to stay in the U.S. while helping his family, he hatches a reckless plan to stage a crime and qualify for a visa—sending him into a spiral of bizarre encounters and unintended consequences. As reality closes in, Jay must choose between chasing his American dream and returning to the family he may be losing. Screening in Dolby Atmos® Sound. Camera: ARRI Alexa Mini (via Panavision) TRT: 14 min 53 sec

BTS Photo ~ BEATEN DOWN

"THE TREMBLES IN MY VOICE" written and directed by Ana Carolina de Jesus.

Synopsis: A young man with a stutter struggles to find his voice in a world that values fluency. After losing the grandmother who always spoke for him, he must choose between staying silent or honoring her by finally being heard. ARRI Grant Award Winnner. Camera: ARRI Mini LF & ARRI SR3. TRT: 15 min.

BTS Photo ~ THE TREMBLES IN MY VOICE

"S.N.A.F.U.," written and directed by Robert Kutruff.

Synopsis: Lily Garcia, a homeless Iraq War veteran battling PTSD and alcoholism, is forced to confront her past when her fallen comrade’s child needs life-saving surgery. To help, she must return to the desert and recover the buried gold she once tried to forget. Camera: SONY Venice. TRT 15 min 30 sec.

BTS Photo ~ S.N.A.F.U.

"FOR WHICH THEY STAND," written and directed by Natalie Shousha.

Synopsis: For Which They Stand follows an Egyptian-American father navigating post-9/11 America as a government program threatens to separate him from his pregnant wife and young son. As fear and discrimination close in, Ibrahim must confront a system that puts his family’s future at risk. TRT: 15 min 50 sec.

LINK TO FOR WHICH THEY STAND TRAILER

BTS Photo ~ FOR WHICH THEY STAND

"JEWISH MOMS SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME," written and directed by Sam Markson.

Synopsis: Ezra brings his not-so-Jewish boyfriend Brian to Passover and hopes no one notices—until his brother does. After a failed cover story, spiked grape juice, and a rapidly unraveling Brian, the seder descends into chaos, ending in a messy reveal, family tension, and a very public meltdown. Award:EMA Green Seal Camera: SONY Venice. TRT: 15 min 14 sec.

LINK TO JEWISH MOMS SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME TRAILER

BTS Photo ~ JEWISH MOMS SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME

Photo ~ Tim Russ

RECEPTION

A small reception will be held in the Academy lobby immediately following the screening, with refreshments provided by Alligator Pear. A second reception featuring live music from The Tim Russ Band will follow the showcase in the Academy lobby.

Tim Russ is known to millions of fans as “Tuvok” from Star Trek: Voyager and as “Principal Franklin” from the Nickelodeon series iCarly.

Please note: No food, drinks, candy, or gum are permitted inside 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 are honored as Golden Globe Foundation Fellows.

Senior Film Projects Screening (presented in Digital Cinema 5.1 surround sound theatrical format)

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

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