Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts continues its impressive awards season run with four major wins at the 2015 DGA Student Film Awards.

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) announced the winners of the 2015 DGA Student Film Awards for African American, Asian American, Latino and Women filmmakers where four Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts students took home top honors.

In the Best Women Student Filmmakers category, Chapman’s Margaret Anderson received the West Region Award for “Casey and the Death Pool,” and Westin Ray received the West Region Jury Award for “The Listening Box.” In the Best Latino Student Filmmakers category, Keegan Mullin received the West Region Award for “The Last Words.” In the Best Asian American Student Filmmakers category, Thy Riedel received the West Region Jury Award for “Long Lost.”

The awards, which bring the winners prizes of $2,500 from the DGA, are designed to honor, encourage, and bring attention to outstanding minority and women film students in film schools and other select universities. Winners were selected by blue ribbon DGA member panels. The award-winning films will be screened and the awards will be presented in a ceremony at the Directors Guild of America Theater in Los Angeles on November 12, 2015 and at the Directors Guild of America Theater in New York on December 10, 2015.

The awards come on the heels of Daniel Drummond (class of 2014) becoming the first Chapman student to win a Student Academy Award for his film “Chiaroscuro.” Overall, this has been a banner year for Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts as the school, in addition to Drummond’s win, also had several Student Academy Award Semi-Finalists and Finalists.

“I am exceedingly proud of the caliber of our student films and excited by what the future holds,” says Dean Bob Bassett. “Looking at the creativity and talent of our students and alumni I know we will continue to see success.”

About the Winning Films

“Casey and the Death Pool”
Casey runs an underground death pool at the elite Riverglen Retirement Community. When Dorinda arrives at Riverglen and begins to threaten her dark designs by saving the life of Casey’s latest bet, Frank, their quest for power reaches epic proportions.

“The Listening Box”
A compassionate, modern day priest makes an unusual discovery, setting off a chain of events that not only affects the lives of his parishioners but also tests his own sense of right and wrong.

“The Last Words”
After years of silence, a deaf man struggles to say goodbye to his dying mother.

“Long Lost”
A pop singer tries to reconnect with someone from her past.