THOMSON AVENUE'S GOT TALENT!

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., July 9 -- The City University of New York's LaGuardia Community College issued the following news release:

The capacity crowd settled into their seats, the lights dimmed, then up came the booming, irresistible rhythms from the soundtrack of Dominican York, a documentary work-in-progress by Giselle Blanco. That was how the Seventh Annual Thomson Ave. Film Festival began on the evening of June 8. There was no red carpet, but filmmakers grasped their "Thomie" trophies as each one came forward to introduce his or her comedy, drama, or documentary. Filmmakers, their friends, families, fans, and fellow students packed the Video Studio/Black Box Theater on the last day of Spring classes to celebrate the closing of a year of hard work, and the zest and creativity of LaGuardia filmmakers.

Giselle was one of a number of returning alumni of LaGuardia's Media Studies program to screen their recent work at the event, along with projects by current students. Giselle's entry is her thesis film for graduation in film and TV from Brooklyn College. Jeff Delices and Jorge Simson came home to LaGuardia with a comedy short they produced as current film majors at Hunter College. Theater program alums, Darryl Sorrentino and Bridgit Giuffrida returned with their fellow Hunter student and LaGuardia grad, Gerard Tecson in the short narrative film A Good Man. This was Gerard's third project to be premiered on Thomson Avenue. Andrew Feasel was back with his sequel to a festival favorite from last year, Another Guide to Being a Serial Killer. A regular contributor of his talent to LaGuardia theatrical productions and film festivals, Michael Munoz, appeared on our screen again this year-as actor in his own project, Out, and in Open Doors, by fellow alum, Michael Brody.

The audience warmly welcomed the work of festival newcomers-Aaron Berke's moody Noir piece, Medicine, and the stylish, haunting Story of Mrs. Crumley, by photography students Brian Guinanzaca and Estela Melendez. First-time entries from the New Media Technology "Internet Video" class was a crisply-edited commercial by Raquel Ramirez and Benny Castillo, and Benny's digital take on Family Guy. Other crowd-pleasing entries were the comedy, Mime and Punishment, by James Roman, and a music video, Talk to Me, crewed by Professor John Henry Davis's video production students.

Top-notch tech support by Terry Parker, assistant Bakhtyar Uddin, and Terry's media services staff gave these aspiring video artists the chance to see their work projected in high resolution on a big screen with resonating audio in front of a large and enthusiastic audience. At intermission, everyone mingled and enjoyed food and beverages, generously provided by the Office of Student Life and Development. Filmmakers argued about the merits of different editing systems, while viewers traded impromptu film reviews.

The festival sponsors-the Humanities Department media programs, Media Studies, New Media Technology, and Digital Media Arts, along with the Library Media Resources Center - are seeking exciting entries for next year's Eighth Annual Thomson Ave. Film Festival. Filmmakers - it's time to start scripting and storyboarding!For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.

Randy Fader-Smith, 718/482-5985, Randyfs@lagcc.cuny.edu; usan Lyddon, 718/482-5061, Slyddon@lagcc.cuny.edu.