A Word from the Director
We are facing unprecedented challenges on campus, and the news is filled with more than its fair share of doom and gloom. But hopefully during this time of light — nearly every religious tradition celebrates light during Winter, the darkest part of the year — we might find our own glimmers of hope. I hope that you might find solace in those around you, with your family and friends. I close with, “Carol of the Bells,” which originated as a Ukrainian carol. Regardless of your religious affiliation I hope that you might all find some peace and comfort in all the various celebrations of light and the beauty of human song.
Be well and I encourage you to participate in an act of random kindness.
Aaron Kerner
Director of the School of Cinema
ADVANCED LIGHTING, FALL 2023, SHOWCASE
Austin Briggs, Lecturer in the School of Cinema, put together a short showcase of the work that happened Fall 2023 in his Advanced Lighting course.
PROFESSOR WEIMIN ZHANG'S ASIA PREMIERE OF HER FEATURE DOCUMENTARY Of Color and Ink WINS BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY FILM AWARD
Professor Weimin Zhang’s feature documentary film Of Color and Ink had a successful Asia premiere in Hong Kong Palace Museum on Dec. 8. At the same time, at the 20th China (Guangzhou) International Documentary Film Festival, the largest documentary film festival in Asia, among 7280 film entries submitted from 156 countries Of Color and Ink was selected into the finalist of 45 films and it finally won the Best Feature Documentary Film award. The film was very well received by the audience in both Hong Kong and China. Of Color and Ink is now distributed in Hong Kong and expected to be shown in Taiwan and mainland China right after.
Stay tuned for updates on local screenings of Of Color and Ink.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MIHAELA MIHAILOVA RECEIVES NEH
Assistant Professor Mihaela Mihailova has been awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities grant through “The Dangers and Opportunities of Technology: Perspectives from the Humanities” program. Her book project, “Synthetic Creativity: Deepfakes in Contemporary Media,” will investigate the aesthetics, application, dissemination and ontological status of deepfakes across media contexts, including digital artworks, social activism, museum exhibits and film and television.
Additionally, Assistant Professor Mihaela Mihailova published an article on the aesthetic evolution of anime director Mamoru Hosoda's digital spaces in the Journal of Japanese and Korean Cinema. Many thanks to Professor Steve Choe, the journal's general editor, for putting her in touch with the editor of this issue's animation section.
PROFESSOR McBRIDE'S WILDER DOINGS
Professor Joseph McBride has recorded his eleventh audio commentary for a film directed by Billy Wilder. His commentary for Wilder’s 1957 film Witness for the Prosecution will be released February 6 by Kino Lorber in its Blu-ray edition of the Agatha Christie play adaptation. On February 13, McBride’s 2021 critical study, Billy Wilder: Dancing on the Edge, will be released for the first time in paperback by Columbia University Press. Professor McBride has taught courses on Wilder at the School of Cinema.
PROFESSOR BERNARDI INTERVIEWED ABOUT MEXICAN-AMERICAN JENNIFER MORENO AND HIS DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HER — Ultimate Sacrifice: Capt. Jennifer Moreno
Jeneé Darden on KALW interviewed Professor Bernardi about his documentary Ultimate Sacrifice: Capt. Jennifer Moreno. The featured subject of Bernardi's documentary, Jennifer Moreno, fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse. While on tour in Afghanistan, however, she died when attempting to aid a wounded soldier. Listen to the interview here.
FEMINIST FILMMAKER FELLOWSHIP (F3)
The Feminist Filmmaker Fellowship (F3) aims to provide an open and safe space, virtual or in-person, advocating for womxn and non-binary filmmakers. Our events allow leadership development to flourish by listening to members to help bring their ideas to life.
Follow us on Instagram @feministfilmmakerfellowship for all our updates and to help us make some films.
JOIN QUEER CINEMA COALITION
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 SF State and beyond.
Follow us on Instagram @queercinemacoalition.
JOIN THE ANIMATION SOCIETY
The Animation Society strives to educate and provide an inclusive space for creative SF State students to learn about and discover a love for animation.
Email: animationsocietyatsfsuofficial@gmail.com
Website: Animation Society Wixsite
Instagram: @animationsocietysfsu
Dear Prospective Students:
The School of Cinema offers in-person tours of our facilities. Please make an appointment by contacting the Cinema Office at cinema@sfsu.edu.
- Drew Lewis: School of Cinema, Tech
- Pablo Riquelme: Production Coordinator
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
- Fall '23 Grading Period
- Fall '23 Grades Due by Faculty
- Fall '23 Semester Ends
Friday, January 5, 2024
- Fall '23 Grades Available on SF State Gateway
Monday, January 15, 2024
- Fall '23 Official Transcripts Available with Semester Grades
Key Dates for Winter 2024 Session:
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
- First Day of Instruction
- Last Day to Drop with Full Refund
- Enrollment possible only with permission numbers from instructor after this date
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
- Last Day to Drop for 75% Refund
Thursday, January 4, 2024
- No refunds for classes dropped on, or after, this date
Friday, January 5, 2024
- Add/Drop/Audit Deadline
Saturday, January 6, 2024
- Withdrawal petition required to withdraw after this date
Monday, January 15, 2024
- Campus closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
- CR/NC Deadline
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
- Last Day of Instruction
Friday, January 26, 2024
- Grades Available on SF State Gateway