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1.  What is the MICHAEL S. ROIF AWARD in FILM STUDIES? 
The ROIF AWARD in FILM STUDIES is a competitive annual prize awarded to a single student or divided between two students enrolled in the University’s Undergraduate Film Studies Certificate Program whose film, video, or moving-image-media work demonstrates exceptional creativity and accomplishment.   In a given year, at least one prize must be awarded for production or screenwriting.  If two prizes are awarded, one may be given for a scholarly essay.  The award is based upon a gift, made by his family, in honor of Michael S. Roif, a University alumnus and film enthusiast.

2.  How can a student apply for the ROIF AWARD?
A student cannot apply directly.  If eligible, a student must be nominated by an instructor of a University film/video or related course during the spring semester 2008 or academic year 2008-2009.

3.  Who can be nominated? 
Nominees must be: University undergraduate *Film Studies Certificate students who have completed a film/video/moving-image-media project in a University film/video or related course during the Spring semester 2008 or academic year 2008-2009.  Award winners must be undergraduates in good standing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst at the time the award is conferred.
*Must be enrolled in Certificate Program by 12:00pm Friday 24 April 2009.

4.  How many students can an instructor nominate?
Each instructor of a University film/video or related course during Spring 2008 or the academic year 2008-2009 (including adjunct & visiting faculty, T.O.s, and discussion-section T.A.s) may nominate a maximum of two students per academic year for work completed as part of a course project.

5.  What is the NOMINATION PROCESS?
A maximum of two eligible students may be nominated by each instructor of a University film/video or related course during  Spring 2008 or academic year 2008-2009 by:
A.  completing a nomination form (available at the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies office, 129 Herter Annex, University, 413-545-3659)
B.  attaching a copy of the student’s work (screenplays and essays should be sent as Word attachments if possible)

1. returning the above materials to the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies office

All nominations must be received no later than 4:00pm Tuesday 5 May, 2009.

6.  What about collaborative work?
Students participating in collaborative work may be nominated, either for a particular role in a production (determined at the discretion of the instructor) or as part of a team.  If a team is nominated, those participants in a collaborative project will be counted as a single nominee and will divide any prize money between them should they win. 

8.   Who judges the nominations?
A selection committee composed of members of the University’s Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies faculty will determine the winner(s).

9.   What if I win?
Prizewinner(s) will be notified in advance of the annual award ceremony.  The public award ceremony will be held annually at the University at the end of the spring semester.  Winner(s) must attend the ceremony at 12:00noon Friday 15 May where their work will be presented.  It is hoped that the prize money will be used for future film/video work, and it is expected that winners will send a copy of this work to the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies.  The Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies and the family of Michael S. Roif will each receive copies of the annual award-winning work(s) and of any work funded by the prize money.

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