2007 Academy Award Nominee Named
Cosgrove Family Endowment Distinguished Visiting Artist
Deepa Mehta, whose film “Water” received an Academy Award® nomination for 2007 Best Foreign Language Film, will serve as the inaugural Cosgrove Family Endowment Distinguished Visiting Artist at the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television (SFTV). The announcement was made by SFTV Dean Teri Schwartz.
Mehta’s appointment is for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 academic years. During that time she will conduct master classes with an emphasis on humanistic visual storytelling for film. In addition, Mehta will mentor SFTV students and give them a comprehensive look at creating deeply engaging and transformational films on the international stage.
“Deepa Mehta is one of the most significant and important humanistic writer/directors working in film today,” Schwartz says. “We believe the appointment of Ms. Mehta as our inaugural Cosgrove Distinguished Visiting Artist greatly honors the spirit of the Cosgrove Family Endowment. It is a strong reflection of the Cosgrove's humanistic vision and generosity, as well as their deep commitment to diversity, our LMU School of Film and Television, and the entire filmmaking community.”
Schwartz says the Cosgrove Family Endowment, with its emphasis on humanism and diversity, helps enrich the SFTV and LMU experience for faculty, students, staff and alumni alike.
“We have the opportunity to leverage the multi¬faceted potential of SFTV and foster our vision for visual storytelling grounded in humanism, innovation and diversity by creating distinguished programs and alliances that enhance our presence throughout the global creative community,” Schwartz explains. “Deepa Mehta is a profoundly gifted filmmaker and person of conscience. She is the perfect filmmaker to enrich our community and join us in achieving our goals of excellence on this international stage. We are proud and delighted to welcome her to LMU's School of Film and Television."
Deepa Mehta was born in India and received a degree in philosophy from the University of New Delhi.
In 1991, Mehta produced and directed her first feature film “Sam & Me,” which won the very first Honorable Mention by the Critics in the Camera D'Or category in the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.
In 1992-93, she directed two one-hour episodes of the “Young Indiana Jones Chronicles,” produced by George Lucas for ABC Television. In 1993, she directed her second feature film, “Camilla.”
“Fire,” written, directed and produced by Mehta, was her third feature film, based on an original screenplay. The film was released in 1996 and won 14 international festival awards including Best Picture in Chicago and Los Angeles.