FREEDOM TO CHOOSE IS ANNOUNCED WINNER AT THE AMERICAN PAVILION EMERGING FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE FOR DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY AT THE 2009 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
(LOS ANGELES) --- The University of Santa Monica's short film, Freedom to Choose, screened to a moved house this past Saturday, May 16, at the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival – with the film being one of two documentaries to make the final screening list.
USM's Freedom to Choose short film is available for viewing
here.The University is thrilled to announce that Freedom to Choose was announced the winner for the documentary category. Winners of the Emerging Filmmakers Showcase will be featured in a special showcase screening for an invited audience of industry professionals. Dates and details to be announced.
"We are filled with joy at this extraordinary news. We thank the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase and all those who put their time, expertise, generous donations, and precious energy into the Freedom to Choose documentary." Drs. Ron and Mary Hulnick, USM President and Chief Academic Officer.
The University extends its deepest gratitude to a number of key graduates who donated time, energy, expertise, and money to make this film a reality, including Executive Producers Heide Banks '96 and Howard Lazar '02; Director and Producer Kirk Souder '06; and Producer Scott Mednick '97, who also serves on USM's Board of Directors. In addition, the University extends appreciation to Producer Jimmy Greenway and Director and Producer Michael Nadeau of Art and Industry Productions for their outstanding work and contribution.
This uplifting film chronicles the extraordinary triumph of the human Spirit. Freedom to Choose shares the story of 46 graduate volunteers from USM's Master's Program in Spiritual Psychology and 160 inmates at Valley State Prison for Women who came together for a radical experiment that would change them all -- forever.
USM also thanks all the women at the Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California, who had the courage to participate in USM's Freedom to Choose Workshop, the graduate volunteers who have participated in this service project, and University faculty members and Directors of the Freedom to Choose Prison Project, Drs. David and Bonnie Paul.
The Freedom to Choose full-length documentary has also received the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking at the 2009 Honolulu International Film Festival. In addition, it has been chosen for inclusion in the 2009 Ventura Film Festival in Ventura, California, March 26-29, the 2009 White Sands Film Festival held in Las Cruces, New Mexico, April 23-26, and the 2009 West Chester Film Festival held in West Chester, Pennsylvania, April 24-26. The Freedom to Choose short version is currently in the lead in the documentary category for the Very Short Film Festival.
You are invited to view this short film today on our website by clicking here. To learn more about the University of Santa Monica's Graduate Programs in Spiritual Psychology, click here.
