The Whittier Film Festival opened with a gala on Sept. 19 at the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, bringing filmmakers, alumni, students, and other community members together to kick off a weekend of screenings and panels.
The opening night gala saw special guests Robert Carradine and Paul Rodriguez receive recognition for their work and be inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame, as well as speeches by local politicians. Oingo Bongo drummer Johnny Vatos and the Wiseguys Big Band Machine provided musical entertainment.
Theatre, Film and Communication Arts Department Chair Jennifer S. Holmes and Film Professor Patti McCarthy were honored with a Certificate of Recognition from the State Senate of California and Sen. Bob Archuleta for “their dedication and partnership to help make the Whittier Film Festival a resounding success by bringing a one of a kind cultural celebration to our community that uplifts the art of film” and to their mission of supporting students and arts education. The pair screened the feature film, Carlos Through the Tall Grass, produced by Professor McCarthy and co-produced by Professor Holmes, on Saturday at the Starlight Cinema, which was awarded Best Comedy in the Whittier Film Festival.
“It was an incredible honor to be recognized at the opening of Whittier’s first film festival and to be part of the festival team that turned the dream of having a world-class festival into a reality,” McCarthy said. “But more than anything, I was proud to see our students' creativity, passion, and hard work celebrated. This festival showed that Whittier is a place where storytellers are born.”
The following Whittier College student productions won awards at the festival:
Things of Beauty Student Film: Best Fantasy Directed by Meredith Lee
Infinity Student Film: Music Video Directed by Lauren Blazey
Argus Student Film: Drama Directed by Lauren Blazey
In Memoriam Student Film: Drama Directed by Lauren Swintek
In Another Place Student Film: Experimental Directed by Emerson Little
Black Blood Best Western Directed by Chris Payne and Lachland Davidson
H.O.T: Hispanic Outreach Taskforce Community Service Award Best Student Documentary Directed by Keidan Chavez
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