Student Academy Awards receive record number of entries

Apr 08, 2009 by Ian Evans

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 2009 Student Academy Awards has received a record 559 entries, from students representing 103 U.S. colleges and universities. Added to this are a record 57 entries from 39 countries have submitted in the Honorary Foreign Film award category; the pool includes first-ever entries from Egypt and Estonia. The competition — now in its 36th year — will culminate in the presentation of trophies and prize money on Saturday, June 13, at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

AMPAS established the awards in 1972 to support and encourage excellence in filmmaking at the collegiate level. Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal awards may be presented in each of four categories: Animation, Narrative, Documentary and Alternative. Additionally, one film is selected each year to receive the Honorary Foreign Film award.