03 May “The Amazing Mortimer” Wins Film Awards for HU Arizona Campus

Huntington University’s Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts is pleased to announce that its first short film,

“The Amazing Mortimer” won the Best of Fest award at the Southern Arizona Independent Film Festival. This is the first short film produced by Huntington University’s Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts. The film also won the Best Story and Best Advanced Student Film categories. The awards ceremony was held April 21-22 in Willcox, Arizona.

“The Amazing Mortimer” is a 14-minute picture which tells the story of a once-successful ventriloquist who finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Because his act no longer brings in huge audiences, Mortimer is faced with a loss of his home and his livelihood. As he reminisces about the glory days of the past, he is befriended by Thomas, a troubled young boy who is also facing a frightening future. Their newfound friendship prompts an act of sacrifice and generosity that gives them both hope for the future.

The script was written by student Joe Stone of Glendale, Ariz. It was produced and directed by Phil Wilson, Arizona Digital Media Arts Program Director. Fifteen students from the Arizona Center for DMA played key roles including script supervisor, grip, assistant camera, boom operator, audio mixer, composer, set designer, assistant editor, and production assistant.

Huntington University’s Arizona campus opened in September 2016 with 18 students. The spring 2017 semester had 47 students enrolled. The Center offers bachelor’s degree programs in digital media arts, with majors in film production, broadcast media, and graphic design.