2007 Angelus Student Film Festival Announces Finalists in Live Action, Animation & Documentary Categories
September 19, 2007

23 Chosen From More than 400 Submissions
Student Filmmakers To Vie for Nearly $25,000 in Cash and Prizes

The Peter Glenville Foundation Joins List of Angelus Sponsors Including Mole-Richardson, Priddy Bros. Entertainment

Hollywood, CA – The 2007 Angelus Student Film Festival has announced that 23 finalists have been selected in three categories – live action, animation and documentary – from more than 400 entries, representing 141 film schools in nearly two dozen countries. Since its inception in 1996, nearly 4,500 films have been submitted to the annual competition, recently named by Moviemaker Magazine as "Best Festival Bet for Student Filmmakers".

Six finalists represent New York University; three, Stanford University; and two each, Columbia University, N.Y., and the University of Southern California. Schools with one finalist include American Film Institute, Los Angeles; UCLA; Chapman University, Orange, Calif.; Los Angeles Film School and the Polish National Film School, Lodz, Poland.

A jury comprised of professionals from the fields of live action, documentary and animation will convene and judge the films within their specialization. The winning films will then be announced and screened at the Angelus Student Film Festival, to be held at the Directors Guild of America on Saturday, October 27, at 5:30 p.m.

Among the more recent festival sponsors is The Peter Glenville Foundation, joining long-time supporters and sponsors Mole-Richardson Company and Priddy Brothers Entertainment. The Peter Glenville Foundation, which provided underwriting for the 2006 Angelus screening and awards ceremony, has expanded its commitment to fund other screening events of the Angelus winners, including at the University of Notre Dame and in Rome.

"The quality, scope and diversity of these films are excellent in reflecting such themes as compassion, redemption, triumph of the human spirit, tolerance, peacemaking and hope," said Monika Moreno, director of the Angelus Student Film Festival. She added, "The scope of the festival itself continues to increase in the quality and number of entries, and the interest and support of the film industry as evidenced by the jurors and sponsors involved. The students continue to express how much they are affirmed through their participation in this festival."

Currently in its 12th year, the international festival cultivates, honors and showcases future filmmakers as they explore and create works that respect the dignity of the human person. Family Theater Productions created the Angelus Student Film Festival in 1996 and continues to conduct the annual festival.

Nearly $25,000 in cash and prizes will be presented to the winning filmmakers, including the coveted $10,000 Patrick Peyton Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, one of the highest cash awards for student filmmakers in the industry.

Since 1947, Family Theater Productions, a Catholic media outlet, has been creating award-winning radio, television and cinema programs, which celebrate individual dignity and the value of the family. Family Theater gave 1950s star actor James Dean and producer/director George Lucas their first on-screen credits. Hundreds of major film and television stars have appeared in Family Theater Productions' programs since its inception.

For more information, please visit the website at www.angelusawards.org