University of Central Arkansas

Salam “Sam” Abaza
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Sam graduated from the University of Arkansas Little Rock in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio, Television and Film. He also attended Henderson State University where he achieved his Associates of Arts Degree. Sam hopes to contribute in a positive way to the film industry.



Bryan Allen
Hometown: Blytheville, Arkansas

Bryan graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Digital Filmmaking and a minor in History in 2008. He graduated with Honors from Arkansas Northeastern College with an Associates of Arts Degree in 2006. He was honored with the Best Music Video Award at the 2007 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival for Young Bride and Nominated Best Cinematography for Gunslinger’s Lament at the 2008 48 Hour Film Festival in Little Rock, Arkansas,. He was a member of the screening committee for the 18th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and is a current member of the University Film and Video Association. He attended the 2009 UFVA Conference in New Orleans. He plans to teach at the university level in digital filmmaking and continue to work on his personal projects. 

Lesley Allen
Hometown: Jackson, Missouri

Lesley graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Digital Filmmaking and a minor in History. She graduated with Honors from Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville, Arkansas with an Associates of Arts Degree in 2006. Lesley has been honored with the following awards: The Leadership Award from the 2009 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival, Best Producer for Headphones: an electro musical from the 2008 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival, Best Music Video for Young Bride from the 2007 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival, received the Transfer Scholarship in 2006, received a Graduate Assistantship in 2008, and was listed on the National Dean’s List. She was the Director of the 18th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival Screening Committee, the 2008-2009 Treasurer and the 2009-2010 Vice President of the UCA Film Club. She is a current member of the University Film and Video Association and attended the 2009 UFVA Conference in New Orleans. She was also the producer of UCA's first feature film entitled "Table at Luigi's". She plans to pursue a career as a professor at an accredited university as well as continue to make her own films after graduation.  


Justin Bauer
Hometown: Fort Smith, Arkansas

Justin graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism. He is a former University of Arkansas Film Club President and a current member of the UCA Film Club. Justin is a documentary filmmaker who had a film accepted to the 2008 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and he has taught Film Appreciation at UCA. Justin hopes to continue making documentaries and fiction films after graduation.


Collin Buchanan
Hometown: Fayetteville, Arkansas 

Collin graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Filmmaking and a minor in Theatre. Collin has been honored with the following awards:  2008 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival MVP Award, 2008 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival Best Documentary for Out There, 2007 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival Best Picture for Wooing, 2006 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival Best Editor, and 2006 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival Best Music Video. Collin hopes to pursue teaching and continue to work on his own projects.


Terrell Case
Hometown: Batesville, Arkansas

Terrell will graduate from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in Digital Filmmaking in Deceber 2009. He won Best Narrative Short and Best Direction at the 2009 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival for Rumby in the Jungy. He has participated in the Little Rock 48 Hour Film Festival and helped to document the 3rd Annual Little Rock Film Festival on a crew. He plans to make films for the rest of his live.

Jonathan Childs
Hometown: Hot Springs, Arkansas

Jonathan graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Filmmaking and a minor in Religious Studies where he was on the Dean’s List. He has worked as the Assistant Festival Coordinator at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in 2006 and led the Making of a Masterpiece project that was distributed historical documentaries about the art scene in Hot Springs, Arkansas to 300 libraries across the state. He currently holds a graduate assistantship and is working with Dave Anderson and the Oxford American Magazine as the lead editor in their "So Lost" video documentary series. He is also the lead editor on a feature film entitled "Table at Luigi's". He hopes to become a college professor after graduation as well as make documentaries and soundtrack work for different individual’s films. He hopes to live out west and have a big dog.


Mark Clifford
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

Mark graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications. After gradation he began working with the Equity Media Holdings Corporation on such programs as: Unreliable Sources, Notices Univision, and was the host of Retro Jams from 2006-2008 which broadcasted live on the Retro Television Network. Currently Marks is employed at the University of Central Arkansas' Channel 6.

Bryan Dawson
Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia

Bryan graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in English/Creative Writing and a minor in History in 1997. Bryan also attended the University of Memphis where he earned his Masters of Arts Degree in 2001. 

Eric Deitz
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

Eric graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2008 with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. He won Best Sound Design for Spark at the 2008 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival, the 2008 Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award, the James Bridges Fellowship in 2007 and in 2003 he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He has worked as a master control operator for VTN Channel 25 and a teacher assistant for Philip Fraun in his oral history and videography classes. Eric wants to learn more about filmmaking to sharpen his skills and to produce better films.


Paul Glover
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Paul graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Production in 2001. In 2004 he earned his Masters of Arts Degree in Communication Management Systems at Angelo State University. Paul was chosen part of the Official Selection at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2006 and 2008. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Communication Henderson State University Radio/TV, and was a College Media Advisors Speaker in New York, New York in 2008, an Access ASU Host and Producer 2002-2004, San Angelo Mayor’s Corner Host and Producer 2002-2004, and Alabama Public Radio (NPR) News reporter 2000-2001. He plans to continue teaching and producing documentaries utilizing the digital workflow. He enjoys being on camera as much as behind the scenes and wants to continue growth and learning in both areas.

