HOLLYWOOD, CA – April 3, 2025

 

Hollywood State University (HSU) is celebrating an unprecedented wave of success as student filmmakers from various departments brought home top honors from prestigious international film festivals last semester.

​

Leading the accolades was graduate student Mateo Guerrero, whose thesis film "Borderlands" won the Student Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival's Cinéfondation section. The powerful drama, which explores immigration and identity, was praised by judges for its "stunning cinematography and authentic emotional resonance."

​

"This recognition validates everything we strive to teach at HSU," said Professor Marcus Greene, Head of the Film Department. "Mateo's success demonstrates that when technical skill meets genuine storytelling, our students can compete on the world stage."

​

In the animation category, a collaborative project from the School of Animation and Visual Effects received top honors at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. "Metamorphosis," created by a team led by senior Evan Johnson, combined traditional stop-motion techniques with cutting-edge CGI to create what festival judges called "a breathtaking visual experience that pushes the boundaries of the medium."

​

The documentary field saw similar success when Emma Collins, a freshman whose natural talent has quickly distinguished her at HSU, received the Emerging Filmmaker Award at Hot Docs for her intimate portrait of Hollywood street performers, "Behind the Makeup."

​

Other notable achievements included:

• Liam Chang's screenplay "Ancestors" winning the Student Screenplay Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival

• Zoe Cardenas receiving the Social Impact Award at SXSW for her documentary examining diversity in Hollywood

• Allie Delaney's starring role in the student film "Echoes" earning her Best Performance at the Tribeca Student Film Showcase

"These awards reflect the exceptional talent and dedication of our students, as well as the comprehensive education they receive at HSU," said Dr. Olivia Bennett, Dean of Cinema & Media Studies. "From first-year students to graduate candidates, our community continues to make its mark on the global film stage."

​

Several of the award-winning films will be screened at HSU's annual Graduate Film Festival in May, giving the public an opportunity to experience these celebrated works.

​

For more information about the winning films or HSU's film programs, visit www.HollywoodStateU.com.