Find Your Filmmaking Home
With an established track record of success in documentary film production and education, the Documentary Film Program at Wake Forest University offers you two graduate degree options:
A Home to Award-Winning Student Work
Diverse in both content and style, our award-winning student thesis films offer powerful stories on the human experiences at the center of a wide range of social and cultural issues. Experience the depth, breadth, and creativity of our student films by watching the clip below and reading more here.
A Home to Documentary Film Experts
The Documentary Film Program (DFP) is not only the home to full-time faculty members with decades of industry experience! The DFP is proud to have accomplished visiting filmmakers every semester that offer students education in the latest industry knowledge and trends. Learn more about current and past program visitors.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are interested in learning more about the program, please enter your name and email address and we will reach out soon.
Latest News
- Sheridan Returns as Judge for Journalism Awards
Professor of Practice Chris Sheridan recently served as a judge for the 72nd Annual Scripps Howard National Journalism awards – one of the most distinguished journalism awards in […] - Celebrating Hoop Dreams!
It was an amazing night for the Documentary Film Program as we celebrated the groundbreaking documentary Hoop Dreams and colleague Peter Gilbert. The film’s participants […] - A Hoop Dreams Celebration
The Documentary Film Program and Get in the Game invite you to a special event honoring the 30th Anniversary of Hoop Dreams, a groundbreaking […] - Alumni Screening Showcase
We are looking forward to the DFP Alumni Showcase screening of We Are, Because We Were, directed by Rodney Wilds (MFA ’23) on Tuesday, February 18 […]
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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
Congratulations to our Spring 2025 MFA graduates-- Parker Beverly, Jingxuan Chen, Matt Groce, Meredith Hamm, Louie Poore, Austin Price, Ryan Simmons, Kerui Zhang and Yuhang Zhao!👏
It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to witness your growth as storytellers — from your first idea to your final frame. We’re so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you next.
Welcome to the DFP alumni family! 🌟
#dfpgraduates #MFA2025 #wfudocfilm #dfpalum
🎬✨ 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
Congratulations to Emily Allgair (MFA ’26) @emilyallgair, Annabelle Daly (MA ’25) @anniedalyy, and William Teets (MA ’25) @wcteets on their Wake Screens wins!👏
Emily won the graduate division Spotlight Award for SHOWTIME, and Annabelle & William took home the Jury Award for MINDGAME.
Big shoutout to undergraduate division winners:
🎬Kathrine Kiersted (’25), recipient of the Jury Award for REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO…
🎬Zimo Xu (’25), recipient of the Spotlight Award for PHOTO DUMP.
Thanks to the Communication Department @wakecomm for hosting and professors Cagney Gentry @cagneygentry and Alex Klein @alexavrilklein for organizing this amazing event celebrating student films from across campus!
#wakescreens #wfudocfilm #wakethearts #wfugradschool
Wrapping up our RiverRun International Film Festival @riverrunfilm highlights with a huge thank you to Rosemary Rotondi @rosemaryarotondi and DFP alum Monica Berra @mmberra!👏
Their archival storytelling panel was packed with insight, expertise, and inspiring stories of favorite finds. We loved hearing how archival material can truly transform a documentary.
We’re already excited for what RiverRun will bring next year!🙌
Thank you @robdavis281 for the photo!
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 2nd year MFA student Alissa Simone @sageandroses_20 on her RiverRun International Film Festival @riverrunfilm PitchFest win! 👏🏆
We are incredibly proud of the outstanding pitch presentations delivered by Alissa and 1st year MFA student Naz Sayari Marcum @nazsayarimarcum at this year’s PitchFest.
Sincere thanks to the judges — Monica Berra @mmberra, Andrew Harrison Brown @andrewhbrown, and Rosemary Rotondi @rosemaryarotondi — for offering thoughtful feedback and guidance to all of the pitch participants. 🙌
#wfudocfilm #wakethearts #riverrunfilmfestival #documentarypitching
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
