Latest news with #SchoolofCinematicArts
Black America Web
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Kobe Bryant's Daughter Natalia Rocks His ‘Black Mamba' Logo During Her USC Graduation
Looks like USC has another celebrity daughter among its graduates. First, Sasha Obama graduated in 2023, with a degree in sociology. Now Natalia Bryant, the eldest daughter of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, has graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California's prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. The 22-year-old, who was the first of Kobe's four daughters with his wife Vanessa, paid tribute to her father during the commencement ceremony. She wore a red graduation stole embroidered with his Black Mamba sheath logo and the message, 'Thank you Mom & Dad.' Her mother, Vanessa, 43, was by her side and documented the event on her Instagram page. Vanessa shared photos of her daughter in her graduation look, 'We're so proud of you!' Natalia responded with a simple, 'Love you!!!' In a further nod to her father, Los Angeles Lakers president and the team's majority owner, Jeannie Buss, handed Natalia her diploma, drawing a thank you from Natalia on her mother's page. Natalia also included her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, on her graduation sash. A very low-key Ciara attended the graduation to support Vanessa, her longtime friend. Celebrities in Vanessa's and Natalia's comments celebrating her accomplishment included La La Anthony, Michael B. Jordan, Tina Knowles, Monica, Ava DuVernay, fellow USC graduate Storm Reid, USC basketball star JuJu Watkins, Matt Barnes, Kris Jenner, Zoe Saldana, and Apollonia Kotero. 'If someone says [being a full-time student] is not difficult, they're lying, because it is,' Natalia told People in 2024. 'That in itself is a full-time job.' She added, 'But I do think that having a great support team, family and friends, has been the most important thing.' Natalia lost her father and 13-year-old sister, Gianna, in a helicopter crash in January 2020 that killed seven others. Vanessa and Kobe shared two other daughters, Bianka, now 8, and Capri, 5. Gianna would have turned 19 this month. With her newly minted degree, Natalia has said that she wants to make movies exploring coming-of-age themes surrounding young women. She told Town & Country last year that Sofia Coppola and Barbie director Greta Gerwig were among her inspirations. She already has a side hustle while pursuing her filmmaking dreams – Natalia is signed to IMG Models and made her runway debut with Versace at Milan Fashion Week in 2024. 'Natalia has always been able to accomplish anything she sets her mind to,' Vanessa told T&C. 'Whether she's at home with us, with her friends, at work, or at school, Natalia always stays present and passionate in the face of any challenge. I'm so proud of everything she's achieved and impressed by the kind, smart, and beautiful young woman I've seen her become.' SEE ALSO Kobe Bryant's Daughter Natalia Rocks His 'Black Mamba' Logo During Her USC Graduation was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Los Angeles Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Natalia Bryant honors dad Kobe during USC graduation and A-listers turn out with congrats
Natalia Bryant, the eldest daughter of late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, got an A-list round of applause online after she graduated Friday with honors from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. 'Congratulations!! World is yours!!' actor Michael B. Jordan wrote on Natalia's Instagram post while 'Euphoria' actor Storm Reid shouted out, 'gorg nani! proud of you.' Jennifer Garner left hearts and clapping hands on the model's post while Tina Knowles, Beyoncé's mom, wrote, 'Congratulations you make us all proud.' 'Gooo Nani Boo! So incredibly proud of you!!' singer Ciara wrote, ending her comment with a series of red hearts. 'Brava,' declared filmmaker Ava DuVernay. Eudoxie Bridges, the model and philanthropist who's married to Ludacris, said, 'Congratulations, beautiful.' Writer-podcaster Jay Shetty, U.S. Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin, reality star Kyle Richards, model Lily Aldridge and actor Lily Collins all offered kudos, with American fashion designer Solange Franklin Reed saying she was 'so proud' of Bryant. 'Omgg! It IS YOUUU! Congrats my beautiful babyy!' Kimora Lee Simmons gushed. 'My smart intelligent beautiful girl,' La La Anthony wrote. 'We're so proud of you @nataliabryant!' proud mama Vanessa Bryant wrote in her caption of a photo of Natalia Bryant sitting by a fountain on the USC campus. The 22-year-old attended the university's main graduation ceremony Thursday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, according to pictures on her mom's Instagram. Friday afternoon she collected her diploma when she walked in the film school's graduation. Her diploma was presented by Jeanie Buss, daughter of late Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who drafted Kobe Bryant straight out of high school when he was only 17. For the Friday ceremony, Natalia Bryant wore a cream-colored, long-sleeve, high-neck minidress set off by a custom cardinal-and-gold stole, which featured her father's sheath logo and acknowledged her cum laude status and membership in the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. On the back of the neck, 'Thank You Mom & Dad' was embroidered on the stole. Natalia Bryant was only 17 years old when her dad Kobe, 41, and sister Gianna,13, died on a foggy Sunday in January 2020 as the helicopter they were riding in crashed into a Calabasas hillside. Sister Bianka was 3 years old and sister Capri was 7 months old.
