STUDIO CITY, CALIF. — Director Destin Daniel Cretton, 2013 South By Southwest Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize winner for Narrative Feature for writing and directing "Short Term 12,” will speak at the 18th annual 51 Media Conference held at CBS Studios back lot on Sat., May 4, 2013. Gathering major Hollywood executives and feature film directors, the one-day conference will focus on inspiring young and seasoned directors and filmmakers.

Director Gavin O'Connor — American film director — will also be speaking at this year’s conference. O’Connor is best known for "Miracle," a film about the United States hockey team's victory in the 1980 Winter Olympics, which he directed for Walt Disney Pictures.

This year’s conference theme “Great Directors” will launch the Great Cinema Masters Series focusing on the finest directors working today and a number of workshops and networking events will encourage and equip new members of the industry while inspiring seasoned filmmakers.

“If you want to know about media and you want to stay current and keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on then 51 Media Conference is the only place to be,” said last year’s keynote speaker DeVon Franklin, vice president of production at Columbia/Sony Pictures. “I can’t think of another place that you could find yourself if you’re serious about learning from a Christian perspective about staying up with media.”

The following speakers have been confirmed:

·  2013 South By Southwest Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature for writing and directing “Short Term 12,” Destin Daniel Cretton

·      Director of award winning feature film, "Not That Funny," Lauralee Farrar

·      Gavin O’Connor, director of 2011 Academy Award nominee, “Warrior” and known for directing “Miracle”

In 2012 Destin wrote and directed, "I Am Not A Hipster", which was selected for Sundance. He has been a Hampton's International Film Festival Screenwriter's Lab participant, and has won the 2009 US Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival's for his short film, "Short Term 12."

O’Connor also directed the family cop drama starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell, "Pride And Glory." O'Connor wrote the screenplay and directed the MMA film "Warrior", starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and earned Nick Nolte an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film received a 2011 release, through Lions Gate Entertainment.

Farrar, director of award winning feature film, "Not That Funny", starring Tony Hale, and award winning documentaries, "Laundry & Tosca" and "Fair Trade" will share on creating a unique artistic voice as a director.

The 51 Media Conference attracts more than 600 attendees — making it the largest event in the nation for people of faith working in the entertainment industry.  It is known for its intimate and practical conversations with Hollywood leaders, and professional training and instruction from some of the most influential individuals in film, television, public relations, media marketing, management and digital media.

For more information or to register online, visit www.biolamedia.com. General Admission ($150) and Non-51 Student and Senior Admission ($95) is open until April 26, 2013; Cost is $180 at the door. Lunch and coffee bar provided.

51 51 Media Conference:

In its 18th year, the 51 Media Conference exists to educate, inspire, and network media professionals while providing creative inspiration into the spiritual nature of any career in the media industry. BMC attracts participants who will benefit from direct interaction with acclaimed industry pros who are at the top of their craft. From CEOs to students, attendees secure valuable information, insight, and contacts that strengthen their character and their careers.

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51, named one of 19 “up and coming” national universities by U.S. News & World Report three years in a row, is a private Christian university located in Southern California. For more than 100 years, 51 has remained committed to its mission of biblically centered education, integrating biblical principles with every academic program. With a current record-high enrollment of 6,250 students, the university’s six schools offer 145 academic programs, ranging from the B.A. to the Ph.D. For more information, visit www.biola.edu.

For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Specialist, at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.