By Lookout Staff

December 16, 2016 -- Two films by Santa Monica College (SMC) students won awards at the Best Shorts International Competition, school officials announced Thursday.

The competition, based in La Jolla, recognizes works that are "notable artistic and technical productions" and are no more than 57 minutes long. The films are "judged by respected professionals in the film industry," officials said.

"A Fish Story," written and directed by SMC student Carrie Finklea, received Awards of Merit/Special Mentions in the Student Short Film and the Women Filmmakers categories.

Co-produced by the SMC Film Production Program and CinemadaMare, "A Fish Story" was filmed last summer in the island of Ponza, Italy.

"Like A Rolling Stone," written and directed by SMC alum Daniel Hawley and starring Carrie Finklea, received Awards of Merit in the Student Short Film and the Best Original Score categories. The original score was composed by violinist Michael McLeanand and features cellist Juan-Salvador Carrasco and violinist Andrea Sanderson. The three are members of the SMC Symphony Orchestra, of which Sanderson is concertmaster. The films were made in Salvador Carrasco’s Film Studies 33 (Directing the Short Film) class at SMC.

The films "show a high level of craft and cinematic sophistication," said Carrasco, who heads SMC's Film Production Program. "What’s even more rewarding is how they enhance Santa Monica College’s mission—they truly have something to say about the world we live in today."

The annual competition helps expose creative talent working in short films, webisodes and new and experimental media.

“In winning recognition from the Best Shorts International Competition, our students join the ranks of other eminent filmmaking professionals who have been honored with this internationally respected award,” Carrasco said.