Media Contact: Alondra Ponce, alondra.ponce.432@my.csun.edu, or Javier Rojas, javier.rojas@csun.edu, (818)-677-2130
With stories such as an Indian immigrant mother escaping her home life, a son returning from war confined in a hospital bed, or a home aide struggling to face their own medical diagnosis, these films will reflect the talents of California State University, Northridge’s film students.
These stories and more will be screened as part of the 34th Annual Senior Film Showcase hosted by CSUN’s Department of Cinema and Television Arts on Wednesday, April 30. The showcase is open to the public and scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, located at 8949 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills. A reception with live music will follow in the academy lobby.
“This is an evening that is attended by industry professionals, families, and others that make up 700 guests,” said film professor Nate Thomas, who teaches in CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication. “More importantly, this night is a culminating experience for our students as they conclude the making of their films. It’s about making work and having an audience enjoy it.”
The evening’s host is television, film and music video director Darren Grant, a graduate from CSUN’s Department of Cinema and Television Arts. Grant has directed more than 100 music videos for such Grammy winners and artists as Beyonce, TI, Aaliyah, and more. He made his feature film directorial debut with Tyler Perry’s comedy-drama, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” He has won an MTV Video Music Award for Destiny’s Child “Survivor,” two Billboard Music Video Awards and a NAACP Image award.
In television Darren has become a most sought-after director. He has directed episodes of Showtime’s ‘The Chi,’ USA Network’s ‘Suits,’ Showtime’s ‘Billions,’ USA Network’s ‘Queen of the South,’ Hulu’s ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga,’ Fox’s ‘Empire,’ ABC’s ‘Big Sky,’ CBS’s ‘Tracker,’ HBO Max’s ‘Gossip Girl,’ CBS’s ‘The Equalizer,’ Netflix’s ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ and Showtime’s ‘Your Honor,’ starring Bryan Cranston. There will be a retrospective of Darren Grant’s work shown that evening.
Five student films will premiere at the showcase.
- “Splash,” directed by Artur Papikyan, tells the story of a father whose son returns from war wounded. The father tries to reconnect with his son by sneaking him out of the hospital for a spontaneous day trip.
- “Glodok 98,” directed by Nicholas Tjen, is set against Jakarta’s 1988 crisis. The story follows a small convenience store owner fighting to save his pregnant wife from a life-threatening condition while navigating the effects of political unrest and economic collapse.
- “Fitna,” directed by Musaid Adbdullah, is about U.S. citizens taken hostage in Iraq, and a Muslim U.S. Army chaplain who is faced with the decision of choosing between serving his country or serving his faith.
- “Moksha,” directed by Sadhana Ramesh, follows Meera, an Indian immigrant mother who escapes her constrained home life and meets a rebellious Indian teenage girl.
- “I’m Doing Fine,” directed by Aleks Arsin, tells the story of a home aide who, after getting locked out of his house, struggles to face his own severe medical diagnosis.
“Each one of these films really represents the diversity of our students and their stories,” said Thomas. “That is what makes these films really rich, because the students use their personal experiences, culture and backgrounds to tell stories that really need to be told.”
The Department of Cinema and Television Arts, part of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, brings extensive professional experience to classrooms for striving filmmakers. The faculty bring opportunities and their expertise that will support students in achieving their goals.
