AMPAS taps student finalists

'Ms. Alabama,' 'La Milpa,' 'Perpetual Motion' among contenders

By GABRIELLE MITCHELL-MARELL

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has tapped eight student filmmakers from the New York region as finalists for the 30th annual Student Academy Awards competish.

Gotham search is the first of the Acad's three regions to wrap; contenders are still being reviewed in the other two sections: the Western region and the remainder of the U.S.

Final judging will be completed on May 8 and winners will be announced by May 20.

Finalists are: "Ms. Alabama Nursing Home," Anne Paas (docu); "Jesus Henry Christ," Dennis Lee (narrative); "La Milpa," Patricia Riggen (narrative); "Mr. Smith Goes to Pittsburgh," Peter Rubi, (narrative); "Intelligent Life," Jeff Spoonhower (animation); "Perpetual Motion" Kimberly Miner (animation); "Like Twenty Impossibles" Annemarie Jacir (alternative); and "You're Going to Die," Dennis Palazzolo (alternative).

Participants will be flown to the Coast for week of industry events, culminating with the June 8 kudofest at AMPAS' Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles.