The Department of Film and Media Arts in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) is proud to announce the recipients of the Bryan Buckley Film Production Award. This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional student filmmakers in the department’s bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) and master of fine arts (M.F.A.) film programs who demonstrate outstanding vision, creative innovation and technical excellence.

The award is made possible through the generous support of acclaimed film director and VPA alumnus Bryan Buckley ’85, whose commitment to nurturing emerging filmmaking talent provides invaluable opportunities for the next generation of storytellers in the department’s film programs.

B.F.A. and M.F.A. film students were invited to submit projects for consideration. Film faculty members evaluated each project based on conceptual skills, critical thinking, vision, aesthetic quality, thematic engagement, creative innovation, feasibility and structural clarity. After a final faculty vote, the following students received honors:

M.F.A. Category

• First Place: DaSol Park G’26
• Second Place: Emily Rogers G’28
• Third Place: Jack Auger G’27

B.F.A. Category

• First Place: Katherine Pearcy ’26
• Second Place: Megan Jensen ’26
• Third Place: Ella Tromblee ’26

“These students’ projects demonstrate strong conceptual and critical skills, compelling and unique vision and aesthetically captivating approaches that embrace creative innovation,” says Alex Mendez Giner, associate professor and film program coordinator. “This recognition reflects the high regard the film faculty holds for their work.”