Congratulations to Parker Beverly @parker_on_pointe on successfully defending her MFA thesis film!👏

😊Now, you might be wondering… why the tiara? Read on:

What do a retired principal, semi-pro golfer, insurance agent, and founding member of Homeland Security have in common? The dream of winning a crown. CROWNING GLORY follows four women on their journey to be crowned Ms. Senior America 2024. But this is more than a pageant film. Beneath the sequins and stage lights, this film goes deeper, tapping into their motivations for joining the competition.

Whether it`s finding joy after loss, chasing a girlhood dream, or just proving people wrong, these women are not just rewriting the narrative on aging — they`re reclaiming their purpose. CROWNING GLORY is a sparkling reminder that every woman deserves her time in the spotlight no matter the decade.

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

#wfudocfilm #wfugrad #wfudocgrad

Congratulations to Jingxuan Chen and Kerui Zhang on the successful defense of their MFA thesis film, THE LAST HABITAT!👏

With fewer than 20 red wolves remaining in the wild—primarily in eastern North Carolina—THE LAST HABITAT explores how a network of scientists, wildlife facilities, government agencies, and nonprofits is collaborating to protect and grow the population and reintroduce the species to its natural environment.

#wfudocfilm #wfugrad #dfpalum #wildlifedocumentary

🎬 TODAY at @riverrunfilm with the DFP!

📍 STUDENT PITCHFEST
🕛 12:00 PM | 🎟 FREE | HANESBRANDS THEATRE

Come support Alissa Simone & Naz Sayari Marcum as they pitch in the 14th Annual Student PitchFest! 👏

Watch student filmmakers pitch their doc ideas to a jury for feedback + 💰 prizes.

Thinking of pitching next year? This is your sneak peek. The competition also features students from: App State, UNC Asheville, UNC Wilmington, & UNCSA

🗂️ THE ART & IMPACT OF ARCHIVAL RESEARCH
🕓 4:00 PM | 🎟 FREE | HANESBRANDS THEATRE

A conversation with Rosemary Rotondi @rosemaryarotondi (Master of Cinema) & Monica Berra @mmberra (Spark Award honoree + DFP alum!)
🎤 Moderated by DFP Teaching Professor Cara Pilson

From ATTICA to A CHOICE OF WEAPONS, learn how archival researchers/producers uncover the material that shapes unforgettable stories.

📍Both events are FREE and open to all. Don’t miss it!

#RiverRun2025 #wfudocfilm #DocumentaryFilm #StudentPitchFest #ArchivalResearch #SupportStudentFilmmakers #BehindTheScenes #WomenInDoc #DocLife

Kick off your DFP RiverRun International Film Festival @riverrunfilm weekend with a screening of AMERICAN DREAM NO MORE, directed by 1st-year MFA student Naz Sayari Marcum @nazsayarimarcum The film will screen this evening at 5:30 at Hanesbrands Theatre.

From his upbringing in the Jim Crow South to his time at Harvard, Deon—a Native American college professor—reflects on the challenges and victories of growing up Lumbee in a world that too often failed to fully see him. The film explores systemic inequities while celebrating the strength and richness of cultural identity.

AMERICAN DREAM NO MORE screens as part of NC Shorts Program Three: A Student Perspective, which also includes the following work from students at UNC-Chapel Hill @uncchapelhill and the UNC School of the Arts @uncsafilm

📽HEART CRACKED OPEN
DIRECTOR: Emily Gibson Rhyne
Occaneechi-Saponi activist Crystal Cavalier and her family fight to protect sacred places in their ancestral homeland from fossil fuel development. This intimate portrait of family, resilience, and defiance chronicles their fight to protect Mother Earth and reclaim an identity all but erased by centuries of discrimination.

📽HEART OF THE CITY
DIRECTOR: WIll Harvest
A cinematic portrait of five Winston-Salem locals on the street, as they share a lifetime of wisdom from struggle.

📽THE LACK OF IT
DIRECTORS: KONTRA9 KOLLEKTIV
Sherita drives for a social transportation service in Winston-Salem. Tina works for the local transit authority and made it her mission to keep the memory of a black-owned transportation company alive that was once the biggest of its kind: Safe Bus. Between past and present, the two women uncover a story of segregation and empowerment, community and mobility, and shed light on structural racism that is still present.

📽TUTTLE
Director: Evan Daniel
TUTTLE is a poignant documentary that follows the journey of 22-year-old Connor Tuttle as he grapples with the aftermath of an incident involving his mother’s abuser.

📅 APRIL 18, 5:30 PM
📍 HANESBRANDS THEATRE (W-S)
🎫 For tickets and more info: riverrunfilm.com

#wfudocfilm #wakethearts #riverrunfilm #studentfilmmakers

🌱 Watching a documentary about working in harmony with nature is the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day!🌎

@mypbsnc North Carolina is offering multiple opportunities to catch CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOIL, a thesis film by 2021 MFA graduate Brandon Gaesser @goodnaturedfilms. The film explores the life beneath our feet and highlights the efforts of North Carolina farmers Suzanne Nelson and Rachel Herrick as they work to rehabilitate farm soil ecosystems through regenerative farming practices.

