Official Selections: 9th LA Student Film Festival
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film
Lukso ng Dugo
Animation
As Mae and her mother prepare for dinner, she senses a mysterious presence lingering outside of her home. Tensions rise during dinner when Mae’s father lashes out, pushing her to do something she’s never done before: stand up to her father. With the unexpected help of a monster inspired by Filipino folklore, Mae and her mother confront their fears and begin a journey towards healing.
Director: Annika Magbanua
Producer: Joe Schwall
Production Coordinator: Allyson Hou
Composer: Gisula
Story Artists: Ashley Hua, Katie Wilson, Bianca Rader
Visual Development: Brandon Wang, Dany Alano
Animation: Hunter Josephson, Annika Magbanua, Archie Hilomen
Cast: Paolo Asuncion, Maricar Bella, Annika Magbanua
Editor: Joe Schwall
Lukso ng Dugo was produced as a capstone project by a core team of graduating seniors at San Jose State University, supported by a team of volunteer students and professional artists.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luksongdugofilm
Placed: The Journey Through Foster Care
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the differencThe Journey Through Foster Care explores the reality of the Foster Care System that is hidden in plain sight. By going into the homes of foster parents, and asking social care workers for answers, this student documentary sheds light on the real voices and untold stories of the Foster System.
Director: Gregory R. Kennedy
Producers: Gregory R. Kennedy, Roland Flynn
Writers: Sophia DiCosola, Kristine Hillstrom, Joe Sullivan, Megan Sullivan, Jaqueline Sweet
Cast: Craig Anderson, Cheyanne Aslept, Staci Becker, Julia Eckrich, Monique Fullen, Fawn Gadel, Jena Gianangeli, Jaylin Hart, Aryunna Hill, Kyle Holden, Milee Lentz, Irvin McDonald, Jessica Michels, Patresa Parsons, Mickey Shuey, D. Shuey, Katie Vasil
Cinematographers: Sophia DiCosola, Ellis Dunn, Megan Sullivan, Claire Owsiany, Hayden Parsons, Meghan Ryan, Kristine Hillstrom
Editors: Kristianna Walters, Claire Owsainy, Meghan Ryan, Marissa Perkins, Hayden Parsons
Awards & Accolades: Ohio Valley Emmy Nomination for Non-Fiction (Long Form), Best Documentary from The Indie Gathering Film Festival, Accepted in the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival for Student Documentary
Website: https://udfostercaredoc.wixsite.com/placed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/udfostercaredoc/e.
Roman Candle
Short - Animation
On his last delivery of the night, a lovestruck teenage pizza boy must defend himself with fireworks against a dark, mysterious figure that won’t stop following him.
Director: Michael Banke, Maxon Horton
Producer: Zane Kalani, Aaron Holmes
Writer: Zane Kalani
Cast: Ginger Anderson, JJ Carroll, Nate Hollingsworth, Jeslyn Rain
Editor: Maxon Horton, Zane Kalani
Awards: PBS Fine Cut Finalist
Instagram: @roman.candlefilm
Max and Michael worked tirelessly to make sure this film was done and that it was the best work they could produce. They worked during all of their Senior year which came with many sacrifices. Max and Michael both almost got dumped by their girlfriends because they were constantly working and never going on any dates. They both almost failed all of their classes and are at the mercy of their understanding and compassionate professors. Michael lived off of the McDonald’s rewards app and Max developed a stress-induced rash that required constant application of medical cream. To keep themselves going, they would treat themselves with animated movies and shorts as a way of research and time away from the computer. During spring break, Michael and Max brought air mattresses into the computer lab and decided to move in for the week. Both of them were met with motion sensor lights that would constantly turn on and off throughout the night. Sleep was not an option.