PBS SoCal's FINE CUT Spotlights 31 Emerging California Filmmakers in New Season Premiering Sept. 24
Press Contacts
Chelsea Grosbeck
cgrosbeck@pbssocal.org
Mia Chavez
Mchavez@pbssocal.org
Los Angeles, Calif. – Sep. 1, 2026 – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS organization, today announced 31 finalist films for the 27th season of the FINE CUT Festival of Films, a showcase of short films from California student filmmakers presented through a series of six broadcast episodes. The season premieres Thurs., Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal, with many films available for streaming on the free PBS App.
This year drew 414 film submissions from students representing more than 53 schools across the state. Over $55,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winners selected by a panel of nine esteemed industry judges.
“Fine Cut gives students the opportunity to showcase their diverse voice and creativity to a wide audience,” said PBS SoCal’s Senior Director of Production, Angela Boisvert. “Over the years, the program has featured notables like Ryan Coogler, Ben Proudfoot, Patricia Cordosa, and Rashida Jones. And we hope that the resources provided by the Fine Cut programs will provide an avenue for the students to continue their filmmaking journey.”
2026 Judges
Finalist and winners in each category were determined by a panel of nine esteemed individuals, including (in alphabetical order):
- Animator, Writer and Director Sofia Alexander, (“Onyx Equinox”, “Knights of Guinevere”, “Eyes of Wakanda”)
- Character Designer/Illustrator Asia Vigil Ellington (“Primos”, “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse”)
- Cinematographer Jonathan Furmanski (“The ‘Burbs”, “Search Party”, “Good Boys”)
- Director and Editor Yu Gu (“A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem”, “Gutsy”, “Who is Arthur Chu?”)
- Producer Jennifer Kobzik (“Social Studies”, “The Kingmaker, Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle”)
- Director Linda Mendoza (“Black-ish”, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine", “Scrubs”, “Ugly Betty”)
- Director Bethany Rooney (“Criminal Minds”, “NCIS”, “Chicago Med”, “St. Elsewhere”)
- Storyboard Artist Victor Sampaio (Guillermo del Toro's “Pinocchio”, Brad Bird’s “Ray Gunn”)
- Two-time DGA award-winning Director Jesús Salvador Treviño (“Star Trek Voyager,” “Resurrection Blvd and Chicano! History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement”)
Awards Ceremony
Winners in each of the three categories Documentary, Animation and Narrative, along with the recipient of the prestigious Jack Larson Southern California Student Filmmaker Award, will be honored at a public awards ceremony on Tues., Sept. 22 at the Eagle Theatre at Vidiots.
The event will feature a screening of curated films from season 27 and clips from each of those nominated. For the fifth consecutive year, the event will be co-hosted by Variety Television Executive Editor Michael Schneider and his Variety colleague Senior Entertainment Writer Angelique Jackson.
More than $55,000 in Donated Prizes
This year’s four winners will be recognized with prize packages valued to be worth over $55,000, with filmmaking resources such as equipment rental, animation software and more.
First Entertainment Credit Union: $2,500 grant for each of the four winners
- Keslow Camera: $10,000 in camera-package rental credit for one winner
- Geronimo Creek: $10,000 in grip, electric, and production rental credits
- Entertainment Partners: 3 licenses for Movie Magic Budgeting 10 and Movie Magic Scheduling 6 valued at nearly $3,000
- Smoke House: $1000 awarded to the animation winner
- TV Paint: A license for TVPaint Animation 12 Professional Edition for the animation winner, valued at $1,800
Mentoring Workshop
Students across California will be invited to FINE CUT’s Annual Mentoring Workshop on Sunday, September 27 at Radford Studio Center. The interactive workshop features roundtable discussions with seasoned producers, directors, writers, and animators. Students will have the chance to select one of three mentoring tracks to customize their workshop experience.
Mentors for the Directing and Cinematography track include Director/Cinematographer Patrick Cady, Director Jen McGowen, Director Meera Menon, and Director Kelly Park.
Mentors for the Writing and Producing track include Producer, Director, Founder 108 Pictures Sarba Das, Producer Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Writer Kyle Lau, Writer/Producer Niceole R. Levy, and Showrunner/EP Theo Travers.