📺 CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOIL will air on PBS North Carolina on the following dates:

🌿Monday, April 21, 9:30 PM
🌿Tuesday, April 22, 2:00 AM
🌿Tuesday, April 22, 9:30 AM
🌿Tuesday, April 22, 4:30 PM

Congratulations Brandon on the continued success of your thesis film!👏

#wfudocfilm #earthday2025 #goodnaturedfilms #wakethearts

🎬 We’re excited for the Wednesday night screening of THE EASY KIND at the RiverRun International Film Festival @riverrunfilm!

Directed by Katy Chevigny (E-Team, Election Day) mightychevs and produced by DFP Professor of Practice Peter Gilbert @pmgilbs, this hybrid film is a rollicking, music-driven journey starring, and inspired by, Nashville singer Elizabeth Cook @elizabethcookforsheriff as she breaks through the constraints of country music to become the artist she`s meant to be.

Also featuring performances by RiverRun 2023 Master of Cinema Karen Allen @karenallenofficial, Melissa Jackson @themelissajackson, Charles Esten @charlesesten and David Letterman @letterman.

🎤 Stick around after the screening for a Q&A with filmmaker Katy Chevigny, star Elizabeth Cook, and co-star Marshall Chapman @marshallchapmanmusic!

🗓️ April 16 | 7:00 PM
📍 Marketplace Cinemas, Winston-Salem
🎟️ Tickets & info: riverrunfilm.com

#wfudocfilm #riverrun #theeasykind #wakethearts

🎉 Congratulations to Rachel Kuehn (MA ’25) @rachel_kuehn_ on successfully defending her thesis film, NO STRAIGHT PATH! 👏

The film follows Emilia Migliaccio, @emiliadoran a golf prodigy who spent her life training to go pro—until she chose a different course. NO STRAIGHT PATH tells the compelling story of Emilia’s decision to step away from competitive golf and pivot toward a career in golf broadcasting all while she and her teammates led Wake Forest @demondeacons to its first-ever NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

We’ll miss Rachel at our graduation screening, but we’re cheering her on as she competes on the Epson Tour @epsontour —the official qualifying tour of the LPGA!⛳🏌️‍♀️

#wfudocfilm #wfugrad #demondeacons #ncaawomensgolf #epsontour

🎬 We`re kicking off the opening night of the RiverRun International Film Festival @riverrunfilm by introducing our DFP jurors!

Meet 2nd Year MFA students Parker Beverly @parker_on_pointe (left) and Christine Dudley @chrelidud (right). Parker is serving on the Doc Shorts jury, while Christine is lending her voice to the Doc Features jury. With the powerful lineup of documentary films in this year`s festival, they’ve got their work cut out for them!

Begin your RiverRun documentary viewing journey with tonight`s opening night feature SALLY RIDE @sallyrideofficial — the compelling story of America’s first woman in space, told through the eyes of her life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy.

📍 Reynolds Theatre
🕢 7:30 p.m.
🎟️ Get your tickets at RiverRunFilm.com

#wfudocfilm #RiverRun2025 #DFP #DocJurors #SallyRide #DocumentaryFilm #WomenInFilm #WomenInSpace

Congratulations to Louie Poore (MFA ’25) on successfully defending his thesis film, “Better Bring Your Friends”! 👏

Against the backdrop of the increasingly popular world of running clubs, “Better Bring Your Friends” follows two runners setting out to tackle big races in search of redemption, self-discovery, and community. With the help and support of their friends, they’ll attempt to overcome loss, adversity, and natural disasters as they reach for new levels of physical performance.

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

#wfudocfilm #dfpgraduate #wfugrad

🎬 Meet our 2025 RiverRun International Film Festival PitchFest Competitors!

We’re thrilled to cheer on Alissa Simone (MFA `25) @sageandroses_20 and Naz Sayari Marcum (MFA `26) @nazsayarimarcum as they represent the DFP at the 14th Annual PitchFest!

📽️ PitchFest is a unique opportunity for student documentary filmmakers to pitch their films to a panel of industry jurors for valuable feedback—and a shot at cash prizes.

🏫 Participating schools include:
Appalachian State University, UNC Asheville, UNC Wilmington, UNC School of the Arts, and Wake Forest.

🎤 Special Guest Judges: Monica Berra @mmberra, Andrew H. Brown @andrewhbrown, and Rosemary Rotondi @rosemaryarotondi

🙌 Come out and support Alissa and Naz!

📍 Hanesbrands Theatre
📅 Saturday, April 19
🕛 12:00 p.m.
🎟️ Free tickets at RiverRunFilm.com

#wfudocfilm #riverrunfilm #wakethearts #wfugrad #pitchfest

🎬 The DFP hard at work at the launch party of the 27th Annual RiverRun International Film Festival! Follow our lead and explore the 175 films from 33 countries screening at this year’s festival and book your tickets now!

