Documentary Film Program

Congratulations to Isaac Weinberg @zickweinberg (MA` 25) & Leo Geneser (MFA `26) on their Best Documentary Short win!🎥🏆🙌

Their first-year film DIALING SCOTTIE recently took home top honors
at the 2025 @summerleaguefilmfestival!

In only its 2nd year, the festival has already become a highlight of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas — showcasing fresh voices and powerful stories on screen.

A big round of applause for this impressive achievement!👏

#DialingScottie #BestDocumentaryShort #wfudocfilm #wfugradschool #NBASummerLeague #StudentFilm #Documentary #Filmmakers #FilmSchool #LasVegas #SummerLeagueFilmFestival

Join us for a DFP Thesis Showcase screening of MOVING FORWARD!🎥✨

MOVING FORWARD, directed by Matt Groce @groceghost and Yuhang Zhao @yuh_z1999 (MFA ’25), follows passionate farmer and winemaker Chris Denesha @deneshafarms as he challenges conventions and redefines North Carolina wine through sustainable practices and unconventional grapes, only to have his vision and resilience tested when Hurricane Helene strikes.

📅 Wednesday, October 22
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Scales Fine Arts Center, Room 102

The 40-minute screening will be followed by a Q&A with co-director Matt Groce.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🍇🎬

#wfudocfilm #wakethearts #ashevillestrong #p

🎬 Submissions are open for the Annual Boone Docs Film Festival! 🎥🍿

The festival is celebrating five incredible years of showcasing authentic stories from Appalachia.

Held every February in Boone, NC, @boonedocsfilmfest highlights short documentaries that capture the heart and soul of life in the Appalachian Region of the United States.

⏱️ Films must be under 20 minutes and completed within the last two years to qualify.

Don’t miss out—the regular deadline is November 1 and submission is free for students. Submit your film today!

#boonedocsfilmfestival #wfudocfilm #appalachianstories #wakethearts

✨🎬 Join us for the kickoff of the 12th Annual Out at the Movies International Film Festival!

📽️ The invigorating evening features original OATM short films that spotlight LGBTQ+ culture in Winston-Salem and abroad, a panel discussion, and a complimentary post-screening reception with food, beer, & wine.

The evening will highlight two original “Queer History Project” documentaries, created in collaboration with DFP students:

🎬 PRETTY BOY ROY--directed by Emily Allgair @emilyallgairfilms & Riley Kayton @rileykayton
🎬 ALL THAT WE HAVE DONE--directed by Alissa Simone @sageandroses_20

Also screening:

🎬TENDING TO THE SOUL--directed by DW McCrary, winner of OATM’s 2024 Emerging Artist Film Grant
🎬WELCOME TO THE YACHT HOUSE--directed by Carrie Hart & Rick Dillwood

When & Where:
🗓️ Thursday, October 2 | 7:00 PM
📍 Porter Byrum Welcome Center, Wake Forest University, 1580 Wake Forest Rd, Winston-Salem, NC
💜 FREE & open to all — no registration required!

Sponsored by @wakethearts + @wfudocumentaryfilm

#outatthemovies #wfudocfilm #wakethearts

DFP in Sports Media & Storytelling and MFA in Documentary Film students and faculty enjoyed an evening of life and leadership lessons from @facetofacewfu speaker and Wake Forest alumnus, 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Chris Paul @cp3!🏀🎤✨

It was inspiring to hear from a decorated athlete who continues to demonstrate leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to giving back--both on and off the court. 🙌

#wfu #wfudocfilm #facetofacewfu #cp3

They did it again! Congratulations to our @moonlightmadness5kws crew—Professors of Practice Chris Sheridan the cjsheridan22 and Peter Gilbert @pmgilbs and MFA student Wilsury Wei @wilsurywei_ —who proudly represented the DFP for the second year in a row in an amazing race!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃👏

Last week we welcomed new students to the DFP. This week, the welcome wagon rolls out for Baddie — the new pint-sized feline ruler of The Doc House (a home to DFP students since 2021).

