Area student wins film festival

Kevin Shulman, a Camarillo resident and film student at Brooks Institute of Photography, received four award nominations at the recent New York City Horror Film Festival in Manhattan’s prestigious Tribeca Film Center.

Shulman’s 28-minute film “I.O.U.,” which premiered on Oct. 21, was nominated for best screenplay, best cinematography, best short film and best actor awards.

“Kevin combines his technical skills with drive, passion and a remarkable talent,” said Glynn Beard, program director for film and video production at Brooks. “Kevin, in only his second year, is setting the stage for great success in the horror film genre.”

The psychologically complex horror film, which Shulman wrote, produced and directed, stars horror icon Tony Todd, the star of the horror classic “Candyman” and other major motion pictures including “Platoon” and “The Rock.”

The 20-year-old Shulman, a lifelong horror fan, wrote “I.O.U.” with Todd in mind. Though it is unusual for celebrities to appear in student-produced films, Shulman approached the actor after waiting in line for his autograph. Todd agreed to participate after reading the script. The film was shot on location in Shulman’s hometown of Camarillo and in Los Angeles.

In addition to support provided by Brooks and the Kodak company, Shulman privately raised $17,000 to complete the project. Shulman currently is writing his first feature-length horror film, which he will direct beginning in March 2006.