📅 The festival @riverrunfilm runs from April 11 – 19.

Stay tuned for more posts highlighting how DFP students and faculty are involved in this year’s festival lineup!

🎟️ For all the details and to book your tickets, visit riverrunfilm.com!

#wfudocfilm #wakethearts #riverrunfilm #wfugrad

What a meaningful and magical night celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic film HOOP DREAMS!  🎬🏀👏
 
Much like the film itself, basketball served as the entry point for a conversation centered on the importance of family, community, and a willingness to approach life with an open mind and heart. It was a true privilege to witness the bond forged between HOOP DREAMS stars William Gates and Arthur Agee @mr.hoopdreams, and the film’s producer and director of cinematography Peter Gilbert @pmgilbs
 
A huge thank you to: 
 
🏀DFP Creative Director Peter Gilbert, DFP Program Director Chris Zaluski @chriszaluski, and MA Program Coordinator Chris Sheridan @cjsheridan22 for organizing this special event. 
 
🏀National Sports Media Association Executive Director Dave Goren @davegoren1 for moderating such a powerful conversation. 
 
🏀WFU Head Baseball Coach @wakebaseball and Get in the Game @gitg4change founder Tom Walter for joining the discussion and offering insights into how college sports have evolved since the film’s release and the important role coaches play in athletes` lives. 

🏀DFP MA students Nyja Cauley and Pete Tkac for lending their talents to the organizing and promotion efforts.
 
🏀And, of course, a massive thank you to our incredible audience for showing up and celebrating this legendary film and the lasting impact it continues to have. 
 
We couldn’t have done this without the support of Get in the Game @gitg4change, The Humanities Institute @wfuhumanities, Wake the Arts @wakethearts, The Program for Leadership & Character @leadershipandcharacter, LAM Anthropology Museum @lammuseum and the Communication Department  @wakecomm.
 
#wfudocfilm #wakethearts #hoopdreams30thanniversary

The Documentary Film Program and Get In the Game @gitg4change invite you to a special event honoring the 30th Anniversary of HOOP DREAMS, a groundbreaking film hailed by Roger Ebert as “the great American documentary” on Wednesday, March 19th at 6:00 p.m. at the Porter Byrum Welcome Center. 🏀📽👏

The film, produced by DFP Creative Director Peter Gilbert @pmgilbs, follows the lives of two basketball players from inner-city Chicago, Arthur Agee @mr.hoopdreams and William Gates, as they navigate the journey from middle school to high school to big time college basketball.

Agee, Gates, and Gilbert will join moderator Dave Goren @davegoren1 in a candid, revealing conversation on the making of the film, the issues it tackles, and the resonance it holds 30 years later. The three will share their favorite parts of the film and discuss how the film helped shape and advance the conversation of race and sport in America – a conversation we are still navigating today.

A reception will follow the event.

Thank you to our event sponsors! Humanities Institute @wfuhumanities, Wake The Arts @wakethearts, Program for Leadership & Character @leadershipandcharacter, LAM Anthropology Museum @lammuseum, and the Communication Department.

We look forward to seeing you there!

#wfudocfilm #getinthegamelivethegamechangethegame #wakethearts #leadershipandcharacter #wfuhumanities #lammuseum #wfugrad #hoopdreams

Start your week off right with a powerful screening! Make plans to attend SICK-AMOUR: A LOVE STORY, directed by Art Professor Joel Tauber @joel.tauber on Monday at 5:30 at Scales Fine Arts Center, Room 102. 🌳SICK-AMOUR: A LOVE STORY (2024) celebrates the forlorn and lonely Tree that Joel Tauber adopts in the middle of a giant parking lot in front of the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

The 77-minute documentary—which was filmed over the course of 18 years—paints a multi-faceted portrait of the Tree via a series of interviews with experts in different fields while it chronicles Tauber’s efforts to improve the Tree’s life.

Don`t miss this moving story of devotion, nature, and resilience. 🌱
A reception will follow the screening in the Scales lobby.

#wfudocfilm #wakethearts

📽️ Join us for the DFP Alumni Showcase!

We’re excited to present WE ARE, BECAUSE WE WERE, a documentary directed by Rodney Wilds (MFA ’23), on Tuesday, February 18, at 6:00 p.m. in the ZSR Auditorium.

This 40-minute film takes viewers on a journey through the Winston-Salem African American Archive, highlighting the vital contributions of the Black community to the city’s growth and the archive’s mission to preserve this rich history.

✨ Stay after the screening for a special Q&A with director Rodney Wilds, film participants and members of the Winston-Salem African American Archive.

📅 Save the date and join us for an evening of storytelling, history, and community!

#winstonsalemafricanamericanarchive #wfudocfilm #wakethearts #wfugrad #blackhistorymonth