Director's Note:
So much good news to share. First, of course, is that we are rapidly approaching the end of the academic year. A school-year that has had its share of challenges—from the lingering and still present pandemic to world and national events that have immeasurable consequences. And yet, we have pulled through. I hope that we all, as a community continue to support one another in these very troubling times.
Second, we have been blessed with numerous gifts, allowing us to award more scholarships than we ever have in the past. We are giving out more than $15,000 this year in scholarships. I want to thank all the family and community members that have made generous gifts to the School of Cinema that have made this possible. Our students are doing incredible things and it is so gratifying to be able to recognize the achievements of our students with these scholarships.
Third, I would like to thank Weimin Zhang and Steve Choe for their service as MFA and MA coordinators respectively. We recently held elections for most of our Coordinator positions. Scott Boswell was elected for a second three-year term as Undergraduate Coordinator. Elizabeth Ramirez-Soto was elected to serve as our MA Coordinator—she will be our first woman serving a full-term in this position. And Johnny Symons will be serving as our MFA Coordinator.
Fourth, I just sat as one of the jurors for our 62nd annual Film Finals program. We had over 100 entries from our students, and it was gratifying to see the creative works that our students produce. From dramatic narratives to documentary and experimental films, the range and quality of the work is quite impressive.
And finally, I am especially excited to announce that we have completed a Search for a new faculty member in the area of Fiction Directing. The call for this position required that the successful candidate have the capacity to teach fiction filmmaking with a particular emphasis on stories from diverse and marginalized communities. The outcome of the Search was more than we could have ever hoped for. We did not get just one hire, but in fact TWO! This is exceedingly rare, but we had tremendous candidates. And thankfully, our Dean, Andrew Harris recognized the opportunity set before us, and he helped us to secure two fantastic candidates. Let me then be the first to introduce you to our two new colleagues who will be joining us this coming Fall: Assistant Professor Rafael Flores, and Assistant Professor Rae Shaw.
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Many of you might already know Flores, he has been a Lecturer with us for many years now. Flores’s whole career—as a practicing filmmaker, and an educator—aligns with the mission of the School, and the nature of the call. Flores actively seeks to serve disadvantaged students from diverse backgrounds. Flores’s endeavor to help actualize a student’s “voice” corresponds with the nature of the position and the general mission of the School of Cinema.
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Rae Shaw comes to us from Emerson College (Boston), and is an award-winning writer-director. One of the strengths is her insistence on seeing the “whole” student. Shaw is clearly invested in ensuring that her students are not just good technicians, but also well-rounded. Shaw celebrates the spirit of a Liberal Arts education, emphasizing the value of exposure to literature and other disciplines. Filmmaking is not just a technical venture, but a creative expression of the human experience—and Shaw’s commitment to a Liberal Arts education strives to enrich our students’ storytelling potential. Shaw in her approach to teaching aligns with our mission.
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Aaron Kerner
Director of the School of Cinema
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Undergraduate Advising Coordinator News
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Graduating Students: I want to express my heartiest congratulations to all of you graduating this spring! It's been wonderful getting to work with a number of you face-to-face this academic year. I wish you success in your future endeavors!
Continuing Students: We know many of you still have questions about the upcoming school year. Please don't hesitate to schedule time with a faculty advisor before summer break. Here's a link to find us.
All the best,
Scott Boswell
Associate Professor / Undergraduate Advising Coordinator
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SFSU COVID-19 News and Cinema Responses
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Please go to this link for up to date campus operation communications during the COVID-19 crisis: news.sfsu.edu/covid-19
Please go to this link to see the SFSU CINEMA responses to the COVID-19 health crisis: cinema.sfsu.edu
Please check the SFSU's Campus Comeback website for the latest updates on reopening.
Summary of current COVID-related information:
- Although state and some local authorities are beginning to lift mask mandates, SFSU will continue with the University masking policy (KN-95 masks are available from building coordinators and the Cesar Chavez Student Center).
- Boosters are required for students, faculty, and unrepresented employees as of February 28th. Represented staff are encouraged to get their boosters while the CSU awaits the meet and confer process with the unions.
- Students and employees who have received exemptions will be required to test regularly. Students who do not comply will be withdrawn from courses. Employees who do not comply will be referred to Human Resources.
- If a student in a class tests positive, they are required to isolate for 10 days, but can test back into a class after five days. This also applies to employees.
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SFSU Student Resources
During this Public Health Crises
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You can find information about using the Hope Crisis Fund, or donating to it at:
https://dos.sfsu.edu/content/sf-state-hope-fund-crisis-loan-application
Helpful resources are also located in this page maintained by the ARC, including information about the basic needs, the food pantry and short term loans:
https://advisinglca.sfsu.edu/content/student-resources
STUDENTS WHO ARE U.S. CITIZENS OR GREEN CARD HOLDERS, WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME, CAN NOW APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT:
https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/filing_a_claim.htm
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PROFESSOR EMERITUS BILL NICHOLS RECEIVES THE 2022 "DISTINGUISHED CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD"
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The Society for Cinema and Media Studies recognized Professor Emeritus, Bill Nichols, with the 2022 "Distinguished Career Achievement Award." Professor Nichols taught in the School of Cinema for many years, having helped to create our graduate programs. He is one of the leading figures in the study of documentary, with publications such as Representing Reality, and was instrumental in shaping the discipline of film and media studies with his collections Movie and Methods Volume I & II.
