CINEMATIC ARTS — ZAKI GORDON CENTER (CINE)

“NEVER GIVE UP” AND “FIRST RESPONDERS”

In 2022, junior students in the CINE program had the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the crew of Never Give Up, the true story of how 20-year-old Brad Minns did the impossible in the men’s singles tennis finals at the 1985 Deaf World Games. This feature film was shot in the Lynchburg region, and students worked under department keys (heads) who provided them with some on-the-job training in fulfillment of their course curriculum, enhancing their résumés. Never Give Up is scheduled for release in select theaters this year.

First Responders is a feature-length movie that included CINE students in the crew. Some shots were filmed with a crew that comprised our junior class in 2018; some shots were filmed in 2021 with a crew of CINE alumni. Most of this feature film was shot in Lynchburg and surrounding states. First Responders was released in select theaters for a limited time in October 2022.

The Mulligan

In January, CINE’s most recent feature film The Mulligan (2021) received the Movieguide® nomination for 2023’s Most Inspirational Independent Film. CINE Executive Director Stephan Schultze attended the ceremony in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 10, 2023. Additionally, lead actor Pat Boone won the Grace Prize® for Most Inspiring Performance for Movies.