Correction appended

This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Rachel Milkovich

Eights alumni were awarded praise from the District’s mayor today for their work on a documentary on ex-convicts’ search for employment.

Presenters awarded the Washington’s Best Film Award to the alumni of the Institute for Documentary Filmmaking, a program within the School of Media and Public Affairs, for their film “Released to Life.”

The documentary follows the struggle of ex-offenders in D.C. as they find work and define themselves in society.

The event was presided over by Mayor Vincent Gray and founder and chairman of SnagFilms Ted Leonsis.

“This contest is the first of many that will highlight the incredible talent that exists here in our nation’s capital,” Gray said. “I congratulate these extraordinary young filmmakers on successfully tackling such an important topic and being a shining example for budding filmmakers all over the District.”

The filmmakers are Jason Wilder Evans, Jatryce Jackson, Kripa Koshy, Yavar Moghimi, Hua “Lily” Qin, Erika Rydberg, Rebecca Taylor and Greg Upwall.

Leonsis said he encourages the idea of “filmanthropy” – social responsibility of film and “films that pursue the double bottom line.”

Following the screening of the film was a question and answer panel with experts in the area of offender rehabilitation, including one of the film’s subjects, Eric Weaver, who served 22 years in prison. Weaver was able to find a job by receiving a degree from the University of the District of Columbia, through a program for incarcerated felons which no longer exists.

“Released to Life” can be viewed on SnagFilms.com, a database created with over 3,000 free, award-winning documentaries and independent films.

This post was updated on February 2, 2012 to reflect the following:
Based on inaccurate information from the University’s media relations department, The Hatchet incorrectly referred to the award-winners as students. In fact, they are alumni of GW.