MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
MAY 2026

Congratulations Class of 2026

Dear everyone: We are so proud of your academic, creative, and collaborative achievements. As you head out, we know you’ll use your experience and your art to change the world, seriously. You’ve got a network and communities, new energies and insights, and all kinds of reasons to believe in yourself: you have done an amazing thing. We look forward to seeing more of your wonderful work in the years to come.
Aania Aftab 
Kajwan Alavi 
Samir S. Alimov 
Riley Madison Ater 
Maja C. Bukhari 
Marlysse Isabella Calling 
Capaso Casino 
Rachel Ann Coleman 
Meghan Ally Colovos 
Justin Dodgion 
Marco Duran-Pimentel 
Mohamed Elhennaway 
KeAndre Aquarius Foster 
William A. Gonzalez 
Aidan Harris-Cross 
Jayson Arvell Hartsfield 
Jaiden Alexandria Hubbard 
Isabella Larkin Koontz 
Jackson S. Kraatz 
Branden E. Lee 
Rose Michelle Lomax 
Kalei Anne P. Marantan 
Natalia Melnikova 
Aidan Tyler Morris 
Mel S. Moya-Jaldin 
Patricia O'Shea 
Devin Lee Sanders 
Mikayla R. Scott 
Isaias A. Segui-Asad 
Chrysanna Emmanuella Sotos 
Palika Rae Sridurongrit 
Devin Patrick Sutphin 
Laila Manal-Sarah Tarbush 
Kevin H. Vu 
Carleigh Claire Williams 
Lars Yates
Left: Isabella Koontz showing cap design. Right: Graduation cap design by Meghan Colovos

Mason Film Festival 2026


Thank you to everyone who came out for the 2026 Mason Film Festival. This year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Film and Video Studies program (FAVS at 20) by welcoming our alumni back to campus. The Festival schedule offered a mix of anniversary events and student showcases, including a virtual alumni showcase, brunch, and roundtable discussion, as well as our student screenings. We are fortunate that we were also able to honor our donors with a special recognition presentation, as well as an awards ceremony where we announced the winners of our Emerging Filmmaker Awards and Academic Awards. Thank you to all who participated and to everyone who came out to celebrate our students and alumni. 
 
Congratulations to everyone who shared their work with us. Your films and, especially, your support for one another, are inspiring. We’re eager to see what comes next.  

The Festival is made possible because of the hard work of the Film at George Mason staff and faculty. We appreciate all of you. We also thank our Film at George Mason Advisory Board, FAVS alumni, and film community members who participated on our juries. 

Check out our Mason Film Festival event site for photos and more information about our amazing weekend. 

Watch highlights of the 2026 Mason Film Festival, featuring the Alumni Roundtable, Advanced Fiction Filmmaking Showcase Q&A, and more, on Mason Arts Amplified. 
Click the image above to watch.
Left: FAVS Class of 2026 receiving their senior pins during the
Mason Film Festival Awards Ceremony.
Right: Dean Rick Davis delivering opening remarks and honoring long-time
film program donors at the student showcase.

Film and Video Studies Alumni with Professors Ben Steger and Tommy Britt. Photo credit: James Bah

Thank You to
Film and Video Studies Supporters


Thank you to our Film and Video Studies supporters from 2025-2026 
(January 1, 2025, to May 9, 2026) 
 
Producer ($10,000+) 
Mary Sanders Jones 

Director ($5,000-$9,999) 
Lisa and Alan Zuccari 

Screenwriter ($2,500-$4,999) 
DC Camera 
Clara and John Kelly 
Willy Meaux 

Cinematographer ($1,000-$2,499) 
Candelario and Reyna Cortez 
Dr. Joy R. Hughes and Mr. Kenneth Lee 
Twig Murray and Harry Mahon 

 Supporting Role ($200-$499) 
Thomas Judge 

 Production Assistant (up to $199) 
William Hazzard 
Susan Kehoe 
Kiley Kraskouskas 
Mack and Paulette Miller 
Russell F. Santos

Summer Office Hours 

Over the summer, FAVS’ virtual office hours will be Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. You can reach us at film@gmu.edu. 

