PITTSBURGH, May 5, 2022 – The Pittsburgh Film Office recently presented La Roche University student Carola Corbi Guirao with the 2022 Pitch-Burgh Audience Choice Award.
Ms. Corbi Guirao earned the award for her film, “Nostalgia,” which was inspired by a Spanish song, “Giovanni de Luca,” in which a woman discusses what it means for her to be nostalgic.
Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Film Crystal Fortwangler, Ph.D., said, “‘Nostalgia’ beautifully reflects Carola’s interest in a mixed-media film style. Her work often incorporates both a narrative and documentary style, and reflects a poetic vision of storytelling.”
Students from universities across Pittsburgh submitted their original work for consideration. In April the Pittsburgh Film Office presented all submissions and announced the winner at Pitch-Burgh: The Screening. The virtual event included featured guest Valkyrie Speaker, post-production coordinator for El Matador Productions.
Ms. Corbi Guirao created “Nostalgia” as part of La Roche’s Film Portfolio class, led by adjunct faculty member Rishi Sethi. The course provides instruction and guidance for students as they prepare their professional film portfolios. In consultation with faculty and peers, students revise and improve upon prior and current projects to strengthen their portfolios.
“The class helped me to really work on the film—not only to have one more piece for my portfolio, but also for me to be aware of my aesthetic and style as an artist to create a more cohesive portfolio,” Ms. Corbi Guirao said.
Originally from Alicante, Spain, Ms. Corbi Guirao is majoring in film with a minor in photography. She completed an internship with Image 987, a Pittsburgh-based film and production company, during the Spring 2022 semester.
“In her time at La Roche, Carola has proven to be a strong student and passionate artist with a distinct voice. She has an interest in design, photography and animation, and her films reflect those skill sets,” Mr. Sethi said. “‘Nostalgia’ is a prime example of her aesthetic. It incorporates family vacation footage, audio recordings, sound effects, projections, hand drawn animation and narrative footage, and expresses deeply felt personal yet universally relatable emotions.”
“Nostalgia” also placed as the Runner-Up Audience Choice Award in La Roche’s Spring 2022 Film Screening.
The film program at La Roche prepares students for entry-level jobs and further education in the field. Professors are industry-connected and have experience creating narrative, documentary and experimental films.
Pitch-Burgh is an annual event held by the Pittsburgh Film Office in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Film and Media Educators (PFAME) Alliance, which is comprised of the department leaders and professors of multiple university-level film programs in the region. PFAME was formed in 2019 to create communication and collaboration among the multiple university-led film programs and their students. The Alliance is comprised of representatives and the students from Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, La Roche University, Duquesne University, Community College of Allegheny County, Point Park University, Robert Morris University and the University of Pittsburgh.
###
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 66 undergraduate programs of study, six master’s degrees and one doctoral degree, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, nursing, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for nearly 1,300 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.