The CSULB Film & Electronic Arts Department Receives Support from The Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the 2022-2023 Academic Year

For over 16 years, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has been enriching the lives of student filmmakers during their undergraduate studies at CSULB. This year the Film & Electronic Arts Department extends our deepest gratitude to HFPA for their grant in the amount of $65,000 to support our student filmmakers for the 2022-2023 academic year. The contribution provided by HFPA has helped generations of filmmakers at The Beach produce high quality films which have gone on to screen in numerous film festivals including the CSU Media Arts Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, and more. The price of any education can be costly; however, the cost of pursuing a film degree comes with the additional expenses related to creating films and the need for significant financial assistance aside from covering the cost of books, tuition, and housing. The Film & Electronic Arts department consists of students from a variety of socioeconomically diverse backgrounds, including many first-generation college students. Without this type of vital financial assistance, making their first short documentary, narrative, or experimental film simply wouldn’t be possible.  

In addition to supporting student film productions, recently thanks to the help of HFPA, our department was able to provide anti-bias training to students, faculty, and staff in our department as well as an ongoing endowed scholarship through the CSULB 49er Foundation.  

One of my biggest worries during my last year of college was how much it was going to cost to stay at the dorms. One of the things I have craved was to have a bit of creative freedom. This semester, I was able to join the Daily 49er as a video editor assistant intern. As an intern, I am able to edit and film freely according to what news we are displaying. I also have less stress when it came to commuting to my film classes. The HFPA award had went straight to the dorming cost for both semesters. With the help of HFPA, I did not have to worry about a loan and will be graduating next year in the spring with no debt. It is really important to just apply to scholarships and not be afraid to tell your story, you never know how much things could help you.

- Tatiahna Bently, HFPA Endowed Scholarship Recipient

We continue to be grateful for the many years HFPA has enriched the educational experiences of our students and their advocated for their diverse stories to be heard.