Just six months ago Kseniya Rukavishnikova, M.F.A. ’10, was sitting in disbelief watching as a full theater including industry leaders screened Resolved, her first short film during the School of Communication’s annual visit to Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

Now, Resolved has been accepted to the 17th Annual Slamdance Film Festival. The festival, which bills itself as “a showcase for the discovery
of new and emerging talent,” takes place January 21-27, 2011 in Park City, Utah at the same time as the acclaimed Sundance Film Festival, also in Park City. During those seven days, the city will be jumping with filmmakers — and industry folks, who are ready to discover the next big talent.

Rukavishnikova’s short film shot in Russia with a Russian cast, tells the mysterious story of a nurse who is tormented by a decision from her past  and attempts to find redemption through her patient. Written by Brandon Maurice Williams, M.F.A. ‘10, Resolved will compete for a cash prize and recognition in the Short Film Competition category.

"I didn't know the movie was sent to the festival and I didn't expect such wonderful news" said Rukavishnikova, who is currently a production intern in Los Angeles. "I am very grateful to Dia Kontaxis [University of Miami Motion Picture Program director, who submitted Resolved to Slamdance] for her belief  in the film. I am looking forward to being at Slamdance in January."  

Rukavishnikova's film premiered at last year's UM 'Canes Film Festival where it was one of the top award-winning films.

 “It is such a moving piece. The fact that she shot it while in film school on a limited budget and in a different country is amazing,” said Maggie Drayton, a motion picture graduate student and director of  2010 ‘Canes Film Festival. “This is a huge accomplishment for her and the school because we really do encourage this kind of filmmaking here.”

For its upcoming event, Slamdance received a record number of over 5,000 submissions. School of Communication students and faculty will attend the festival. Slamdance counts among its alumni many notable writers and directors who first gained notice at the festival, including Christopher Nolan (Inception, The Dark Knight) Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball) and Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite).

To see a clip of Rukavishnikov’s film visit: http://vimeo.com/11765610

For more information about the University of Miami’s Motion Picture program visit: http://www.com.miami.edu/programs-motion-picture