October 2024 Newsletter

2024 SUMMER INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY WORKSHOP

The 2024 Summer International Documentary Workshop took place in Paris, offering another great adventure and invaluable experience for our students. Following the success of the 2022 International Documentary Film Workshop in Italy, we successfully held this year's program in Paris. Seventeen undergraduate and graduate Cinema students participated in this faculty-led short-term study abroad program. With the support of EICAR (The International Film School of Paris), our students created five short documentary films during the workshop.

For more information about the program, please see the behind-the-scenes slideshow on Vimeo.

The Film Screening and celebration of the 2024 International Documentary Film Summer Workshop took place on September 12 at Coppola Theater was very well received with a big turnout.

SFSU 2024 Documentary Film Screening in Paris

MORE ACCLAIM FOR OF COLOR AND INK

"Of Color and Ink", a feature documentary film directed and produced by Professor Weimin Zhang continues to receive acclaim at international film festivals, exhibitions, and presentations around the world since its premiere in October 2023. Below are selected screenings and presentations:

  • June 21 – Heidelberg University, Germany
  • June 22 – Musée Cernuschi, Paris 
  • September 22 – Harvard University, MA 
  • October 18 – University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada 

For more information about Of Color and Ink, please check the website.

More screening information for Of Color and Ink

M.F.A. GRADUATE, BIRDY WEI-TING HUNG, WINS GOLD AT 51ST STUDENT ACADEMY AWARDS

The School of Cinema is thrilled to share the fantastic news that our M.F.A. graduate, Birdy Wei-Ting Hung, has been awarded the Gold prize for her thesis film, A Brighter Summer Day for the Lady Avengers (2024) at the 51st Student Academy Awards! It is a monumental achievement in Birdy's career.

Read the Press Release here. 

Watch the 2024 Student Academy Award Ceremony. At 20:02, Birdy talks about her film and 31:06 Birdy gives her acceptance speech.

Birdy giving her acceptance speech.

M.F.A./M.A. CINEMA GRADUATE DEGREE INFO SESSION

Registration is open for the School of Cinema's graduate degree info session on Thursday October 24, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. on Zoom! 

During the info session, guests will learn more about the M.A. in Cinema Studies degree and the M.F.A. in Cinema degree. The panel will include the School of Cinema's graduate coordinators, Professor Mihaela Mihailova and Professor Johnny Symons, as well as the director of the School of Cinema, Professor Aaron Kerner, and alumni & current students. This info session will not be recorded, but if you are unable to make it and have questions about the programs, please reach out to cinegrad@sfsu.edu.

SFSU Cinema MA MFA Info Session Flyer

26TH ANNUAL GRADUATE CINEMA CONFERENCE HAPPENING ON OCTOBER 25

Categories: Grad Student News, Events

Join us Friday, October 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in FA 438 for our 26th Annual Graduate Cinema Conference, hosted by the CINE Colloquium! This year's topic is The Liminal Age: Changing Cultures, Genres, and Relationships in the Digital Landscape. Speakers include our keynote, Dr. Shira Chess, members of SFSU’s Cinema M.A. cohort, and fellow graduate students outside of our university. Panels will be followed by Q&As. 

The event is open to all; food and drink are provided! For any questions about the event, please contact our CINE Colloquium email sfsuconference@gmail.com.

For more information, visit the carrd.

SFSU Cinema MA Conference flyer

GREEN TRANSITION OR GREEN IMPERIALISM 

Date: Wednesday, October 23
Time: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: J. Paul Leonard Library: Room 121

A screening of “Mikuba: Climate Justice + Cobalt Mining” and discussion with the filmmaker and other climate justice activists from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Learn how corporate "green tech/clean tech" "solutions" to the climate crisis are greenwashing extractivism and militarism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and what communities on the ground are doing about it. Learn how we can be in solidarity with the peoples impacted in Congo and everywhere for true climate justice. In addition to three amazing speakers, we will screen "Mikuba: Climate Justice + Cobalt Mining," and have a multi

Speakers:

  • Peter Ndaliko: Filmmaker, educator, and ancestral ecologist
  • Samuel Yagase: Co-founder, Group of Village Organizations for Autonomous Development
  • Marie-Claire Faray: Research Scientist in Biomedical and Molecular Microbiology
Green Transition of Green Imperialism event flyer

ANIMATED BUMPER CONTEST

Do you like to draw? Are you looking to add variety to your portfolio?

This semester and next semester there are a total of 17 thesis films in-production. Most of these films are forming production companies and would like an animated bumper logo - this is where you come in!

I’m holding a contest for my film’s animated bumper:  Design us a bumper based on 3 prompts we have in mind. The winner of the contest will receive credit on our thesis film as an Animator as well as a $25 gift card!

Inquire @gearhead.mov on Instagram.

OPIFICER MEDIA STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

The Opificer Media Student Film Festival at Heritage High School is open for submissions! Deadline is November 3, it is open to all high school and undergraduate students. 

Prizes:

  • Best film in show receives a $100 cash prize
  • Best college film receives a $50 cash prize 
  • Best High School Film receives a $50 cash prize
Opificer Film Festival event flyer

GAZA FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM SCREENING + DISCUSSION

Date: Thursday, November 14
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Coppola Theater (FA 101) 
 
The documentary “Gaza Fights for Freedom” (2019) tells the story of Gaza past and present, showing rare archival footage and infographics that explain a complex history rarely acknowledged by mass media. Following the film will be a panel discussion with Dr. Omar Zahzah (AMED), Mayuran Tiruchelvam (Cinema), and student activists from the General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS) and Students4Gaza. 

Gaza Fights for Freedom event flyer

THE DAWN IS TOO FAR: STORIES OF IRANIAN-AMERICAN LIFE FILM SCREENING

Date: Thursday, November 21
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Coppola Theater (FA 101) 
 
A documentary about the Iranian Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area, co-directed by Professor Persis Karim and Professor Soumyaa Behrens (both SF State faculty). 

Reception at 4:30 p.m., film screening at 5 p.m.; Q & A to follow. 

The Dawn is Too Far event flyer

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. 

Feminist Filmmaker Fellowship Logo

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

Queer Cinema Coalition Logo

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 

Animation Society Logo

LATINO/A/X FILM CLUB RECRUITING FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

The Latino/a/x Film Club is now recruiting students 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/a/x cinema in the United States. 

For more information contact: GRogado@sfsu.edu

Latinoax Film Club Logo

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

  • Pablo Riquelme: Production Coordinator
School of Cinema hallway with checkered flooring

Monday, October 21, 2024

  • Last Day to Register to Vote

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

  • General Election

Monday, November 11, 2024

  • Fall '24 Veterans Day; No Classes; Office Closed

Monday, November 18, 2024

  • Fall '24 Withdrawal from Classes or University For Serious and Compelling Reasons Ends

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

  • Fall '24 Withdrawal from Classes or University By Exception for Documented Serious and Compelling Reasons Begins

Monday, November 25, 2024

  • Fall '24 Recess; No Classes; Campus Open

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

  • Fall '24 Recess; No Classes; Campus Open

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

  • Fall '24 Recess; No Classes; Campus Open

Thursday, November 28, 2024

  • Fall '24 Recess; No Classes; Campus Closed (Thanksgiving)

Friday, November 29, 2024

  • Fall '24 Recess; No Classes; Campus Closed
  • Fall '24 Indigenous Peoples Day; No Classes; Office Closed

Saturday, November 30, 2024

  • Fall '24 Recess; No Classes; Campus Closed