Mentors for the Animation track include Lead Animator Chris “Gonzo” Gonzalez, President of the Animation Guild Danny Lee, visual development artist Erica Smith and Production Designer Angela Sung.
For the final list of industry mentors attending and to apply to the workshop by the deadline of Thurs., Sept 8, visit pbssocal.org/finecut for more details.
This Year’s Finalists
The selected films explore themes including identity, culture, and activism. Among the finalists, 52% of films were directed by women, 77% had at least one female producer and 6% were directed by transgender or non-binary filmmakers. In addition, 52% featured a lead character or main subject from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, and 77% were directed by filmmakers from underrepresented racial or ethnic group.
The 2026 FINE CUT finalists are listed below, and episodes will air as follows on PBS SoCal:
(*schedule subject to change):
“Many Lessons Later” - Thu., Sept. 24
CSUN documentary short “The Successor” follows musical director Larry Blank’s storied career. Left home alone, a dog chases a diploma in animated short “Dog Brain” from CSUF. Santa Barbara activists voice their concerns about offshore drilling in the documentary “Hydra on the Horizon” from UCSB. On a trip to China, a girl learns funny and heartbreaking life lessons from her grandparents in “Swimming Lessons” from UCSC. Followed by animated short “Unikid” from CSUF.
Filmmakers:” The Successor”- directed by Jacob Gambina-CSUN/ “Dog Brain”-directed by Helen Benavidez-CSUF/ “Hydra on the Horizon”-directed by Curran Seth –UCSB/ “Swimming Lessons”-directed by Meloddy Gao-UCSC/ “Unikid”-directed by Darian Hernandez-CSUF
“Wrench in the Family Script” - Thu., Oct. 1
A gay man confronts his father about their painful past in documentary short “Talk Straight Duda” from USC. A coffee loving seagull greets customers in CalArts short "Seagull Coffee." A doctor must choose between her mother and her dream in drama short “American Daydream” from NYFA. Determined to save her sister from a cult, a woman visits her estranged family in “Sister’s Keeper” from Biola. A hardworking rat’s life spirals into chaos in animated short "The Rat Race" from CSULB.
Filmmakers: “Talk Straight Duda”-directed by Eduardo Maia-USC/ “Seagull Coffee”- Yunqing “Sally” Pan-CalArts/ “American Daydream”-directed by Ziyu Luo –NYFA/ “Sister’s Keeper”-directed by Oliver Thrush- Biola University/ “The Rat Race”- directed by Sarah Jackson-CSULB
“Repetition, Repetition, Repetition”- Thu., Oct. 8
Animators pitch a new idea to Walt Disney in “The Unlucky Rabbit,” a documentary from LMU. Two friends attempt to tase the stars in “Wilbur & Harold” from CalArts. Seniors confront internet scams, new technology, and the desire for human connection in UCLA documentary “SCREENAGERS." An athlete must overcome her jealousy in USC drama short “Rebound." On a bus ride to the beach, an animator questions the artistic gaze in “Bigger Picture” from CCA. Followed by animated short “Perfectus” from SJSU.
Filmmakers: “The Unlucky Rabbit”- directed by Shane Hernandez-LMU/ “Wilbur & Harold”-directed by Giovanni Edwards-CalArts/ “SCREENAGERS”-directed by Angela Suh-Young Kim-UCLA/ “Rebound”-directed by Anna O’Donnell-USC/ “Bigger Picture”-directed by John Angelo Serrano-California College of the Arts/ “Perfectus” – directed by Regis Iofis-San José State University
“Next-Gen Try Again”- Thu., Oct. 15
Ancestral ghosts fight over the best tomato-egg recipe in “Stop When Your Ancestors Say So” from USC. CSULB documentary short “From, Farmersville” examines social progress in a small Central Valley town. An argument between mother and child leads to an adventure at the aquarium in “The Oceanarium” from CalArts. A teenager uncovers his grandfather's secret past in drama short “SO MANG” from UCLA. Followed by animated shorts “HEART-BIT DIM SUM FRIENDS!” from CalArts and “La Cadeja” from Woodbury.
