February 4, 2009

USC STUDENT WINS PASADENA FILM AWARD

“Moonrock and Lighter Fluid” has been selected as the winner of the first Pasadena Student Film Award organized by the Filming and Special Events Office of the Planning and Development Department.

Ninety percent of the winning 17-minute short family drama was shot by Charles R. Uy on location in Pasadena with a Sony Alta-Vista F-900 camera. The film was his graduate thesis project for the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

Uy received a trophy presented by Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and a $500 grant to be used toward his next film project. The entire film as well as a trailer can be viewed at www.moonrockmovie.com.

All submissions were reviewed by the Filming and Special Events Office and the top three were reviewed by a distinguished panel of Pasadena residents who work in the film industry: Rod Lurie, writer and director of the 2000 Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated film “The Contender” and the 2008 film “Nothing But the Truth”; Steven Culp, an actor with credits including “The West Wing,” “Desperate Housewives” and “JAG”; and Jim Maceo, a production supervisor/location manager whose filmography includes “Sister Act,” “I Y Huckabees” and “All the King’s Men.”

The runners-up in the competition were USC student David Greenspan’s “Yokai” and Chris Sanagustin’s “Fleece,” which she produced as part of the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women project.

Deadline for submissions for the second annual competition will be Aug. 1, 2009. The competition is open to film students who use Pasadena locations in their class-related projects and have valid filming permits. There is no entry fee.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Kristin Dewey at (626) 744-3964 or kdewey@cityofpasadena.net.