Award-winning CSULB student hooked on film

Cal State Long Beach student Sharon Hefner is driven by an all consuming passion: filmmaking.

"For me [filmmaking] is almost an obsession," Hefner said. "My whole life is two [film] projects and I work to support those projects."

Recently named to USA Today's College Academic Team, Hefner is currently working on two films. One, a feature-length documentary on chronic fatigue syndrome, "Silent Screams," earned her the USA Today honor.

The winners were selected by USA Today from 1,253 applicants based on GPA, leadership and public service.

Hefner was surprised by the award. "I did not expect it at all," Hefner said.

One of only 60 university students to make the cut, Hefner has spent more than $10,000 out of her pocket to pay for equipment and other expenses for the film. She has also written a script for a friend in return for use of editing equipment.

"It's not a small project," said Hefner of the documentary she created as a senior project for CSULB's University Honors Program.

She is working on the film with a friend who has had chronic fatigue syndrome for 11 years.

"I want to bring recognition to people with chronic fatigue syndrome," Hefner said "I want to change the way we look at health care in our society. I want to open people's eyes to what is happening to people with these modern illnesses."

Nomination for the USA Today award came from Roberta Markman, CSULB director of the University Scholars Honors Program. "Patients with CFS claim that they have been waiting a long time for someone to speak for them, and there is no doubt that Hefner's creative angle of vision will make a serious and effective difference," said Markman in her letter of recommendation.

Hefner said Markman has been her mentor offering encouragement and support.

"When I first came to the university she believed in me more than I did," said Hefner who moved from the Midwest to Long Beach six years ago. "By challenging me she pushed me to achieve at a higher level."

Hefner, a senior with a 3.97 GPA has already completed three films. In addition to "Silent Screams," she is also working on a film about a young girl who escapes a troubled home through her imagination by building a flying machine.

She said she expects to have "Silent Screams" completed early next fall but will make a cut to submit to the Telluride Film Festival in April.

Hefner said she hopes to use film to make a difference in people's lives.

"I want to be a filmmaker who realizes the social impact of the films I am creating," she said.