UCLA 2010 Festival spotlights Joe Russo and Randy Cartwright

By April MacIntyre May 7, 2010, 5:29 GMT

Randy Cartwright\'s animation, courtesy of Cartwright

The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) will present its annual week-long celebration of its students’ work in film, video, animation, producing, screenwriting and theater during, UCLA 2010 Festival of New Creative Work, beginning June 4-10, 2010, at various venues throughout the heart of Westwood and the UCLA Campus. 

The annual Festival will kick off its opening weekend by honoring Emmy Award-winning director Joe Russo with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and Academy Award-winning Animator Randy Cartwright will be presented the Outstanding Contribution to Animation Award, at two separate Festival events.

Throughout the eight-day celebration, the UCLA 2010 Festival of New Creative Work will showcase more than 100 films from TFT students as well as several presentations of screenplays and producer developed projects.

During the opening night festivities, students will receive awards voted on by their peers recognizing excellence in a variety of categories including directing, cinematography, writing, editing and production design.

In addition, during the opening night celebration, students will present the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Joe Russo on Friday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the James Bridges Theater on campus.  A few of Russo’s most celebrated directing credits include the multiple Emmy-winning and Golden Globe Nominated Fox series “Arrested Development,” for which Russo won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.

The following day, Saturday, June 5, UCLA's Animation Prom will honor alumnus and veteran animator Randy Cartwright, with the Outstanding Contribution to Animation Award during the 7:30 pm presentation.

After studying under UCLA Animation Workshop Professor Dan McLaughlin, Cartwright was accepted to Walt Disney Studio’s new animation training program.  While there he worked on “The Rescuers,” “Pete’s Dragon,” and “The Fox and the Hound.”  Cartwright has worked on many of Hollywood’s most critically acclaimed animated movies ever made including the “Toy Story” and “Shrek” franchises, “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” The Animation Prom features an eclectic collection of new animated student films produced in a full range of styles.

The fest will present two screenings, one at 4:00 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. at the James Bridges Theater.

Additional honorees, keynote speakers and student winners for other Festival events such as the Design Showcase West, Screenwriters Showcase, Producers Marketplace and Directors Spotlight, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Admission is free for all events, please visit www.tft.ucla.edu/festival2010. Campus parking for the festival is available for $10 (all day) or at the Pay-by-Space hourly parking stations in Lot 3.

The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television is consistently ranked among the nation's leading institutions, is unique in the world, bringing together the arts of theater, film and television in one academic institution.  www.tft.ucla.edu.