Fine Cut | KCET
April 1st through June 5th, student filmmakers, 18 and up, can submit to the annual "Fine Cut Festival of Films," for a chance to be one of the lucky finalists featured in one of the four-hourlong episodes on KCET in the Fall. Our esteemed panel of industry judges will choose a winning film in the categories of Documentary, Narrative and Animation for a prize package.
Plus, one of the films will be picked for the top prize of the Jack Larson Southern California Student Filmmaker Award. More than twenty years ago, Jack Larson approached KCET with the idea of creating a student film series that would provide talented students with the opportunity to have their short films aired on television. Larson thought that public television was an excellent platform for providing critical visibility to emerging filmmakers. KCET shared Larson's enthusiasm and together they created, "Fine Cut Festival of Films."
Upcoming Airdates
Play
In the wake of NFL superstar Junior Seau’s suicide, coaches and families tackle the dangers and rewards of playing youth football in Delay of Game,” a documentary from USC’s Shaun Dikilato. Then, “888 Tours,” an animated short from CalArts’ Jennifer Nie that follows a tour guide’s quest to stay on schedule.
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2020-04-03T15:30:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-03T17:00:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-04T17:30:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-11T17:00:00-07:00KCET-HD
Come Alive
In “Teddy Mate,” a film from USC’s Rommel Villa, children bond with magical teddy bears that eventually transform into their perfect human life partner. When one teddy changes unexpectedly, a strong-willed young woman must face her uncertain future. Then, award-winning documentarian and American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase filmmaker Megan Rossman, explores the Lesbian Herstory Archives in “Love Letter Rescue Squad.” Finally, in “Gallery Experience,” an animated film from USC’s Jinghan Tian, a young girl has a magical experience visiting a gallery for the first time.
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2020-04-10T18:30:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-11T11:00:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-11T17:30:00-07:00KCET-HD
Separated
In “Lalo’s House,” a film from USC’s Kelley Kali starring Garcelle Beauvais, two young sisters must escape a child sex trafficking ring after being taken from their home in Jacmel, Haiti. Followed by “Starlight,” an animated film from CalArts’ Robyn Romain that explores long distance love.
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2020-04-17T18:00:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-18T11:00:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-18T17:30:00-07:00KCET-HD
Save Me!
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2020-04-24T18:05:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-25T11:00:00-07:00KCET-HD
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2020-04-25T17:30:00-07:00KCET-HD
2019 Short Films
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Fine Cut
Brothers Sam and Max can't agree on anything, but when Max's ambitions to fly to the moon in a cardboard box put them both in grave danger.
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Fine Cut
An inside look at the work of the Food Riders Club at Orange Coast College, a group of OCC students who recover excess food from the campus cafeteria and transport it to local food pantries via bicycles and trailer.
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Fine Cut
A young woman struggles to admit that she's literally falling apart in this film directed by Christian Whittemore.
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Fine Cut
A pair of mismatched U.S. Marshals – a reformed outlaw and a shrewd former slave – is sent to the Kansas frontier to uncover the fate of a Marshal gone missing while escorting a member of a notorious gang to his hanging.
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Fine Cut
Two really long distance girlfriends share their true feelings. Directed by Robyn Romain of CalArts.
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Fine Cut
Inspired by true events. After being taken from their home in Jacmel, Haiti, two young sisters must escape a child sex trafficking ring, disguised as a Catholic orphanage.
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Fine Cut
The girl has a magical experience visiting the gallery with her dad for the first time. Directed by Jinghan Tian of USC.
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Fine Cut
“Our history was disappearing as quickly as we were making it.” With that realization, Deborah Edel and Joan Nestle co-founded the Lesbian Herstory Archives. More than 40 years later, Deb must consider the future of the collection.
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Fine Cut
In a world where children bond with magical teddy bears that eventually transform into their perfect, human life partner; an optimistic and strongwilled young woman struggles when her teddy mate subverts society’s expectations.
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Fine Cut
“888 Tours” is a quirky animated short from CalArts that follows a tour guide’s quest to say on schedule.
