VOL. 22, NO. 19	APRIL 4, 1997

Film Festival at Manhattan Cinemas Will Showcase Work of Columbia Student Filmmakers

A scene from Bess Frelinghuysen's A Tall Winter's Tale, which will be shown on awards night, Apr. 19.

he work of Columbia's film students will flicker across the big screen in New York this month during the "Polo Ralph Lauren 1997 Festival of New Work by Columbia University Filmmakers" from Apr. 13-19.

  The week-long festival for the School of the Arts Graduate Film Division is the first sponsored by Polo Ralph Lauren. Director Milos Forman, recent Oscar nominee and Columbia professor emeritus, will host a gala awards night at the Angelika 57 on Sat., Apr. 19th.

  The festival will showcase videos, screenplays and short films by more than 100 Columbia students at the Angelika 57 and The Light-house theater on East 59th Street. A total of $50,000 in prizes will be awarded during the week, including three Polo Ralph Lauren Awards and three New Line Cinema Awards.

On the set of Rage! written and directed by Aaron Woolfolk.

  "I am extremely pleased that Ralph Lauren has joined Columbia University to reward and encourage our best and brightest film students as they work to establish themselves as artists and make their mark in a fiercely competitive profession," said School of the Arts Dean Robert Fitzpatrick. "With the support of leading international companies like Polo Ralph Lauren, our Film Division at Columbia is able to offer world-class faculty and produce graduates who go on to earn acclaim in the independent film industry around the world."

  Lewis Cole, chair of the Film Division, said, "Although Columbia's partnership with Ralph Lauren is new, the Columbia Film Festival has been a major springboard to success for past participants since 1987. Last year's filmmakers went on to show in nearly every acclaimed film festival around the world. Some were selected to participate in the Sundance International Film Festival and won awards at the Hamptons Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Directors Guild of America Festival."

The 18-minute film, "Number One Fan," by Columbia writer/director Amy Talkington will be screened.

  Recent graduates of Columbia's Film Division are making their mark in the industry with 11 feature film releases since 1996. Some noteworthy alumni include: James Mangold, who just finished directing CopLand with Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro; Greg Mottola, writer director of The Daytrippers, and Stacy Cochran, writer/director of My New Gun starring Diane Lane and Boys starring Winona Ryder.

Polo Ralph Lauren 1997 Festival of New Work by Columbia University Filmmakers

All events take place from 7:30 to 10:00 P.M.

• Sun., Apr. 13--First Shorts on Video; Lighthouse; $8.
• Mon., Apr. 14--Selected Shorts on Video; Lighthouse; $8.
• Tues., Apr. 15--New Screenwriters' Staged Readings &Short Comedy Sketches; Lighthouse; $8.
• Wed., Apr. 16--Short Works on Film 1; Angelika 57; $12.
• Thurs. Apr. 17--Short Works on Film 2; Angelika 57; $12.
• Fri, Apr. 18--Short Works on Film 3; Angelika 57; $12
• Sat. Apr. 19--Awards Night; Angelika 57; $12.

  Advance tickets may be purchased at the Miller Theatre box office or by calling 854-7799. Listings of films in the festival are on the Internet: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/arts/film/screenings/.