Film by Shane Watson ’14 Nominated for Award Presented by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

student with a serious facial expression, dressed in a red jacket and black baseball cap, standing in front of a street sign; blue sky in the background

A film directed and written by Rhodes alumnus Shane Watson ’14 has been nominated for the 2017 Student Academy Awards presented by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It is titled “I Live Here.” Award winners become eligible for Oscars consideration.

Watson majored in business at Rhodes, and while a student, he created “Untold Stories?” about unjust murders of African Americans in the United States. The film was shown at the 2014 Indie Memphis Film Festival. Watson graduated from California College of the Arts in May. 

The Academy established the Student Academy Awards in 1972 to support and encourage excellence in filmmaking at the collegiate level. Past winners include John Lasseter, Robert Zemeckis, Trey Parker and Spike Lee. The 44th Student Academy Awards presentation will be held Oct. 12 in Beverly Hills.