-
Fine Cut
In the wake of NFL superstar Junior Seau’s suicide, coaches and families tackle the dangers and rewards of playing youth football in “Delay of Game,” a powerful documentary from USC.
-
Fine Cut
In “Prey,” a beautifully animated film from Cal State LA, get a vivid view of the natural cycle in human societies as seen through lens of karma on a microscopic scale.
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Fine Cut
In “The Moon and The Night,” a film from Chapman University, a Native Hawaiian teenage girl must confront her father after he enters her beloved pet in a dog fight.
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Fine Cut
Directed by John Morgan, this film follows a man living in downtown L.A. (Jon Cryer) who must rely on the help of two strangers to bury his dog.
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Fine Cut
Clara, a suburban housewife stuck in conventionality, stumbles upon hints that her beloved husband, William, has been cheating on her. Transfixed in her domestic situation, Clara re-discovers herself while baking an elegant cake for William.
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Fine Cut
Nationally-known disability rights advocate Carole Patterson takes on the world with her offbeat humor and brutal honesty in this profile of her challenging life as she prepares to marry a non-disabled man despite his family's concerns.
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Fine Cut
Directed by Susie Singer Carter, “My Mom and The Girl” is a 2016 film that stars Valerie Harper in her last role. It is based on a true story of an East Coast woman with Alzheimer’s who has an unusual chance meeting that affects the lives of three women.
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Fine Cut
Directed by Noel Belknap, this 2007 animated documentary is about the life cycle of a majestic unicorn. Noel Belknap currently works at Disney Television Animation and will soon be working on “The Curse of Molly McGee” as a Storyboard Specialist.
-
Fine Cut
Now on its 20th season, “Fine Cut” showcases 14 short films made by a new generation of storytellers from Southern California.
2019 Short Films
-
Fine Cut
Brothers Sam and Max can't agree on anything, but when Max's ambitions to fly to the moon in a cardboard box put them both in grave danger.
-
Fine Cut
An inside look at the work of the Food Riders Club at Orange Coast College, a group of OCC students who recover excess food from the campus cafeteria and transport it to local food pantries via bicycles and trailer.
-
Fine Cut
A young woman struggles to admit that she's literally falling apart in this film directed by Christian Whittemore.
-
Fine Cut
A pair of mismatched U.S. Marshals – a reformed outlaw and a shrewd former slave – is sent to the Kansas frontier to uncover the fate of a Marshal gone missing while escorting a member of a notorious gang to his hanging.
-
Fine Cut
Two really long distance girlfriends share their true feelings. Directed by Robyn Romain of CalArts.
-
Fine Cut
Inspired by true events. After being taken from their home in Jacmel, Haiti, two young sisters must escape a child sex trafficking ring, disguised as a Catholic orphanage.
-
Fine Cut
The girl has a magical experience visiting the gallery with her dad for the first time. Directed by Jinghan Tian of USC.
-
Fine Cut
“Our history was disappearing as quickly as we were making it.” With that realization, Deborah Edel and Joan Nestle co-founded the Lesbian Herstory Archives. More than 40 years later, Deb must consider the future of the collection.
-
Fine Cut
In a world where children bond with magical teddy bears that eventually transform into their perfect, human life partner; an optimistic and strongwilled young woman struggles when her teddy mate subverts society’s expectations.
-
Fine Cut
“888 Tours” is a quirky animated short from CalArts that follows a tour guide’s quest to say on schedule.
-
Fine Cut
In the wake of NFL superstar Junior Seau’s suicide, coaches and families tackle the dangers and rewards of playing youth football in “Delay of Game,” a powerful documentary from USC.
-
Fine Cut
In “Prey,” a beautifully animated film from Cal State LA, get a vivid view of the natural cycle in human societies as seen through lens of karma on a microscopic scale.
-
Fine Cut
In “The Moon and The Night,” a film from Chapman University, a Native Hawaiian teenage girl must confront her father after he enters her beloved pet in a dog fight.
-
Fine Cut
Directed by John Morgan, this film follows a man living in downtown L.A. (Jon Cryer) who must rely on the help of two strangers to bury his dog.