True to her name, Baddie @emilyallgair struts in with all the swagger of a youngster who already knows she’s in charge. But don’t be fooled — she knows she’s got some serious paw prints to fill, having heard tales of Doc House feline royalty before her: the fabulous, unforgettable Babs! @taylorrogers.jpeg

So here’s to Baddie: may your reign be long, your naps uninterrupted, and your platypus pal ever ready for playtime! 👑🐾

🎬Our first-year students have officially kicked off their DFP journey with the first class of the fall semester! 🎥

Here’s to an exciting year ahead!🙌

#wfudocfilm #wfugrad #ma26 #mfa27

Congratulations to Jack Balick @jackbalick and William Teets @wcteets (MA ’25) on the successful defense of their thesis film, AYZOH!👏 🎥

AYZOH follows Luke Tewalt, a prodigy distance runner adopted from Ethiopia and raised in America, and his struggle to chase Olympic dreams while searching for self identity.

Excellent work, Will and Jack! ! Welcome to the DFP alumni ranks!

#wfudocfilm #dfpgraduate #wfugrad #dfpalum

Excited to share the launch of THE HOMEWORK MACHINE, a new podcast series exploring how generative AI is reshaping the daily lives of K–12 teachers, staff, and students.

MFA student Andrew Meriwether @newmadwriterhere contributed his reporting and production talents to the project!🎤👏

🎧Give it a listen now on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2KO4QtyCeCfws9hiHvkBIL?si=56ad1658ff904add

#wfudocfilm #studentwork #wfugrad

Congratulations to Pete Tkac @tictkac10 (MA ’25) on successfully defending his thesis film, BACK ON TRACK! 👏 🏀🎥

After a random shooting left him paralyzed at 18, Chris Rivera rediscovered life through his love of basketball. Twenty years later, he leads the Triad Trackers alongside his teammates, Bri and “T.” BACK ON TRACK follows the team’s pursuit of a spot in the Wheelchair Basketball National Finals—and goes off the court to reveal the personal journeys that brought Chris, Bri, and T to the game, redefining success beyond wins and losses.

Great work, Pete, and welcome to the DFP alumni ranks!

#wfudocfilm #dfpgraduate #wfugrad #dfpalum

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sally, the beloved Brookstown Inn cat—and unofficial DFP mascot—has passed away.

We will all miss her parking lot hellos, her insistent meows to be let onto the 3rd floor, her classrooms visits —and, of course, her privileging us with the opportunity to pet her.

Our thoughts are with the @brookstowninn staff. Thank you for taking such good care of her and for so generously sharing her with us all these years.

We understand that Sally last visited the third floor Wednesday afternoon and spent several hours in the graduate school offices stretched out in the sun.

A fond and fitting way to remember her.
Rest in peace, Sally.

Thank you @southerndocfund, for an inspiring weekend of creative connection at the SDF Artist Convening!

DFP students, alums, and faculty joined storytellers from across the South to view moving films deeply rooted in the Southern experience and to get fresh insights on festival strategy, impact and distribution, public media partnerships, and creative collectives. A huge thank you to all the panel and roundtable participants: @carrborofilm, @cucalorus, @docaccountability, @hsdff, @itvsindies, @indiemediaartssouth, @filmshop_us, @kinemahq, @pbs, @mypbsnc, @povdocs, @prxofficial, , @reelsouthdocs, @seedandspark, @workingfilms

An incredible gathering of passionate and powerful Southern voices!

Already looking forward to next year!

#wfudocfilm #SouthernDocumentaryFund #SDFConvening #DocumentaryFilm #FilmmakerCommunity #SouthernStories

🎬✨ It’s our favorite night of the year! The Documentary Film Program proudly hosted our Spring 2025 Graduation Screening, celebrating our graduating filmmakers alongside their families, friends, and film participants.

We’re incredibly proud of this year’s filmmakers and their powerful work—each film exploring themes of community, connection, well-being, resilience, and new beginnings in its own unique way.

