Films by University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) students have earned a record 13 nominations for the 2026 Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Student Production Awards, the highest number of nominations the school has received in a single year. The nominations recognize thesis films created by TFTV Film & Television seniors in the Class of 2026, which premiered in May at the School’s annual I Dream in Widescreen student film showcase.
The nominations recognize TFTV student work across eight categories, including directing, writing, editing, cinematography, short- and long-form fiction, performance and sound.
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.
Kaitlyn Liddicoat, whose film Rebranding Bob received three nominations, said the recognition reflects the collaborative effort behind her production.
“It’s an honor to be nominated alongside my fellow talented colleagues and to represent the University of Arizona at the NATAS Rocky Mountain Emmys,” said Liddicoat. “I want to extend my thanks to my amazing cast and crew whose work on Rebranding Bob made the film possible, to the College of Fine Arts School of Theatre, Film & Television for its constant support, and to my friends and family who always believed in me. I am very grateful for our work to be acknowledged with these nominations and look forward to celebrating with my classmates and fellow nominees at the awards ceremony!”
Logan Tyler Hall, a senior majoring in Live and Screened Performance, is excited to be nominated for his performance in Clinton Willis’s film Be Still, Boone. The film features acclaimed actor and TFTV alum Craig T. Nelson (Parenthood, Coach, The Incredibles) as a cowboy haunted by past regrets, with Hall portraying the character in his younger years.
“I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such amazing artists as Clinton Willis and Craig T. Nelson,” says Hall. “Being able to support Clinton’s vision and to co-star with Craig T. Nelson was such an honor. Being part of this film was a highlight in a program that is incredibly supportive of the creative work of both film and theatre students.”
The TFTV nominations include:
They Wait
Best Director — David J. Aberle
Best Writer — David J. Aberle
Best Fiction – Long Form — David J. Aberle, Director
Best Audio/Sound — Michael Staggers, Sound Designer
Rebranding Bob
Best Director — Kaitlyn Liddicoat
Best Writer — Kaitlyn Liddicoat
Best Editor — David J. Aberle
Be Still, Boone
Best Director — Clinton Willis
Best Fiction – Long Form — Clinton Willis, Director
Best Talent – Performer — Logan Tyler Hall
A Tale Most Fowl
Best Fiction – Short Form — Elias Rice Bensch, Director
The Exchange Rate
Best Cinematography — Sean Leeman
Vein
Best Audio/Sound — Mia Trachy, Sound Designer
The 2026 nominations build on strong recent recognition for TFTV students at the NATAS Student Production Awards. In 2025, TFTV students earned six awards across categories including Best Writer, Best Director, Best Editor, Best Audio/Sound, Best Photographer and Best Fiction Short Form.
The 2026 awards ceremony will take place in Phoenix on Sept. 19 and will bring together student filmmakers from colleges and universities across Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and southeastern California to celebrate their achievements in television and film production.