Two Ringling College Computer Animators Win Award

Ringling College of Art and Design announced Tuesday afternoon that 2011 Computer Animation graduates Avner Geller and Stevie Lewis won the ‘Best Student Animation’ award from the Tampa Bay Art & Education Network's Independents’ Film Festival (IFF) for their Senior Thesis Film ‘Defective Detective.’ 

According to Independents' Film Festival Director Lucy Griggs, “‘Defective Detective’ was a stand-out in the Student Animation category, with its fast-paced action, attention to detail and well structured story. Nothing defective there.”

An annual event since 1993, the IFF is one of the longest running established film festivals in Florida, its success built upon dedication to the audience and the filmmaker, a Ringling press release said.

IFF supports independent filmmaker by providing audiences for their work, introducing new audiences to independent cinema and educating on the art of filmmaking. The release said judges scored the IFF Official Selections on their technical production and artistic value, as well as overall creativity. They commented repeatedly on the overall quality of the films and animations submitted this year. A selection of films will be screened in a number of community events from September 15 – 17, 2011.

Defective Detective will screen on Saturday, September 17, at 7:00 p.m. All events will be held at the Tampa Bay Arts & Education Network’s studios in Tampa. More information is available at the IFF website .

In June, 2011, Avner Geller and Stevie Lewis were also winners in the 38th Annual Student Academy Awards competition, capturing the bronze medal in the Animation category for ‘Defective Detective,’ the release said. According to the Academy, winners are chosen from entries received by more than 500 colleges and universities worldwide.

Since 1998, Ringling College students have won eight Student Academy Awards, including three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals. Seven of these awards have been received during the past 10 years.