🎬AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE, Directed by Austin Price
🎬BETTER BRING YOUR FRIENDS, Directed by Louie Poore
🎬CROWNING GLORY, Directed by Parker Beverly
🎬DREAM DELIVERER, Directed by Meredith Hamm
🎬MOVING FORWARD, Directed by Matt Groce and Yuhang Zhao
🎬REEL CONVERSATIONS, Directed by Ryan Simmons

Although it did not screen at the event, we also want to recognize THE LAST HABITAT, directed by Kerui Zhang and Jingxuan Chen.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the graduates! A special shoutout to the Ms. Senior North Carolina pageant representatives for joining us and showing their appreciation for CROWNING GLORY—you truly added an extra touch of sparkle to the evening!

#wfudocfilm #wfugrad #gradscreening #wfualumni

🎬 Check this out! The Summer League Film Festival @summerleaguefilmfestival highlight reel features a DFP entry! 👏

At the 1:52 mark, you can catch a glimpse of DIALING SCOTTIE — a short film by Isaac Weinberg (MA ’25) @zickweinberg and Leo Geneser (MFA ’26).

👉 Watch here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIj_1BzSnxI/

In 2014, Bulls legend and NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen changed his phone number. Shortly after, George - a then 14-year-old middle school student with no ties to the Chicago Bulls or Scottie Pippen - unknowingly claimed Pippen`s old phone number. In the years following, George has had plenty of people reaching out to him looking for Pippen. DIALING SCOTTIE looks at the humorous and unexpected consequences of having the old phone number of an NBA Hall of Famer.

🎞️ The Summer League Film Festival runs July 17–19 during the 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas — where basketball meets culture, creativity, and cinema. 🏀🎥

#wfudocfilm #StudentFilm #DialingScottie #ScottiePippen #SummerLeague #FilmFestival #WakeForest

Congratulations to Meredith Hamm @mere__023 on successfully defending her MFA thesis film, DREAM DELIVERER! 👏

Imagine sleeping on the floor every night—cold, uncomfortable, and waking up groggy and unprepared for the day. This is the reality for an estimated 2 million children in the United States who lack a bed of their own.

DREAM DELIVERER follows Anneliese Wall @anneliesewall, founder of the Winston-Salem nonprofit “A Bed and A Book,” @abedandabook as she partners with local businesses, volunteers, and community organizations to deliver personalized beds and books to children in need. Having experienced bedlessness herself, Anneliese knows firsthand how a lack of sleep can impact a child’s learning, health, and well-being.

The film reveals how one woman’s mission to end this often overlooked crisis is helping children sleep better—and dream bigger—in Winston-Salem and beyond.

We are looking forward to screening the film during our graduation thesis showcase on Friday, May 16!📽🎓🎉

#wfudocfilm #wfugrad #wfudocalum

Congratulations to Matt Groce @groceghost and Yuhang “Jeremy” Zhao @yuh_z1999 on successfully defending their MFA thesis film!👏

MOVING FORWARD is an observational documentary short that follows farmer and winemaker Chris Denesha @deneshafarms of Plēb Urban Winery in Asheville, NC, as he challenges entrenched chemical farming practices and outdated perceptions of North Carolina wine. Through unfamiliar grapes grown and fermented using natural techniques, Chris strives to create an authentic “taste of place,” seeking to position Appalachia as a respected wine region.

However, when Hurricane Helene devastates Plēb’s production facility and tasting room, the film’s narrative shifts dramatically, grappling with themes of loss, resilience, ethical filmmaking, and the mounting impacts of climate change. Against the stunning backdrop of Western North Carolina, MOVING FORWARD captures one man’s unyielding passion for sustainable farming and the enduring spirit to rebuild in the face of an historic natural disaster.

We are looking forward to screening Matt and Jeremy`s film during our graduation thesis showcase on Friday, May 16!📽🎓🎉

#wfudocfilm #wfugrad #wfudocalum