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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MIHAELA MIHAILOVA RECEIVES TWO GRANTS
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Assistant Professor Mihaela Mihailova was awarded the Marcus Undergraduate Research Assistantship Grant for Academic Year 2022-2023. This grant will allow her to work with a student assistant on a video essay project tentatively titled "Animation Matters: Interrogating Diversity in Mainstream Animated Features."
She also received an LCA Mini Grant for an academic anthology chapter titled "Acting Algorithms: Deepfake Performances in Contemporary Media."
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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MIHAILOVA'S TURNING RED BLOG ARTICLE
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Professor Mihailova recently published a blog article on Pixar's film Turning Red, which can be found at this link.
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The 62nd Film Finals screening will take place in the beautiful Roxie Theatre on Tuesday, May 17th at 6 PM.
Buy tickets for the live event here!
See the Cinema events page for a webinar link.
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Date and Time: Thursday, May 19th at 7:30 PM (Reception) and 8:00 PM (Screening)
Location: Coppola Theatre (Fine Arts 101)
Queer Cinema Project presents Queer Film Finals, featuring the works of the 2021-22 Queer Cinema Project Fellows. This fellowship supports students who are making an LGBTQ+ film.
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SFSU SCHOOL OF CINEMA GRADUATION CEREMONY
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The School of Cinema Graduation Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 27th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on the south side patio outside the Fine Arts Building and on Zoom.
Register for the online graduation ceremony:
https://sfsu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nZU2jeZvTyac7jLdFxWovw
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QUEER CINEMA COALITION (QCC)
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Queer Cinema Coalition ensures a safe and creative space for LGBTQ+ filmmakers on campus to learn how to make our mark in an industry that doesn’t prioritize our voices. Through guest speakers, screenings/discussions, and community organizing, we build life-long connections to help us survive and thrive as filmmakers at SFSU and beyond.
Follow us on instagram @queercinemacoalition.
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THE FEMINIST FILMMAKER FELLOWSHIP (F3)
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Hello students!
The Feminist Filmmaker Fellowship aspires to provide a safe space for students with a passion for film. We host weekly meetings on Mondays from 5-6 PM in person and with Zoom open for those who are unable to attend. We hope to see you there!
Stay tuned as our Women's Panel and 2022 - 2023 F3 Elections are coming up. We are constantly updating our members through social media, follow us to stay up to date.
Instagram: @feministfilmmakerfellowship
Weebly
“Adelita" Indiegogo (first ever F3 production)
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LATINO/A/X FILM CLUB NOW RECRUITING FOR FALL 2022
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The newly formed Latino/a/x Film Club is now recruiting students for the first-ever formed cinema club dedicated to improving the representation of Latinos in the film industry and celebrating the contributions they have made to the media industry. Students and allies from any discipline are welcome to join regardless of their academic background. This club has regular monthly activities to facilitate networking, resume building, attracting potential paid gigs, and studying the legacy of Latino cinema in the United States.
For more information contact:
President: Daniel Tinajero - DTinajero@mail.sfsu.edu
Faculty Advisor: Rafael Flores - Raflores@mail.sfsu.edu
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School of Cinema Events on Vimeo
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To the School of Cinema,
Over the past year The School of Cinema has hosted webinars on a myriad of subjects related to our diverse curriculum. All of these webinars are available for viewing on our Vimeo website at the Showcase:
SFSU Cinema School Events
Password: SFSUCinemaEvents
There is something for everyone and we hope you will avail yourselves to these recordings in the coming months.
Artie Farkas
Technical Lead
SFSU School of Cinema
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ONLINE TOUR WITH CINEMA TECHNICAL STAFF
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Dear Prospective Students:
The School of Cinema is offering online tours every Tuesday from 2:30-3:30p.m. You will have the opportunity to hear about our facilities, studios, equipment and meet our technical staff.
Zoom link here
Arthur Farkas: TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR
Pablo Riquelme: PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
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2022 CSU MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
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The deadline to submit to the CSU Media Arts Festival is approaching. Please see the information below on how to submit your film.
SUBMISSION FORM LINK
Click on the link and choose to apply to the Media Arts Festival. Submitters will be asked to create an account with SlideRoom.
SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: Monday, May 23, 2022
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS & INFO:
- Submitters must be current or recent former students of the California State University who created the work while enrolled at a CSU campus between May 2021 and May 2022. Students must submit their own projects. We are not able to accept projects submitted on behalf of the students.
- Each student or former student may submit ONE project, however, students may be listed as contributors on multiple projects submitted by other students.
- Categories for submission are:
- Animation
- Documentary/Creative Non-Fiction & Television News (now combined)
- Interactive & Immersive Media
- Narrative (includes Experimental Narrative)
- Short Screenplay (up to 30 pages)
Visit their website for comprehensive information about submitting to the competition.
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49TH STUDENT ACADEMY AWARDS CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
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The 49th Student Academy Awards competition is accepting submissions until June 1, 2022. Only films that are final graduation projects (i.e. capstone films for undergraduates, thesis films for graduates) are automatically eligible for entry. Students may submit these films directly to the competition. Please visit the website for comprehensive information about eligibility and submission process.
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May 17
Film Finals at 6 PM
Location: Roxie Theatre (and via webinar)
May 19
Animation Film Finals at 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: Coppola Theatre (Fine Arts 101)
May 19
Queer Film Finals and Reception at 7:30-9:00 PM
Location: Coppola Theatre (Fine Arts 101)
May 23
CSU Media Arts Festival Submission Deadline
SUBMISSION FORM LINK
May 27
School of Cinema Graduation Ceremony at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: South side patio outside the Fine Arts Building (and via webinar)
June 1
49th Student Academy Awards Submission Deadline
APPLY HERE
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