The Wegner Award recognizes excellence in film writing. For the 2024 essay competition, please choose one of the following three films, and tell us why it is worthy of our attention. You can approach the film from any perspective that you choose; we are looking for dynamic voices and inventive, well-developed arguments.

• BARBIE (2023; dir. Greta Gerwig)

• OPPENHEIMER (2023; dir. Christopher Nolan)

• TOKYO STORY (1953; dir. Yasujirō Ozu)

Entries must be 1500-2000 words; please state the total word count at the end of your submission.

This is an undergraduate award. All UNLV film majors and/or students from other majors who have taken at least two film courses at UNLV are eligible to apply. Only one entry per student may be submitted. (If you make an error and wish to re-submit your essay, start a new application. Only your most recent submission will be considered.)

• First place - $1,000

• Second place - $750

• Third place - $500

Submissions will be accepted until April 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be announced at the UNLV Film Honors Celebration on April 22, 2024.