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Two Films From Villanova University Students Selected As 2015 Student Academy Award Finalists

By Jessica Dean

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Lightning struck twice for students at Villanova University who can now add Academy Award finalist to their resumes.

The Academy recently named not one, but two films from Villanova students as finalists for the Student Academy Awards.

CBS 3 Eyewitness News had a chance to talk with the filmmakers and their professors about the honor.

Two student films are changing the way Villanova University is seen in the film world.

"Out of 16,000 films that were submitted," said Hezekiah Lewis, an assistant professor at Villanova University, "I would have never in my wildest dreams believe that that would come out of Villanova University."

"It's just so great because it is the students whose talents are just amazing to us and I really feel honored to work with Villanova students in this program," said John O'Leary, assistant professor at Villanova University.

Rise and Shine" follows young people in both Ghana and Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion neighborhood.

"'Rise and Shine' is really about how your identity impacts your opportunity, and it is specifically focusing on religion, race and class," said  co-producer Haile Bennett.

Co-producer Haile Bennett hopes the film will spark conversations about social inequality.

For Bennett, the honor of being a Student Academy Award finalist is great for the film and Villanova.

"I think it's saying that we're becoming a great film department and that we're really growing and expanding what we stand for," said Bennett.

"In Transition: Tony Chennault" follows a Philly native with a promising professional basketball career who faced personal tragedy and ultimately gave up that dream for a different life.

"The great lesson is have a dream, establish the goals to reach your dream, but always have something to fall back on, and the best thing to fall back on is an education," said director Elinore Wright.

With the success of her film, you could say director Elinore Wright is living her dream.

"It's the coolest feeling in the entire world," said Wright.

The winners will be announced in September.

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