Four senior thesis films and seven students from the School of Theatre, Film & Television have been nominated for the 2024 Rocky Mountain Southwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Student Production Awards. The nominees include both Film & Television and Acting/Musical Theatre students.
Best known for the Emmy® Awards, NATAS presents the Student Production Awards annually to recognize outstanding achievement in production and to shine a light on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news and informational achievements by undergraduate college students.
“I’m so excited are students are continuing to be recognized for the work they do in our program,” says Film & Television Production Professor Jacob Bricca. “Our students’ continued success on the festival circuit and in awards competitions shows the high level of craftsmanship that we expect—and that they achieve. We love working with our students regardless of the outcome, but it’s all the more sweet when their films get to play on a national stage.”
The nominees for the 2024 awards include:
Category: College Fiction – Long Form
Film: OUT OF THE BOX
Nominees: Rene Marcelle (BFA, ’24), Tatiana Hernandez (BFA, ’23), and Sophia Harrigan (BA, ’25)
Category: College Editor
Film: IN THE MARKET
Nominee: Preston Kersting (BFA, ’24)
Category: College Photographer
Film: DEAR ADDIE
Nominee: Tatum Sailors (BFA, ’24)
Category: College Talent Performer
Film: OUT OF THE BOX
Nominee: James Carroll (BFA, ’25)
Category: College Talent Performer
Film: SOMETHING BLUE
Nominee: Haiden Pederson (BFA, ’25)
In the Market director Preston Kersting reflects on the nomination: “It’s amazing to be a nominee at this year’s Student Production Awards alongside 6 of my fellow classmates. Having seen all of our projects come to fruition over the past year has been an invaluable experience, and I am so excited for the opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments. As a nominee in the editing category, I want to thank Professor Skyler and Professor Bricca for their very insightful feedback with every edit made and for encouraging me to make my film the best it could be!”
Rising musical theatre senior Haiden Pederson, who played a leading role in Something Blue, added: “I am beyond ecstatic to receive an Acting nomination alongside James Carroll, and I can’t wait to attend the awards ceremony and share this experience with my fellow U of A nominees. This nomination would not be possible without the visionary guidance from Something Blue’s director Fiona Paskoff and performance co-director Lisitte Mora. Their love, honesty, and commitment to this family drama depicting the special bonds between generations of women was nothing short of inspirational for my process. The cast and crew were a joy to work with – I accept this nomination knowing that there were many hands that went into making this film possible.”
The awards ceremony will take place in Phoenix on September 21. More information can be found on the Rocky Mountain Emmys website.