Foundation Recognizes Outstanding Student Films Two student films were honored at the Caucus Awards dinner on December 7, 2007. The Outstanding Student Film Award was presented to director Kevin G. King and his film "Dark and Bloody Ground" and producer/director Hezekiah Lewis and his film "Warrior Queen." Click PLAY to view Trailer "Dark And Bloody Ground" "Dark and Bloody Ground" is about Billy Jeffries, who was arrested and convicted of the attempted rape and murder of 77-year old Mary Evelyn McKee when he was 15 years-old. Ten years later, a hearing was ordered by the Kentucky Supreme Court in which Billy could be freed from prison – a dream for the Jeffries and a nightmare for the McKees. This documentary, with its access to both families, revisits the brutal crime, recounts the twists and turns of the trial, follows both families to one last, dramatic court hearing, and questions whether Billy is actually guilty. Click PLAY to view Trailer "Warrior Queen" Producer/director Hezekiah Lewis and his film "Warrior Queen" received second place. "Warrior Queen" tells the true, gut-wrenching story of African Queen Nana Yaa Asantewaa and the events that led her to rise up in arms against the British in the early 1900's. Support the Foundation - The Caucus hosts Entertainment Night August 2nd Entertainment Night, an evening of poker, casino play, live auction and a great dinner are all part of the upcoming Entertainment Night in Hollywood August 2, 2008. For details, please Click Here. Caucus Presents $25,000 In Grants To Aid Five Student Filmmakers The Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors Foundation has selected five student filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to receive $25,000 collectively in the Foundation’s Fall 2007 Student Grant Program, it was announced by Foundation President Chuck Fries. Students receive assistance to complete their student thesis films. These grants now bring a total to date of $372,000 plus $148,000 in-kind grants to Gold Circle Outstanding Student Film Awards for a sum of $520,000 presented to 69 students since the awards program was established in 2001. Recipients of this year’s grants are: Rajeev Dassani, USC, for his film, "A Day’s Work"; Nicolas Delgado, USC for his film, "The Macabre World of Lavender Williams"; Steven Edell, USC for "Honza"; Matthew Jones, Biola University, "Choices; Patrick Perez, UCLA for "Stockholm". Read More "Not only did the Caucus grant give me the funds to finish my thesis film exactly as I'd envisioned it, but it also gave me the opportunity to work with an industry mentor. Bob Finkel's invaluable wisdom and guidance challenged me to reach farther than I would have on my own. To then be selected by such esteemed members of the film industry to receive the Outstanding Student Film Award is an honor I will always treasure. I feel immensely proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of the Caucus program." - Nicole Haeusser, UCLA