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A collage of film stills showing an animated hotdog, two women in an embrace, an African American woman in blue by the window, a young girl and a old man looking outward.
"Fine Cut Festival of Films" winners for 2021.

Fine Cut 2021 Winners

September 29, 2021
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Congratulations to our young filmmakers who won top prizes in this year's "Fine Cut Festival of Films."

This year, over 350 films were submitted during April and May by filmmakers enrolled in over 30 Southern California schools. This year's selected films tackled such themes as climate change, mental health and LGBTQ relationships with almost 70% of the stories from filmmakers of color. Almost 70% of the finalist films were also directed or produced by female filmmakers. Watch short films from these promising talents!

Full list of "Fine Cut Festival of Films" winners in 2021:

Jack Larson Southern California Filmmaker Award

"Your Friend, Ranger Doug"
Claire Jantzen and Sara Rose Nell
Chapman University

Watch "Your Friend, Ranger Doug."

Narrative Award

"When The Tide Rises"
Alex Jiang
University of Southern California

An Asian lady cuts the hair of a young Asian girl wrapped in a towel.
"When the Tide Rises" tells the story of a Chinese lesbian couple after they adopt. Watch the short film on the third episode of "Fine Cut," "What Went Wrong." | Still from "When the Tide Rises"

Documentary Award

"Not Just A Name"
De'Onna “Tree” Young-Stephens
University of Southern California

An African American woman in a blue dress looks out the window.
"Not Just a Name" tackles the social stigma and racial bias of having a strange sounding name. Watch the full short film on the fourth episode of "Fine Cut," "It Shaped Me." | Still from "Not Just a Name"

Animation Award

FRANKIE THE HOT DOG: Gymnastics Star
Lee Witz
California Institute of the Arts

An animated hotdog wearing an exercise headband runs triumphantly while confetti rains down
A hotdog girl competes in the world championship gymnastics competition in "FRANKIE THE HOT DOG: Gymnastics Star." Watch the full short film on the second episode of "Fine Cut," Games, Competition, Rivalry." | Still from "FRANKIE THE HOT DOG: Gymnastics Star"

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