Uncategorized Archive

Brandon Gaesser (MFA ‘21) brings his award-winning film, Chicken Soup for the Soil, to the Wake Washington Center on Tuesday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m. for a screening and panel discussion.   Chicken Soup for the Soil follows the journey of two North Carolina regenerative farmers, Rachel Herrick of Slow Farm and Suzanne Nelson Karreman of Reverence Farms, as they work to rehabilitate […]

Congratulations to current MFA student Sidney Beeman on her acceptance to the 2022-23 Appalshop Film Cohort!  The Film Cohort is made up of a talented group of twelve emerging filmmakers from across Appalachia. The goal of the program is to empower and uplift a new generation of filmmakers by connecting them with funding sources, a robust network […]

Alum visits and screenings are always a highlight of the semester!  We are looking forward to DFP alum and Calvin University Assistant Professor of Film and Media, Sam Smartt’s (MFA ’13) return to campus.  Sam will host a screening of his latest film, Luminous. The film tells the story of Astronomy Professor Larry Molnar who believes he can find […]

We are delighted to announce that 2nd year MFA student Allison Rieff will be working as a production intern with Firelight Films & Media this fall. Founded by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, Firelight produces documentary films and develops strategies, partnerships, and materials to reach and engage diverse audiences. Firelight productions have garnered multiple Primetime Emmy, […]

Congratulations to Brandon Gaesser (MFA ’21) on his recent festival wins!  Gaesser’s thesis film Chicken Soup for the Soil won Best Short Ag Documentary at the Ag and Art Film Festival in Vacaville, California. It also took home Best Student Short and a $1,000 cash prize at Beyond: The Cary Film Festival in Cary, North Carolina.

We love it when we see familiar names in the list of Emmy nominees!  Congratulations to David Cassidy, Cabin Creek Films Senior Producer and DFP part time professor, and to DFP alum Monica Berra (MFA ’16) on their 2022 News & Documentary Emmy nominations! Berra served as archival producer on A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by […]

Check out this feature in the Winston-Salem Journal on Associate Teaching Professor Chris Zaluski. The article highlights the success of his latest film, Theirs Is the Kingdom, and his path to becoming a documentary filmmaker.  

We are excited to announce that Professor Chris Zaluski’s film, Theirs is the Kingdom, will makes its broadcast premiere on PBS stations around the country.  Screenings will begin on select stations in late March, leading to a national World Channel broadcast on Easter Sunday (April 17) at 12:30 EST. At the intersection of poverty and […]

Proper Pronouns is halfway through its southern tour! The film, by Meg Daniels and Manie Robinson (MFA ’19), is one of 10 films selected for the 2021-2022 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. This long-running South Arts program connects US-based documentary filmmakers with communities throughout the South to share their work, discuss the art and […]

  We wish Brent Kirkland the best of luck as he represents the DFP in RiverRun’s Virtual Pitch Fest Competition.  Brent is pitching Keghead’s Last Ride, a film that follows a long time beer delivery man as he, and the Reno, Nevada community he serves, reflect on and adapt to his career change. Told through the […]