-
Fine Cut
Clara, a suburban housewife stuck in conventionality, stumbles upon hints that her beloved husband, William, has been cheating on her. Transfixed in her domestic situation, Clara re-discovers herself while baking an elegant cake for William.
-
Fine Cut
Nationally-known disability rights advocate Carole Patterson takes on the world with her offbeat humor and brutal honesty in this profile of her challenging life as she prepares to marry a non-disabled man despite his family's concerns.
-
Fine Cut
Directed by Susie Singer Carter, “My Mom and The Girl” is a 2016 film that stars Valerie Harper in her last role. It is based on a true story of an East Coast woman with Alzheimer’s who has an unusual chance meeting that affects the lives of three women.
-
Fine Cut
Directed by Noel Belknap, this 2007 animated documentary is about the life cycle of a majestic unicorn. Noel Belknap currently works at Disney Television Animation and will soon be working on “The Curse of Molly McGee” as a Storyboard Specialist.
-
Fine Cut
Now on its 20th season, “Fine Cut” showcases 14 short films made by a new generation of storytellers from Southern California.
2018 Short Films
-
Fine Cut
A raccoon finds a flashlight in the woods.
-
Fine Cut
Through these short, humorous vignettes, one presents a critique of the diverse social issues permeating throughout South Korean culture.
-
Fine Cut
Despite controversy and threats, Muslim singer/songwriter turned spiritual leader Ani Zonneveld takes a stand for justice through activism and a progressive practice of Islam.
-
Fine Cut
A 9-year-old girl attempts to juggle the responsibilities of school and her younger siblings after her mother goes missing.
-
Fine Cut
Young artist Kip Henderson discovers his personal identity through exceptional artistic progress in the face of numerous physical disabilities and setbacks.
-
Fine Cut
A beaten-down actor in Los Angeles sets his sights on becoming a serial killer after his favorite ice cream is discontinued.
-
Fine Cut
A true story based on an odd encounter that an East Coast woman with Alzheimer’s has one night on the capricious streets of East L.A.
-
Fine Cut
A candy patiently awaits its turn to be chosen from a vending machine.
- 1 of 2
- next ›
2018 Short Films
-
Fine Cut
A raccoon finds a flashlight in the woods.
-
Fine Cut
Through these short, humorous vignettes, one presents a critique of the diverse social issues permeating throughout South Korean culture.
-
Fine Cut
Despite controversy and threats, Muslim singer/songwriter turned spiritual leader Ani Zonneveld takes a stand for justice through activism and a progressive practice of Islam.
-
Fine Cut
A 9-year-old girl attempts to juggle the responsibilities of school and her younger siblings after her mother goes missing.
-
Fine Cut
Young artist Kip Henderson discovers his personal identity through exceptional artistic progress in the face of numerous physical disabilities and setbacks.
-
Fine Cut
A beaten-down actor in Los Angeles sets his sights on becoming a serial killer after his favorite ice cream is discontinued.
-
Fine Cut
A true story based on an odd encounter that an East Coast woman with Alzheimer’s has one night on the capricious streets of East L.A.
-
Fine Cut
A candy patiently awaits its turn to be chosen from a vending machine.
- 1 of 2
- next ›
Articles
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Fine Cut
Apart from being featured in one of six half-hour episodes, "Fine Cut" also offers a variety of prizes meant to help the growth of future filmmakers.
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Fine Cut
Film students are often faced with doubts and negativity. The first ever Fine Cut Student Workshop created a safe environment for students and mentors to give and receive guidance.
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Fine Cut
"Fine Cut" announces its winners for the 20th season. One filmmaker is awarded an opportunity to participate in the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.
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Fine Cut
For twenty seasons, "Fine Cut" has been the launchpad for the dreams of many young filmmakers. Learn more about its beginnings and its relevance, especially today.
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Fine Cut
Eight esteemed judges have come on board to help hone the talents of "Fine Cut" filmmakers. Learn more about them.
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Fine Cut
KCET’s annual “Fine Cut Festival of Films” is now accepting submissions. Get a chance to see your film on television this fall and win package prizes in support of your filmmaking journey.
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