The showcase, which culminates four years of study for the university's senior-level film students, starts at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Screenings will take place in the Goldenson Theatre at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, 5230 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood.

The evening features the work of some of the university's top film students, said cinema and television arts professor Nate Thomas.

"The films each year get better and better," Thomas said. "This year's crop represents a diverse group of films, from comedy to drama and even a sci-fi piece. These films don't look like the typical student films. They are well polished and something that we can be quite proud of."

The showcase also will feature a tribute to CSUN alum Paul Hunter, who makes his motion picture directorial debut on April 16 with the premier of Bulletproof Monk, staring Chow Yun Fat, Seann William Scott and Jamie King. The film's producers include John Woo. Thomas called Hunter an "example of the quality of the students who come out of our program."

"We're a state school and we realize that our students have to work harder than their counterparts who come from private schools," Thomas said. "But Paul is an example of our ability to cultivate talent, which combined with his drive and tenacity, he was able to turn into success."

Hunter attended CSUN in the early 1990s. He has had a long and successful career as a commercial and music video director. Having worked with such celebrated music artists as Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, Christina Aguilera, Eminem, D'Angelo, Courtney Love, Marilyn Manson, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Mariah Carey, Will Smith and Janet Jackson, Hunter is among an elite group of directors who successfully segue between hip-hop and rock.

Hunter directed the music video for the come-back single You Rock My Worldfor Michael Jackson and is responsible for the multiple award-winning "Divas" video for the soundtrack to the film Moulin Rougue featuring Aguilera, Pink, Mya, Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim as well as Aaliyah's video for her hit song, Resolution.

He continues his work in commercial directing by overseeing big budget product spots for such companies as The Gap and Coca Cola. A commercial he directed for Nike received an Emmy Award.

Hunter will be at the showcase to receive the Department of Cinema and Television Arts' Distinguished Alumni Award.

The four student films to be screened that evening are:

• Lighting the Lamp, directed by Rani Breslow. A young East Indian woman must decide between continuing her education or having a child.
• Hidden Treasure, directed by Artin Nazarian. A young girl who lives in an abusive house finds hope in an unusual place as she uncovers a life-altering secret.
• Pie in the Sky, directed by Stephen Casa. Unhappy with his current situation, Jesus Christ leaves the comforts of heaven to finally put an end to the Mid-East Crisis. Failing miserably, he falls in with a fast talking gentleman who exploits his most hidden desires.
• 3013, directed by Brian Hanson. In a top secret cryogenics lab in 1978, a disabled World War II veteran is placed in a hibernation pod in hopes of being able to walk again in the year 3013.