Recent Newhouse graduates honored at international film festival

Recent Newhouse graduates honored at international film festivalJanuary 22, 2007Wendy S. Loughlinwsloughl@syr.edu

Matt Blitz and Ben Kahn, both 2006 graduates of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, will be honored at an awards ceremony Feb. 10 from 8-10:30 p.m. at FUSION 215 (215 W. 28th St.) in New York City. Their documentary, “A Walk in the Dark,” won an Achievement in Filmmaking Award for best short documentary at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival in November.

“A Walk in the Dark” tells the story of SU graduate student Glenn Stewart, who lost his sight in a car accident 10 years earlier. The film, which runs 34 minutes long, chronicles Stewart’s experience as a blind student, including his use of special technologies, his friendship with another blind student, and his meeting with SU men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim and former player Gerry McNamara.

Blitz and Kahn, who majored in television, radio and film (TRF) while at Newhouse, created the documentary as part of a senior capstone class taught by TRF professor Richard Breyer. “I’m not surprised that Matt and Ben’s film was recognized at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival,” says Breyer. “They exhibited the best qualities of documentary filmmaking. They were thorough and passionate.”

The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (http://www.nyfilmvideo.com) is recognized as the largest independent film event in the world.