San Joaquin Film Society is proud to announce that filmmaker Theodore Thomas, alumnus of University of the Pacific, will be honored with the its 2010 Ambassador Award at its flagship 3rd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF3). Director Thomas and his wife and producing partner, Kuniko Okubo, will be present at the award presentation at SJIFF3's Closing Night Gala presentation of Thomas's film, "Walt & El Grupo": February 26, 2010 at 7:00PM, at The State Theatre (1307 J Street, Modesto, California 95354). Click for Tickets

The Ambassador Award honors an exemplary talent connected with the local community - who endeavors to: promote cross-cultural appreciation; catalyze the creative arts; to utilize the power of film; and to contribute to the quality of life for the greater community and beyond, through film and media.

• Theodore Thomas (on Experiences in Stockton): "I graduated from University of the Pacific in 1973, from Callison College, after having spent an academic year studying in India and my final term in Japan. Today, Callison College has been succeeded by the School of International Studies (SIS). While at the university, I also performed in the wind ensemble (one term), and was a DJ on KUOP-FM. During my freshman year I was an extra in two films that were shot in Stockton: "Strawberry Statement" and "RPM" (both having to do with college student unrest!) In 1985 I was chosen as outstanding young alumnus. I was most recently in Stockton in June of 2009 at a Callison College reunion."

• Sophoan Sorn, Founder, San Joaquin Film Society: "I am delighted to get to know director Thomas and his wife and producing partner, Kuniko - whose teamwork brought forth 'Walt & El Grupo' - this intelligent, fascinating, and spirited film about the citizen diplomacy of Walt Disney and friends on their journey to South America, during a time of global uncertainties. The masterful film celebrated the magic of friendship, cultural understanding, and humanity. I am thrilled to welcome him back to Stockton, and to honor him with our Ambassador Award."

• Theodore Thomas (on the Ambassador Award): "What a great honor. The qualities of the Ambassador Award are of real importance to Kuniko and me; goals that one strives towards even though confirmation that they have actually been achieved is often elusive. For them to be singled out in our filmmaking is extremely gratifying, and humbling. Thank you very, very much. "

ABOUT THEODORE THOMAS

Son of legendary animator Frank Thomas, Theodore Thomas was born and raised in Los Angeles. Extended stays in India and Japan, and world travels with a camera, eventually led him to making motion pictures. A Fellow of the Sundance Institute and a recipient of a California Arts Council Screenwriting Fellowship, Ted is also a published still photographer and a musician specializing in traditional jazz.

The creative team of Theodore Thomas and his wife, Kuniko Okubo, has received critical praise and audience recognition worldwide for film work in diverse formats and genres, including feature documentaries, broadcast narratives and documentary work, and Circlevision and IMAX films. Whether writing and directing on assignment or producing one of their own films, their collaborative work is characterized by imagination, strong story sense, and an ability to give complex themes emotional resonance and context. In their hands, a film about how toys are made became a musical fantasy of two wind-up toys in search of their origins ("Where the Toys Come From," The Disney Channel). They have turned a story of grizzly bears and humans into a parable of cultural conflict ("The Grizzlies," National Geographic), captured the philosophical musings of the first men to walk on the moon ("Return from Space," Toho-Towa), and essayed the life-long friendship of two artists who created many of the most enduring moments in cinematic history ("Frank and Ollie," Buena Vista). And all of it has been done with an engaging humor, lyricism, and poignancy that has brought accolades including an Emmy, a Writers Guild Award, two more Writers Guild nominations, an International Documentary Association Award nomination, top film festival award from San Francisco, and recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
(source: www.waltandelgrupo.com)

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