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'Fine Cut' Season 21 Virtual Awards Ceremony

September 30, 2020
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This year has been challenging for everyone, including young aspiring filmmakers. Despite the obstacles, many have still been able to create inspiring work. This year, "Fine Cut" received more than 400 submissions from 40 schools, which were then judged by nine entertainment industry finalists and narrowed down to a list of 18 films.

Watch the virtual ceremony below to catch a glimpse of some great works and to see which of the filmmakers get to be a part of the American Pavilion screening at the 74th annual Cannes International Film Festival in May of 2021, as well as other exciting prizes. 

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See the winners for the 2020 Fine Cut Festival of Films.

Jack Larson Student Filmmaker of Southern California Award

Winner: A-Tien, directed by Yueh Tzu Sun – New York Film Academy

An elder taxi driver behind the wheel | Still from "A-Tien" Fine Cut season 21 preview
An elder taxi driver behind the wheel | Still from "A-Tien" Fine Cut season 21 preview

More stories about filmmaking

Two men and two women sit on four wooden directors' chairs on a panel on a bare soundstage in front of a colorful backdrop that reads "Fine Cut"

'Fine Cut' Summit Guides Student Filmmakers Through the Festival Circuit

An 8mm film still "The Kitchen" (1975) by Alile Sharon Larkin. The still features an image of a young Black woman being escorted by two individuals in white coats. The image is a purple monochrome.

8 Essential Project One Films From the L.A. Rebellion Film Movement

A black and white photo of the Nicholas Brothers, Fayard on the left and Harold on the right, mid-air as they jump with their arms up and their legs pointed to the side. The two are in sync, their body language matched up to one another. Behind them is a band playing brass and wind instruments.

'Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971' Reveals the Tenacity of Black Creativity in Film

Narrative

Winner: Unmothered, directed by Urvashi Pathania – USC

A father and daughter hug in a busy street scene | Still from "Unmothered" Fine Cut S21
A father and daughter hug in a busy street scene | Still from "Unmothered"

Contenders:

Frog Catcher, directed by Reina Higashitani – University of California, Los Angeles

Hey Neighbor, directed by Emu – Chapman University

Milk Teeth, directed by Felipe Vargas – University of Southern California 

Out of Stock, directed by Bryan Taira – Chapman University

The Art of Survival, directed by Greg Armstrong – University of California, Los Angeles

Documentary

Winner: The Dope Years: The Story of Latasha Harlins – directed by Allison A. Waite – University of Southern California 

Two young African American girls | Still from "The Dope Years" Fine Cut S21
Two young African American girls | Still from "The Dope Years"

Contenders:

Doña Julia, directed by Dilan Garcia Lopez – California State University, Los Angeles

Nothing Down Out It, directed by Skyler DeYoung – Loyola Marymount University

Faith Alone, directed by Jess Kung – California State University, Long Beach

Animation

Winner: The Kitchlets – animation, directed by Clarisse Chua– California Institute of the Arts

Small animated figures look up at a stern woman | Still from "The Kitchlets" Fine Cut S21
Small animated figures look up at a stern woman | Still from "The Kitchlets"

Contenders:

Low-Key – animation, directed by Collin Schuster– University of Southern California 

A HOLE – animation, directed by Molly Murphy – University of Southern California 

Melted – animation, directed by Shuting Zhong – California Institute of the Arts

Mr. RuRu’s Adventure – animation, directed by Siti Lu – California Institute of the Arts

Sprout – animation, directed by Georgina Cahill – University of Southern California 

Two – animation, directed by Lindsay Scanlan – California Institute of the Arts

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