The Film Equipment Cage and Film and Video Studies Post-Production Labs (C100 and Cortez) are closed for the summer. You may access them by appointment only. Contact filmcage@gmu.edu (for Equipment Cage) or favslabs@gmu.edu (for Post-Production facilities) to schedule an appointment. 

Registration Reminder

Fall registration is ongoing. Below, please see some of the courses we’re offering. 
FAVS 320 Afrofuturism and Their Kin 
Wednesdays 1:30pm-4:10pm | INN 133 
Instructor: Professor Lenny Collins 

This course is an introduction to the cinematic genre of Afrofuturism, or Black Speculative culture, also exploring the sub-genre lenses of Black horror and fantasy. Reading science fiction, horror, fantasy, and other imaginative narrative tropes, we’ll consider how the myriad societal fears regarding race intersect with violence. We’ll engage philosophies around horror that analyze tensions between conjurings of ‘monstrosities’ and the ways in which racial identity is constructed and consumed.  As these artists re-envision the Black diasporic past, present, and future, they present alternative visions of the futures of blackness.
FAVS 375 Fiction Filmmaking 
Mondays 1:30pm-4:10pm | AB 1007 
Instructor: Professor Nikyatu Jusu

This course examines techniques for directing fiction films. Students study the directorial approaches of a variety of directors by viewing and critiquing classic films. Students learn about the director's role in each stage of film production. Students shoot, direct and edit fictional scenes and sequences intended to develop and convey the beginnings of the authorial signatures.  



Note: FAVS 375 is a controlled course, and permission is required to register. Please contact Professor Jusu at njusu@gmu.edu. 
FAVS 255 Film Production 
Multiple Sections and Instructors 

This course is a hands-on methods course in video production for film. Through practice, reading, film viewing, and discussions, students will be introduced to the art and activity of digital filmmaking across film genres. Multiple creative and collaborative assignments provide a range of filmmaking experiences. Open to all majors.  
FAVS 399 - Location Sound
Mondays 10:30am-1:10pm | AB 1007 
Professor Amanda Kraus

Great sound is the foundation of great filmmaking. In this hands-on course, students learn how to capture clean, professional-quality audio on location using industry-standard tools and techniques. From microphones and mixers to real-world problem-solving on set, this course builds the skills and confidence needed to elevate your storytelling through sound.
FAVS 260 - Video Editing for Film  
Multiple Sections | IN 233 
Professor Maura Ugarte  

This course instructs on the theories and technical expertise of film and video editing. Students will learn to use video editing software and tell stories. The course combines lectures, discussions, and demonstrations with hands-on projects. 

Staff Spotlight

We’re proud to note that on May 5, the Mason Arts Outstanding Achievement Awards
recognized the following Film and Video Studies staff: 
Sam Sinagra received the Mentorship Award, which recognizes an employee with 5+ years of service who demonstrates exceptional knowledge and service. This person provides consistent guidance and support across the college, generously sharing expertise and fostering a sense of belonging.  
Melanie Smedira received the Technical Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding technical skills, expertise, and problem-solving abilities. This employee improves systems, processes, or services in ways that strengthen instruction, exhibitions, productions, or operations. 
Congratulations!
Learn more about the CVPA awards and watch the ceremony here. 

Faculty Accomplishment


Professor Abir Abyad presented her Dissertation Proposal on May 7 (Cultural Studies).

Congratulations!

Alumni Achievements


Rhyan Elliott's (’20) latest project, the Ira Sachs-directed musical drama The Man I Love, had a successful premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 10-minute standing ovation. Rhyan served as the Production Supervisor for the film. 

Read more here.
Tony Marquez’s (‘12) film, Sundown, was selected to screen at the New York City Independent Film Festival. The film screened on Tuesday, June 2nd, at 8:15 PM at The Producers Club, and was featured as part of “Shorts Block 1.”

For more information, visit the New York City Independent Film Festival website. 

Film Opportunities and Resources   


Festival Submissions:
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We want to hear from you! If you have news you would like to contribute, please send it to film@gmu.edu. We are looking for regional film events and updates from Film at George Mason alumni. Keep up-to-date on all the current Film at George Mason news at film.gmu.edu.

Film and Video Studies
College of Visual and Performing Arts
4400 University Dr. MSN 5D8
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-993-3287 | film@gmu.edu
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