UCSB Graduate Nominated for Academy Award

Don Hertzfeldt, a 1998 UCSB graduate, is one of just three filmmakers (and the only American) to be nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Short Animation Film. His film "Rejected" has earned 13 awards to date, and was one of the most talked-about films at the Sundance Film Festival last January.

"I am unbelievably thankful and flattered that a risky, experimental and dark cartoon can still be recognized in this era of 'safe' filmmaking," said Hertzfeldt, who received his degree in film studies, and is the third UCSB graduate from the department in as many years to be nominated for an Academy Award.

The film, produced in Hertzfeldt's Santa Barbara studio at a cost of under $5,000, was featured during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which ends on March 11.

The young filmmaker has won a total of 92 awards for his work. Hertzfeldt was recently hired by Department of Film Studies Chair Constance Penley to teach a class this summer on contemporary animated short film.

"I'm glad I hired him before he got the Oscar nomination, because now he would be far too much in demand," said Penley.

"We are extremely proud of Don's nomination for such a prestigious Academy Award," said Chancellor Henry Yang.

Last year, alumnus Roko Belic was among the nominees in the Best Documentary Film category for "Genghis Blues," and in 1999, graduate Scott Frank was nominated for best screenplay adaptation for the film "Out of Sight."