By Lookout Staff

December 11, 2014 -- Two Santa Monica College student filmmakers have taken home awards from the international Best Shorts Film Competition, which receives entries from around the world, officials announced Tuesday.

Angelo Chavez and Ronja Jansz of the college’s new Film Production program have won, respectively, the “Award of Excellence: Short Film” and an “Award of Merit: Use of Film for Social Change,” the school said.

Chavez’s sci-fi black comedy RACHEL 9000 featured Alana Kerr and Carey Fox; Jansz’s drama ANNABELL LEE featured Frank Perry. Both firms were produced in the Film 33 advanced directing class at the college.

“Both Ronja and Angelo have made sensitive, thought-provoking films that are explorations of gender identity bias roles,” said Salvador Carrasco, head of college’s film production program.

Carrasco said the program prides itself  “in making original, well-crafted films that have something meaningful to say, and both ANNABEL LEE and RACHEL 9000 are great examples of this.”

 We are thrilled that the Best Shorts Competition has acknowledged our students’ hard work and talent,” he said.

The Best Shorts Competition recognizes those in film, television, videography and new media who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change, the college said.

Past winners of the Best Shorts Award include The Weinstein Company for “Market Hours” and the Oscar winning-production “Mr. Hublot,” an animated short by Laurent Witz from Luxembourg.

“Best Shorts is not an easy award to win,” said Rick Prickett, who chairs the competition. “Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent.” 

Entries are judged by professionals in the film and television industry. Information about Best Shorts and a list of recent winners can be found at www.bestshorts.net .