Camarillo, CA. – Three CSU Channel Islands (CI) students won top honors at the 2010 CSU Media Arts Festival (MAF), which was held Nov. 6 at the CSU Fullerton campus. It is the eighth consecutive year that CI students have earned top honors.

The annual event allows CSU students to present their film, video, and interactive media work for critical review. A total of 131 student entries from the CSU system were received and judged by a panel of industry experts who chose 29 finalists for award competition within nine categories: Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Interactive, Music Video, Narrative, Television, Feature Screenplay, and Short Screenplay.

The festival, the largest of its kind in California, showcases student work that is chosen as best in the state. The festival also featured seminars with leading industry experts and events to prepare students to pursue careers in the entertainment and media industries. The finalist projects were screened at the Festival and Rosebud Award (first place) winners were announced including CI students:

· Shannon Scobey, a senior Art major from Ventura, was awarded the First Place Rosebud Award for her Interactive entry, www.SatisFactorySweets.com. Ms. Scobey’s film also earned her the $500 cash prize that accompanies a Rosebud Award.

· Claire Flores, a senior Art major from Ventura, won the First Place Rosebud Award for her music video entry, Pilar, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_uFRVmjEKI. Ms. Flores’ video also earned her a $500 cash prize.

· Ryan Hunnewell, a junior Art major from Simi Valley, received Second Place recognition for his music video entry, Dear Chatsworth, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S20VkqfPL2w

Liz King, Associate Professor of Art at CI, who teaches interactive media and web design and stated that the Festival has continued to allow CI students to, “… compete with their talented CSU peers throughout California.” “Every year CI students have done extremely well at the Festival and it is this type of opportunity and that gives our students the confidence and exposure needed to succeed as they get ready to enter into very competitive entertainment industry careers.”

First place winner Claire Flores stated, “It is an honor to be selected as a winner of the Media Arts Festival and Rosebud Award for my animated music video. I couldn’t have done it without the help and guidance of Professors Liz King and Kathleen Quaife. Animation takes a lot of hard work, time, and effort and it’s nice to have that work be recognized of myself and that of my fellow CI student winners for their projects.”

MAF allows students in the California State University system the opportunity to be in professional competition. This gives students necessary skills for transition between producing films, video, and interactive media in college classes to related industries. Visit www.mediaartsfestival.org for a full listing of all winner and place awards plus videos of the Rosebud Award winning films. MAF operates under the umbrella of CSU Summer Arts, www.csusummerarts.org.

CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.