Summer Film Festivals Keep CWU Film And Video Studies Major Busy

June 4, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Work by a Central Washington University Film and Video Studies student Mike Winfrey has been accepted into two summer film festivals.

"Limbo," a film written and directed by Winfrey, was accepted into the Seattle True Independent Film Festival (STIFF). The festival, which runs from June 6 thru June 15, highlights nearly 100 films from all over the world, but keeps an emphasis on local films.

Central's Interdisciplinary Film and Video Studies program, which has only been in existence for two years, has been fortunate in attracting some very passionate and gifted students. As Dr. Michael Ogden, associate professor and director of the program explains, "Having such students, like Mike Winfrey, working on independent films that get invited to such prestigious film festivals as the Seattle True Independent Film Festival speaks volumes about the talent of our students and the strength of our program."

Winfrey, who has been involved with filmmaking since a young age, not only wrote the script for the film, but he also acted in the film. In 2003 he co-founded Empire Productions, a motion picture production company based out of Tacoma, Wash. "Limbo" was the first full-length film by his company.

Another large film project Winfrey has been working on, "Sarah Jane Road," is due out Summer 2008 and has also been getting some national attention. The trailer for the film took first place honors at the 2008 Boomtown Film and Music Festival in Beaumont, Tex., in May. Winfrey served as writer and director on the film.

"Limbo" will be playing at the Central Cinema in Seattle Sunday, June 15 at 9:30 p.m. More information on the film can be found at www.limbo-themovie.com.

Media Contact: Michael Winfrey, New Empire Productions, 253-508-1911
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu,509-963-1117 or 509-899-1222

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.