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Representatives of the Sundeis Film Festival have announced that actors Roy Schneider, Patricia Neal, The Matrix producer Erwin Stoff, and MTV Programming Head Ross Martin will be attending the event occurring Mar. 3 and 4. The festival will culminate with an awards ceremony on Sunday night, which will honor student filmmakers and successful entertainers alike.

SunDeis is, as Scott Feinberg (08), the Special Guest/Special Event Chair of this years festival, says an event that Brandeis can be proud of. [Those in the industry] come here because weve demonstrated that we want to make film a priority. The SunDeis Film Festival offers student filmmakers an opportunity to show their work before an audience consisting of their peers, and of various people who have succeeded in a variety of sectors within the film industry. This year, were emphasizing student filmmakers, and giving them the opportunity to enjoy screening their films while learning about various aspects of the film industry, promises Feinberg.

This years event continues the tradition set during last years Sundeis festival, which included stars such as Oscar winners Margaret OBrien, Celeste Holm, as well as Law & Orders Jesse L. Martin. This year, the Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Roy Schneider, who is best known for his roles in Jaws and The French Connection and Patricia Neal, who won an Oscar in 1963 for her performance in Hud. The recipients of this years Entertainer of the Year Award, as well as the new Alumni Achievement Award have yet to be announced. Feinberg also promises that several Brandeis alums within the industry will be in attendance. Students are going to be surprised by the amount of Brandeis alumni who are big in the industry, he says.

Those who attend the festival are provided the opportunity to interact with those within the industry. Those on the SunDeis committee are planning to arrange panels with industry, where attendees have the opportunity to meet with industry representatives and ask them questions. The SunDeis committee has set up screenings of the movies that made both Schneider and Neal famous. The films will be presented in their original 35mm form, and they will be followed by a Question and Answer session between the audience and the actors.

Student films will also be shown, and the best film will be reward with the Best of Brandeis award. Last years winner was also given a Sony Camera. Entering the competition is a no loss situation, says Feinberg. The deadline for submitting such a film is February 2nd.

We had to build our credibility last year. But through hard work, it happened. Now, because of that success, we have built a new prestige. Feinberg notes, the opportunity for students outside New York and Los Angeles to make connections is rare, and SunDeis does just that for independent student filmmakers in this area. More guests and events will be announced as the weekend of March 3rd approaches.