Winners announced at Emerson Film Festival

Student filmmakers Cooper Vacheron '16 and Saoli Nash '17 take questions from the audience during the Emerson Film Festival on March 22 in the Paramount Center. (Photo by Nick Eaton '17)

The 15th annual Emerson Film Festival was held in the Paramount Center on March 22, featuring the work of more than a dozen student and young alumni filmmakers from the past year.

Winners of the festival’s competitions will have their work submitted to the Emerson Los Angeles Film Festival in the fall.

How to Make a Nightmare, a gothic film by Noah Aust ’14, won Best Narrative Film.

Very Happy Life, by Cooper Vacheron ’16, won Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking.

Austerity, by Renos Gavris, MFA ’15, won two awards: the Take Action Hollywood Award for Social Justice and the Audience Award.

Renos Gavris, MFA '15, won two awards for his film, Austerity, at the Emerson Film Festival on March 22. (Photo by Nick Eaton '17)

The Take Action Hollywood Award for Social Justice is sponsored by Maria Menounos ’00. The Audience Award goes to the film that receives the most votes from audience members of the film festival.

During the festival, organized by the Visual and Media Arts Department, Emerson President Lee Pelton announced the creation of the Andrea Mangino Montoni '78 Film Catalyst Fund, made possible by a philanthropic commitment from Andrea Mangino Montoni ’78.

“Andrea’s magnificent generosity will enhance the student experience,” Pelton said, “and have a direct impact in fueling the outstanding work showcased at the Boston and Emerson LA film festivals—immediately and through Andrea’s lifetime gift.”

Emerson President Lee Pelton announced the creation of the Andrea Mangino Montoni Film Catalyst Fund at the Emerson Film Festival on March 22. (Photo by Nick Eaton '17)

Montoni worked for Columbia Pictures while she was a student at Emerson. Her experience led to a permanent role at Columbia and ignited her passion for films and filmmaking.

Upon leaving the film industry, Montoni caught the entrepreneurial bug and launched her own company in the online toy and novel industry. Along the way, she remained connected to Emerson by providing internship and job opportunities for several Emersonians.

Read a complete list of the 2015 Emerson Film Festival student and alumni filmmakers.

Barbara Rutberg, associate vice president of development and alumni relations, presents Cooper Vacheron '16 with the Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking Award. (Photo by Nick Eaton '17)