The 2024 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards took place this past weekend, and the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) had a record showing with 7 nominees across multiple categories and 3 award wins. Several senior thesis films garnered awards for TFTV students in the categories of Editing, Cinematography, and Performance.
Recognizing outstanding student achievement in production, the NATAS Student Production Awards are intended as an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence by those studying media and journalism and to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news and informational achievements by college students across Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Southern California.
TFTV’s 2024 nominees and award winners
Category: College Fiction – Long Form
Film: Out of the Box by Rene Marcelle
Nominees: Rene Marcelle (BFA, ’24), Tatiana Hernandez (BFA, ’23), and Sophia Harrigan (BA, ’25)
Category: College Editor
Film: In the Market by Preston Kersting
Award Winner: Preston Kersting (BFA, ’24)
Category: College Photographer
Film: Dear Addie by Tatum Sailors
Award Winner: Tatum Sailors (BFA, ’24)
Category: College Talent Performer
Film: Out of the Box by Rene Marcelle
Nominee: James Carroll (BFA, ’25)
Category: College Talent Performer
Film: Something Blue by Fiona Paskoff
Award Winner: Haiden Pederson (BFA, ’25)
Present for the event were Musical Theatre seniors Haiden Pederson and James Kelley Carroll, Tatiana Hernandez (BFA Film & Television, ’23), who represented the production team behind Out of the Box, and Preston Kersting (BFA, Film & Television ’24).
“I had a blast at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Student Productions Awards!” says Editing award-winner Preston Kersting (pictured right). “It feels so great to have my work recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and I was ecstatic to celebrate the accomplishment with the other nominees from TFTV. A huge thank you again to Professors Lisanne Skyler and Jacob Bricca and External Relations Director Kerryn Negus for all of their support and encouragement throughout the process.”
On winning the College Talent Performer award, Haiden Pederson (pictured left) said “I want to emphasize that this award not only credits my work for Something Blue, but the efforts and creativity of Directors Fiona Paskoff/Lisette Mora, as well as the entire cast and crew of the project. This story holds so much love and hope for a woman facing a pivotal decision in life, and I’m honored that it has been recognized by the NATAS Student Production Awards as such. It takes a village to make something this special, so I share this award with every single person who helped it along the way.”
Following graduation and signing with Zero Gravity Management, cinematography award-winner Tatum Sailors watched the ceremony from her new base in Los Angeles. “I am beyond grateful that my cinematography for Dear Addie was recognized this weekend at the SPAs,” she said. “I had such a blast making this project with so many talented individuals – special thanks to my amazing Grip & Electric and Camera team for all of your hard work making this vision come to life!”
