Indiana University Music Student Jordan Cain Selected Grand Prize Winner for the 2016 IES Abroad Student Film Festival

CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IES Abroad, a leading not-for-profit organization providing access to study abroad programs in more than 20 countries and 35 cities around the world, announced today that Jordan Cain, a native of La Palma, California, and music student at Indiana University, has been selected by voters on Facebook as this year's grand prize winner of the IES Abroad Student Film Festival. Cain's film, "Even in Europe…," is a light-hearted and entertaining take on his semester abroad in Europe as expressed through music and dance.

Rather than document his semester abroad in a conventional manner, Cain, who was inspired by YouTuber Matt Bray and his channel devoted to living life to its fullest, filmed himself dancing in front of iconic European landmarks like Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Trevi Fountain in Rome and the Acropolis in Athens. "I took a camera with me everywhere I went and danced, walked, and had fun embracing what I thought was beautiful and unique to each city and its culture," Cain said. "I'm incredibly thankful I had this opportunity to learn about the world and myself through my international study abroad and travel experiences. This film was my way of expressing my feelings about this life-changing experience."

The 2016 IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival received a record 70 student film submissions from the more than 6,300 students who studied or interned abroad last year through IES Abroad programs. "Even in Europe…" was one of five finalists selected by a highly accomplished jury of filmmakers which includes Academy Award-nominated writer, director and producer Willard Hyuck (himself an alumnus of IES Abroad Paris), whose film credits include American Graffiti and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, among others.

As this year's winner, Cain will receive a $1,500 cash prize and an invitation to screen his film at the IES Abroad Annual Conference on October 7^th in Chicago.

"IES Abroad's mission is to provide educational opportunities that allow global leaders to emerge," said Dr. Mary M. Dwyer, President and CEO of IES Abroad. "While every competition must have a winner, IES Abroad is immensely proud of all of the participants in the 2016 festival, as it is evident that each of them has the entrepreneurial and creative spirit necessary to thrive in today's multicultural world. Special congratulations to Jordan and the festival's other finalists for capturing the essence of the IES Abroad experience of studying abroad."

About IES Abroad

Founded in 1950, IES Abroad is a global, not-for-profit academic consortium of more than 200 top-tier American colleges and universities that provides premier study abroad and internship programs around the world. With more than 120 study abroad programs in 35 locations worldwide, the organization creates authentic global education opportunities for more than 6,300 students annually. IES Abroad has more than 110,000 alumni who have benefited from studying in IES Abroad programs since its inception.

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Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iNv2eh4YZ8

SOURCE IES Abroad