CCNY MFA in Film Program students receive first Chantel Akerman student prize from the Ostrovsky Family Fund

The City College of New York’s MFA in Film Program students Maggie Kamal Girgis and Ley Comus are both recipients of the first-ever Ostrovsky Family Fund Award in honor of Chantal Akerman. This year's winners receive up to $4000 that will go toward their film production expenses.

Chantal Akerman was an internationally celebrated Belgian experimental filmmaker and served as Distinguished Lecturer in Film at CCNY from ‎2011-2015.  In honor of her memory and impact, the Ostrovsky Family Fund developed the award to help support the thesis film projects of second-year MFA students.

Students competed by presenting their film pitch to an independent jury of film professionals. The judges identified which proposals best reflect the bold and innovative approach that distinguishes Akerman's body of work.

The award ceremony took place at Cityvisions, a graduation film festival for the MFA Program in Film. The award ‎ provides a significant head start for students who are tasked with raising monies for their thesis film financing.

"This support not only encourages our students but also reminds all participants about the enduring impact of Chantal's work and her time at City College," said Andrea Weiss, co-director of the MFA in Film Program, who worked closely with the Ostrovsky Family Fund to craft the award.

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