UKY Student Film Festival celebrates 10 years, launches new educational workshops

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 20, 2025) — The University of Kentucky recently celebrated a decade of student creativity with the 10th annual UKY Student Film Festival, held at the Worsham Cinema in the Gatton Student Center.

What began in 2015 as a grassroots student film showcase has grown into the university’s premier student filmmaking event — screening more than 200 films over the last 10 years.

“In 2015, I helped produce a short film with Alex Cassidy and a group of students called ‘SEED.’ We created a showcase to share our work, because nothing like it existed,” said Eric Sanders, co-founder and UK alumnus. “Now, 10 years later, it’s a full festival celebrating the creative voices of students across campus.”

2025 festival highlights

The 2025 festival was sponsored by Creator Cats, a student organization that connects film production enthusiasts across disciplines.

This year, 21 films were submitted by students enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year. Finalists were selected by a review committee and judged by local media professionals on five criteria: visual elements, audible elements, story, performances and overall quality.

The awards, sponsored by Courage Media, included Best Narrative Fiction, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Experimental/Art Film, Honorable Mention and Audience Choice.

“Her Last Song” won Best Narrative Film. Directed by media arts and studies major Sofia Ceccarello, the film featured powerful performances by theater majors Audrey Niehaus and Ben Ingram, whose emotional portrayals anchored the story.

“The Creation Of: Falling Colors” won Best Documentary. The documentary, by media arts and studies major Jordan Williams, explores an innovative interdisciplinary course in which three professors — experts in fiber art, digital media and environmental design — guide students in creating a large-scale public installation.

The full list of winners are as follows: 

• Best Narrative Fiction: “Her Last Song” (Sofia Ceccarello, media arts and studies)
• Best Documentary: “The Creation of Falling Colors” (Jordan Williams, media arts and studies)
• Best Animation: “We Resisted Fiercely” (Charlotte Lawson, digital media and design)
• Best Experimental / Art Film: “The Third Funeral” (Luke Stone, media arts and studies)
• Honorable Mention: “Echos of Doubt” (Samech Godhasdoneit, media arts and studies)
• Audience Choice: “Prismatic” (Khushi Arora, public health)

In a special moment, Kirk Laird, longtime manager of UK’s Media Depot and co-founder of the festival, received the inaugural “Friend of the Festival” award for his decade of unwavering support for student filmmakers.

“For the last 11 years I have managed the Media Depot and had the pleasure to work with many extremely talented and creative students. It’s been a joy to watch those students grow. And I’m continually impressed with what they create every single year,” Laird said. “Hopefully we can continue to expand this event, because I’ve seen the positive impact it has on students. What I want the students to understand is, this festival is for them — I hope they feel that.” 

Workshops continue a decade of filmmaking

This year’s celebration expanded beyond the silver screen with the launch of the inaugural UKY Film Festival Workshops — a new educational initiative hosted by the College of Communication and Information (CI), the College of Fine Arts, Smart Campus, InCahoots and the UKY Film Festival team.

Held at CI’s new Downtown Studio, the workshops provided hands-on training led by industry professionals. Outfitted with state-of-the-art technology — including a 24-foot LED wall used for real-time visual demonstrations — the studio was transformed into an immersive, dynamic classroom environment.

The three interactive sessions included:

• Screenwriting (with Alexie Basil, CEO of Young Screenwriters)
• Portrait Lighting for Film (with Robert Tipton, owner of Media Collaboratory)
• Scene Blocking and Camera Movement (with Cinematographer Tim Obeck and Certified Steadicam Operator Isaac Harrison)

“I'm so glad I attended the workshop. I learned a lot,” Audrey Niehaus, a senior majoring in theater, said. “I think it was incredibly valuable to meet people in the industry, and I hope more students can take advantage of similar opportunities in the future.”

To view this year’s films or learn more about future events and workshops, visit www.ukyfilmfestival.org.