RAA ALUMNUS TJ GLEASON WINS FILM FESTIVAL AWARD

TJ Gleason, Class of 2003, won first place for his Public Service Announcement (PSA) at the 2006 SONscreen Film Festival. The annual screening and showcase event for Adventist and Christian filmmakers was created by the North American Division of the SDA church in 2002.

Gleason's PSA entitled "Child on the Internet" highlighted some of the dangers to children on the internet. RAA alumnus Blake Penland, class of 2005, and PUC student, played a child predator in the PSA. "It wasn't my greatest role," says Penland who starred in "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" at RAA.

Filmmakers of all levels submitted their work to SONscreen in one of six categories: drama, comedy, animation, documentary, PSA/music video, and international.

The Festival highlights Adventist and Christian young people and adult professionals in media and film. SONscreen's mission is to nurture Christian filmmakers in their craft, career development, and their spiritual life. The Festival was held at the newly renovated Adventist Media Center in Simi Valley, California.

If you have an interesting story on an RAA alumnus, please contact RAA Development Director Diane Butler at rgr@cybercentral.net or (530) 547-4579.