UCLA Festival 2009 celebrates student work in film and theater

Events highlight writing, directing, producing, animation, industry future

"Mesmerize Me," written and directed by Kate Hackett, will screen during "UCLA Festval 2009: New Creative Work."

Prom 2009: Festival of Animation

The animation festival has been a tradition since 1959. Each year, a new collection of student films produced in a full range of styles is presented. UCLA animation alumnus David Silverman, who has directed many episodes of the hit show "The Simpsons," as well as the feature film based on the FOX series, will be honored at this year's festival. The Prom takes place at UCLA's James Bridges Theater in Melnitz Hall on Saturday, June 6, at 5:30 p.m., with a repeat screening at 8:45 p.m.

 

Producers Marketplace

Producers Marketplace is a competition between graduate students in the producers program, who will present ideas for feature films to a distinguished panel of entertainment industry judges. The event takes place on Monday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Billy Wilder Theater at Westwood Village's UCLA Hammer Museum (10899 Wilshire Blvd.). Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, producing partners at Jinks/Cohen Productions, based at DreamWorks, will accept the Vision Award from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and the Producers Guild of America. The team's producing credits include Oscar winner "American Beauty" and Oscar nominee "Milk," as well as "Big Fish" and the television series "Pushing Daisies."

 

Screenwriters Showcase

The showcase, featuring staged readings of award-winning screenplays, takes place on Wednesday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. at UCLA's Freud Playhouse in Macgowan Hall. Accepting the Distinguished Achievement in Screenwriting award will be alumnus Dustin Lance Black, Oscar-winning writer of the acclaimed "Milk." Black is also a writer on the hit HBO series "Big Love."

 

Directors Spotlight

Director's Spotlight is a "best of" presentation of outstanding student films selected by a panel of esteemed industry professionals. The event takes place on Thursday, June 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mann Bruin Theater in Westwood Village (950 Broxton Ave.). Accepting the UCLA Filmmaker of the Year award will be alumna Gina Prince-Bythewood, writer and director of "The Secret Live of Bees" and "Love & Basketball."

 

The Vault

Students from UCLA's Moving Image Archive Studies program and alumni present their latest work, and UCLA cinema and media studies students screen and discuss the noir crime drama "Knock on Any Door," starring Humphrey Bogart as an attorney on the rise from a life in the slums. The events take place Saturday, June 6, at noon at UCLA's James Bridges Theater in Melnitz Hall.

 

"Altered States" Media Conference

Presented by the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, "Altered States" is an intensive one-day conference that brings together leading media creators, scholars and industry practitioners to discuss the evolution and future of media arts, technology, scholarship and commerce. The event takes place Saturday, June 13 at 9 a.m. at UCLA's James Bridges Theater in Melnitz Hall. Confirmed speakers include Peter Guber, chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group; Peter Bart, vice president and editorial director of Variety; Richard Rosenblatt, CEO of Demand Media; M. Kenneth Suddleson, partner at Wildman Harrold LLP; Denise Mann, head the UCLA Producers Program; and Robert Rosen, dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. The school is partnering with Wildman Harrold LLP and the Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel to provide MCLE credits to attendees. Advance registration is required.