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From a Villanova University Press Release: VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Villanova University student-produced social justice documentary, Sankofa, had already been announced as one of 16 Student Academy Award winners for 2019. But on Thursday night, Oct. 17, at the 46th Student Academy Awards ceremony held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif., Sankofa was honored with the top prize. The film won the gold medal in the Documentary/Domestic Film Schools Category.
This is the first Student Academy Award for Villanova.
Created and produced by 21 Villanova students under the name Riptide Pictures, Sankofa tells the story of mental slavery and its negative systemic impact on black males across the world. The film explores the complexities and parallels between the United States and Ghana to illuminate the prevalence of mental slavery internationally. Riptide Pictures shot the film on location in Ghana and the U.S. during the fall of 2017.
“These students are the first in the history of Villanova University to win a Student Academy Award—which is an amazing honor,” said Hezekiah Lewis, Teaching Professor of Communication. “They have been on a historical journey and I am honored to be on this journey with them. Sankofa is a film that will challenge you and it takes a brave group of students to take on such a deep subject matter.”
According to USA Today, “Winners join an esteemed list of past Student Academy Award winners like Pete Docter, Cary Fukunaga, Spike Lee, Patricia Riggen and Robert Zemeckis.” What’s more, “Winners are now eligible for the animated short, live action short and documentary short categories at the Oscars.”
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