Filmmakers: “Stop When Your Ancestors Say So”-directed by Daniel Simon Zhang-USC/ “From, Farmersville”- directed by Savannah Gasca-CSULB/ “The Oceanarium”- directed by Matthew Lei-CalArts/ “SOMANG”- directed by Tim J. Lim-UCLA/ “HEART-BIT DIM SUM FRIENDS!”-directed by Veda Lee- CalArts/ “La Cadeja”-directed by Selene Sanchez-Woodbury University
“Death Personified”- Thu., Oct. 22
A hospice nurse helps patients navigate end of life decisions in “A Good Death,” a documentary from USC. LGBT activists storm the NIH protesting AIDS treatment options in drama short “Silence = Death” from USC. A revolutionary AI assistant promises to bring order to a woman’s chaotic life in sci fi short “ADDIE” from CCSF. Sent to purgatory after an allergic reaction, a girl forms a surprising bond with the apparition of death in CalArts animation “Death is a Giant Peanut.”
Filmmakers: “A Good Death”-directed by Mia Hagerty-USC/ “Silence = Death” directed by Trace Pope- USC/ “ADDIE” directed by Antonina Bolyaev- City College of San Francisco/ “Death is a Giant Peanut”- directed by Amy Boisvert- CalArts
“All is Lost! ”- Thu., Oct. 29
A young Jewish man brings his Mormon boyfriend home for Passover dinner in comedy short “Jewish Mom’s Scare the Crap Out of Me” from CSUN. A possessed flight attendant hijacks a flight of religious leaders in ArtCenter thriller “DISSENT.” Strange figures lurk behind the library shelves in LCAD animated short “Creep.” A shy bartender falls for a mysterious woman in “El Bar De Hernando” from NYFA. A young woman’s primal quest for love takes a comedic turn in “Natural Selection” from CSUF.
Filmmakers: “Jewish Moms Scare the Crap Out of Me”- directed by Sam Markson-CSUN/ “DISSENT”- directed by Sager Al Nuaimi- ArtCenter/ “Creep”-directed by Daniela Abarca-Laguna College of Art and Design/ “El Bar De Hernando”- directed by Andrés Bernal, Maria Gomez- NYFA/ “Natural Selection”- directed by Amanda D'Ambrosio-CSUF
This festival is a tribute to FINE CUT founder, Jack Larson. In the late 1990s, the actor, librettist, screenwriter and producer had the idea of creating a student film series that would provide talented students with the much-needed opportunity to have their short films selected for television broadcast. Larson understood how difficult it was for young filmmakers to get broad exposure for their work because, typically, student work is only seen at special screenings and film festivals. Larson thought that public television was an excellent platform for providing critical visibility to emerging filmmakers. PBS SoCal shares Larson’s enthusiasm for showcasing local student filmmaking and 27 years later, FINE CUT continues to be a flagship program for Southern California’s PBS organization.
Funding for Fine Cut is generously provided by The Bridges/Larson Foundation.
About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal uses the power of public media for good, strengthening the civic fabric of Southern California and providing our community with an essential connection to a wider world. As a local, donor/member-supported non-profit organization, PBS SoCal is available to stream on the PBS app and the PBS Kids App and reaches over 22M viewers across 7 Broadcast channels — including 2 primary channels, PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus and 5 digital subchannels. Select programming is also available on PBS SoCal’s YouTube channel. With a commitment to make content available anytime and anywhere for free, PBS SoCal offers programming that reflects the diversity of Southern California and showcases the full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS content spanning Education, News, Environment and Arts & Culture. PBS SoCal also sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by bringing bilingual, hands-on learning experiences to the community for free.
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About First Entertainment Credit Union
Since 1967, First Entertainment Credit Union has served creators in the entertainment industry. Headquartered in Hollywood, Calif., First Entertainment provides banking and financial services through its seven branches in Los Angeles County – including the Warner Bros., Sony, and Paramount studio lot locations – and manages $2 billion in assets with 221 team members. First Entertainment provides financial solutions to nearly 90,000 members through accessible 24/7 digital banking, unique entertainment-industry financial products, services, and ATMs. Visit FirstEnt.org.