BEVERLY HILLS — Keiko Wright of New York University won the Gold Medal in the documentary category at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 39th annual Student Academy Awards ceremony on June 9 at AMPAS’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Wright’s film is titled “Hiro: A Story of Japanese Internment.” It explores the life of Hiroshi Hoshizaki, a retired grandfather of six, who was interned as an adolescent during World War II. As it follows Hiro on his journey confront the events and memories of his past, the audience learns of his experiences while imprisoned at the Heart Mountain in Wyoming and the traumatic repercussions for him and his family.
Wright is a Chicago-born filmmaker. In 2011, she graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she received a BFA with a concentration in film and television post-production. She has directed and produced several short-form documentaries and currently works as a freelance editor in New York City.
She worked on the film with Jamie Li, director of photography, and Rekha Shankar, co-editor/production sound supervisor.
The Silver Medal went to “Dying Green” by Ellen Tripler of American University in Washington, D.C. and the Bronze Medal to “Lost Country” by Heather Burky of the Art Institute of Jacksonville in Florida.
“Hiro” was one of 10 winners selected from among 35 semifinalists announced last month. The other categories were alternative, animation, narrative, and foreign film.
For more information on Wright’s film, visit www.hirothedocumentary.com.
The Student Academy Awards were established in 1972 to support and encourage excellence in filmmaking at the collegiate level. Past winners, including Spike Lee and Robert Zemeckis, have gone on to receive 46 Oscar nominations and have won or shared eight trophies.
On the Web: http://studentacademyawards.tumblr.com.