Last night was a big night for student filmmaking on campus as three Columbia University students were selected as regional finalists for the 39^th Annual Student Academy Awards.

Christoph Kuschnig, SoA’12, Bora Kim, SoA’11, and Mark Raso, SoA’12, were each honored yesterday during the Region Three Semifinals ceremony at the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International on 59^th Street. Kuschnig’s “Hatch,” Kim’s “The Recorder Exam,” and Raso’s “Under” were all screened in the Narrative Films category, followed by the awards announcements and a cocktail reception to celebrate the recipients’ accomplishments. They beat out three other films from students from both Columbia and New York University.

Established in 1972 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Student Academy Awards were created to help “support and encourage excellence in filmmaking at the collegiate level.”  Each year, over five hundred college and university filmmakers from around the country submit their films for the chance to win gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as corresponding cash prizes. Films are submitted by late March/early April and are divided into four categories: alternative, animation, documentary, narrative and foreign student film. Up to three films per category are eventually selected as finalists in each of the three regions. Additionally, a foreign film category was set up to recognize accomplishments in film from student filmmakers outside the United States. These winners then move onto the national level.  Past Student Academy Award Winners have included eventual Oscar winners and nominees such as Spike Lee, Pete Docter, Trey Parker, Bob Saget, John Lasseter, and Robert Zemekis. Last year alone, Columbia saw alumna Brigitte Liebowitz, SoA’10, win the Silver Medal in the narrative category.

Kuschnig, Kim, and Raso’s films will next be screened and considered for national finalist recognition in Los Angeles, California. Good luck and congratulations to the three.