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Effat Film Festival celebrates emerging Saudi filmmakers
JEDDAH: The 12th edition of a student film festival celebrating the creativity of up-and-coming Saudi filmmakers is taking place at Effat University in Jeddah. The Effat International Student Film Festival, which ends on April 15, has attracted more than 2,200 film submissions from 90 countries, as well as entries from 10 Saudi universities. The competition shortlisted a total of 89 films from 28 countries, with cash prizes totaling more than SR50,000 ($13,333) available to the winners. This year's festival, held under the theme 'From Dream to Film,' recognizes notable figures in the film industry, including Saudi director Abdullah Al-Muheisen, Saudi actor Hassan Assiri, Saudi director Khalid Al-Harbi, British director Joanna Quinn, and Prof. Ghada Gabara, president of the Egyptian Academy of Arts. Other honorees hail from Japan, the US, and China. Dr. Mohamed Ghazala, head of the School of Cinematic Arts and festival director, told of his passion for the event by emphasizing the importance of community and creative storytelling. He said: 'Running a film festival is just like making a film. We're fueled by passion and the incredible support of our volunteers, contributors, and arts funding. 'It's not about the money; it's about uplifting filmmakers and nurturing a vibrant community. While organizing a festival can be challenging, it's an exciting journey filled with hard work and joy. 'You don't need a massive budget, endless time, or extensive business expertise to start a small film festival, the audience will find you. What matters most is a genuine love for film, the courage to take risks, and the drive to share meaningful stories.' Jala Jalal, the leader of the student club at the School of Cinematic Arts, reflected on the significance of the festival for students. Jalal said: 'The showreel is more than just a collection of films, it's a celebration of our creativity and growth as filmmakers. It's a reflection of our voices and visions. 'What I love most about this festival is the opportunity it gives us to connect with the film industry, both locally and internationally. Working on the showreel and seeing the final outcome fills us with pride, not just in ourselves, but also in being part of a university that provides us the platform to bring our visions to life.' The festival's jury members come from a diverse international background. Friedrich Kluetsch, president of the documentary film jury, told Arab News: 'The Saudi submissions were marked by a palpable joy in discovering the filmmakers' surroundings and their close connection to the protagonists. 'It was evident in the films' self-reflection, with three of them exploring filmmaking itself, portraying established filmmakers and an abandoned cinema. 'We noticed slight differences between the Saudi and international entries, particularly in the use of commentary or a narrator's voice, which was more common in the international films and helped express the filmmakers' perspectives.' Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, president of Effat University, highlighted the festival's broader mission to provide a unique platform for Saudi and international film students to showcase their work. She said: 'This festival plays a pivotal role in creating connections between young filmmakers worldwide. It aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, fostering the country's cultural movement and global presence in the arts.' Dr. Asmaa Ibrahim, dean of the College of Architecture and Design at Effat University, underscored the growing international recognition of the festival, saying: 'The increasing number of applications each year is testament to the festival's growing status. 'It's now the largest festival of its kind in the Arab world in terms of both the quality of films and the specialized focus on student filmmakers.' Alongside film screenings, the festival features a range of seminars and workshops conducted by industry leaders, including representatives from Netflix, Sony, MBC Academy, and Toon Boom Animation. Notable academic figures, such as professors from the University of Southern California, and the Communication University of China, were also scheduled to contribute lectures and workshops on topics like cinematography, directing, sound production, and film distribution. An open discussion hosted by media personality Suha Al-Waal with actor and producer Hassan Assiri at Hayy Jameel also took place at the event. Assiri, who was to be honored for his significant contributions to Saudi drama and production, shared insights into the evolving Saudi film industry, highlighting the growing opportunities for local talent and the increasing global recognition of Saudi productions.
