BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — Students in the Interactive Design and Video Production (IDVP) program at Hennepin Technical College received top honors from the Upper Midwest Emmy Foundation, earning a Crystal Pillar Student Production Award for their animated short film “Light Snack.”
The award follows the announcement of six Crystal Pillar nominations for Hennepin Tech student productions in March, highlighting the strength and versatility of the college’s media programs.
“Light Snack,” an animated short created by IDVP students, won in April in the Animation/Graphics/Special Effects category. The film was animated by Peter Rudolph, Saadman Maheer, Aidan Lynch, Jack Hinze, John Genco, and Eduardo Dominguez Castillo, with faculty advisor John McCaffrey.
In addition to the award-winning project, five other student productions were nominated across multiple categories:
- Fiction Short Form Content: The Forest — written, directed, and edited by Kobe Session
- Non-Fiction Short Form Content: Dementia — directed and edited by Makizza Rich
- Interview/Discussion: Reel 2 Real: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Public Service Announcement (PSA): Fatherhood
- Animation/Graphics/Special Effects Craft: Light Snack (additional nomination)
“These nominations and awards reflect the creativity, collaboration and technical skill our students bring to every project,” said faculty advisor John McCaffrey.
Students who attended the awards ceremony and are pictured include:
Front row: Eduardo Domingue Castillo, Aidan Lynch, Grayson Kohout-Spidahl, Spencer Jones, Nathan Peterson, Peter Rudolph
Back row: Luna Miller, Matt Donath, Makizza Rich, Brian Schroeder, John McCaffrey, Ezekiel Thurston, Jack Kleppe, J Kolden, Kobe Session
View the award-winning film “Light Snack” here:
https://youtu.be/oHs0JC3vcJ0?si=CEIoo9_TkFOaPCFO
The Student Production Awards, also known as the Crystal Pillars, are presented by the Upper Midwest Emmy Foundation to recognize excellence in student media production.
About Hennepin Technical College
Founded in 1972, Hennepin Tech is the largest stand-alone technical college in Minnesota. With campuses in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, the college offers degree and non-degree courses in over 40 programs in the skilled trades and high-demand career fields. Achieving a high job placement rate, Hennepin Tech prepares students for high-paying employment opportunities.
