Lakewood resident competes for $1 million contract

Contributed by: Ryan Barry on 8/7/2006 - - Derel Cianfrance, of Lakewood, is one of five finalists who is still in the running to win a $1 million production and distribution deal for his own original feature film. Hoping to win a ticket to the big screen, Cianfrance was chosen as a finalist in the Chrysler Film Project from more than 550 nationwide entries, based on his work and potential as a talented emerging filmmaker.

As the next step in the process, Cianfrance and four other finalists will be challenged to create a three to five-minute short film showcasing the 2007 Chrysler Aspen and Chrysler Sebring vehicles, the newest in the Chrysler lineup. The five participants will be judged on the quality and production viability of the screenplay and the grand prize winner will be announced in September.

In addition to the Chrysler Film Project, Cianfrance attended the University of Colorado where he studied under avant-garde film legends Stan Brakhage and Phil Solomon. Cianfrance's first three films all took the University's top prize for student film work three years in a row. Serving as director of photography, Derek revealed teen racing and Hispanic subculture in "Streets of Legend" for which he won best cinematographer at Sundance 2003. Ryan Barry works for Clear!Blue, a communications and marketing company.