Ron Baham, left, with future First Gentleman Doug Emhoff, circa 1996. Photo: Gina Rugolo Judd
The King of North Campus
Everybody loved Ron Baham (’86) and he loved them right back. It was a devastating loss when he died in 1997, and shortly after his passing, a UCLA TFT memorial graduate scholarship fund was created in his name. Now, nearly 25 years later, it has been endowed, in large part by his devoted and influential circle of friends, ensuring help for future students.
Jubilant UCLA TFT graduates walked across the stage and were recognized at Los Angeles Tennis Center on June 11 at a celebration led by Interim Dean Brian Kite. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz, TFT's Hearst Playwright-in-Residence, gave an inspiring keynote speech.
TFT Film Festival Wrap-Up
After four days of showcasing student work in animation, screenwriting, directing and producing, the winners have been crowned and the honorees have been lauded, including Academy Award-winning director Chloe Zhao (Nomadland). Here's the complete list.
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Opportunities for Animators
The UCLA Animation Workshop Alumni and Student Association is a new student-led initiative that facilitates networking opportunities for current students and alumni of the UCLA Animation Workshop. To learn more, email ucla.awasa@gmail.com.
Live Screening
July 1: Join Professor Chon Noriega andfilmmaker Jesús Salvador Treviño for a chat after the Archive screening ofYo Soy Chicano (1972), considered the first nationally televised Chicano-produced doc highlighting the Mexican American experience.
Summer in the City
Check out UCLA's artistic summer offerings on the new Go Arts UCLA website, which offers one-stop shopping for information about upcoming screenings, exhibitions, workshops and talks, in person and online.
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Amazon Prime's "Chivas"
IN OTHER NEWS
The New YorkerhailsZeinabu irene Davis’ (MFA ’89) Compensation (1999), a little-seen modern classic currently streaming on Criterion Channel, as "one of the greatest American independent films ever made."
KristiHoi’s (MFA ’20) No Law, No Heaven is a live-action film finalist for the GSA BAFTA Student Awards, virtual this year on July 23.
Ann Marie Pace’s (MFA ’17) acclaimed short filmGrowing Fangs was recently released on Disney+ as part of its new Launchpad series showcasing underrepresented filmmakers. Producer MelodySandoval (MFA ’15) and production designer NaomiGonzalez Kahn (MFA ’17 ) also worked on the project.
Theater Professor Dominic Taylor is among the playwrights participating in Ford Theatre’s recently launched Lincoln Legacy Commissions, a new play development initiative for BIPOC playwrights that explores racial history and social justice in the U.S. and gives voice to lesser-known historical figures and their contributions to American life.
Jeremy White (MFA ’13) is the co-executive producer of the four-part, Amazon Original docuseries Chivas, El Rebaño Sagrado, which premiered on June 18 and chronicles the inside story of Mexico’s most beloved soccer team, Chivas of Guadalajara.