Allison Hogue
Hometown: McGehee, Arkansas

Allison graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Writing in May 2009. She won the Outstanding Thesis from the UCA Honors College for her documentary entitled From Ray Winder to Dickey-Stephens that was also accepted in the 18th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. She has worked at KARK Channel 4 as an intern and desk assistant, Channel 6 Educational TV as a production assistant and is currently a graduate assistant in the UCA Writing Center. She was a filmmaker for the UCA Honors College Laughing Stock Comedy Troupe. She discussed the troupe's influence on her development as a filmmaker in a presentation at the 2009 Southern Regional Honors Council Conference. Allison hopes to edit films and to eventually be accepted into the American Cinema Editors Sociey after graduation.

Brian Ingle II
Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Brian graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Filmmaking in 2007. He plans to continue making films after graduation.

Sarah Jones
Hometown: Cabot, Arkansas

Sarah graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Digital Filmmaking in May 2009. She won the Best Editing award for Touch of Flesh and the Best Music Video award at the 2009 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival. Her film Perchance to Dream was among the official selections at the Southern Arkansas Student Video Festival of 2009. Sarah was the 2008-2009 UCA Film Club Vice President, has competed in the Little Rock 48 Hour Film Festival in 2008 and 2009 and was a volunteer at the Little Rock Film Festival in both 2008 and 2009.

Jason Knowles
Hometown: Rock Creek, Kansas

Jason graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of General Studies Degree with an emphasis in Filmmaking and Computer Production in 1998. He then earned a Masters of Science Degree in Instructional Design and Technology in 2004 from Emporia State University. Jason has had the following publications: in the National Social Science Perspectives Journal in 2006-Using Familiar Tools to Develop Curricula: Reshaping Instructional Design to Better Accommodate Classroom Teachers in the Media Studies Field, in the National Social Science Journal in 2005-Motion Pictures for Educators: Teaching Filmmaking via Distance Learning and as an Instructional Design Model. He as also won the following awards: 2008 University of Central Arkansas Film Festival Best Sound Design for Headphones: an electro musical, Outstanding IDT Graduate Student Award in 2004, Undergraduate Research Award from the University of Kansas in 1997, Kansas Board of Regents Recognition in 1994, and Silver Service Award in 1994. Jason is also currently an adjunct professor for UCA teaching Film Appreciation. He plans to continue teaching after graduation.


Emily Lane
Hometown: Greenbrier, Arkansas

Emily graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Television in 2006. She plans to teach, hopefully close by and wants to continue making documentary films.






Brian Lee
Hometown: Jonesboro, Arkansas

Brian graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications. He wants to continue to make narrative and documentary films after graduation as well as teach.

John Dillon Morrison
Hometown: Texarkansas, Arkansas

Dillon graduated from Henderson State University with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Mass Media in May 2009. He was awarded the Broadcaster of the Year award at Henderson State University. He was a member of the National Association of Broadcasters, Phi Mu Alpha, KTAL editor, and a commercial photographer and videographer. He hopes to become a professor at a university working with the digital film department after graduation.

Brett Neal
Hometown: Jenks, OK

Brett graduated fro the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of  Arts and Sciences Degree in Film and Video Studies in 2007.  He was Camp Balcones cinematographer in the summer of 2007. He has a strong desire to earn a living making films, films that inspire and motivate in a generation of apathetic cynics.  Whether that be through directing, producing, writing, or through the lens has yet to be determined.






Steve Nolan
Hometown: Hot Springs, Arkansas

Steve graduated from Hendrix College in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Photography. He graduated Cum Laude and Art Department Honors. He plans to start his own independent production company in the South or Northeast as well as teach.




Joseph Reho
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas

Jody graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Film minors in Photography and Anthropology. Jody was honored with the Outstanding Leadership Award from the University of Central Arkansas Film Festival in 2008, and Best Male Actor and Best Screenplay Awards at the 2008 48 Hour Film Festival in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is the former Vice President and the current President of the UCA Film Club and he has had a Graduate Assistantship since 2007. 


Jared Michael Smith
Hometown: Cabot, Arkansas

Jared graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication and Psychology and a minor in Religion. He has worked on several music videos, was a Screensurge Producer in the summer of 2008, Producer of the reality TV series “Revolve Rockin the Road”, Tour Manager for “As Cities Burn”, and a festival intern for Relevant Magazine.

Rosanna Sok
Hometown: Long Beach, California

Rose graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Film Studies and a minor in English in June 2008. She won the Best Director and Best Short awards at the Irvine High School FilmEd Entertainment Film Festival in 2004. She was the Video Director for the Class of 2004 video Yearbook at Long Beach Polytechnic High School and was later interviewed by USA Today in Los Angeles, California for directing Video Yearbooks in high schools. She was also the Senior Videographer at Campus Unions Marketing at UC Davis. Rose hopes to become a music video director, own her own video production business and retire and teach video production at a local community college.

Karim Soumana
Hometown: Niamey Niger (West Africa)

Karim graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance in 2005 and a Master's of Science degree in Economic Development in 2007.

Christine Ward
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

Christine graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Theatre in 1989 at the University of Arkansas. She has worked in theater and film since her graduation and has held a variety of positions, including: acting, production assistant, and screen writer. She has worked with the following directors: Billy Bob Thornton, Eli Roth, Rod Lurie, and Joey Lauren Adams. She currently lives in Little Rock, Ar and after graduation she hopes to direct films and teach.  


Johnny Weaver
Hometown: West Point, Mississippi

Johnny graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 2000. He was honored with Official Selection in the Magnolia Independent Film Festival with The Apple in 1998 and Laser Love in 2008. He has worked with the Mississippi University for Women Department of Theatre from 2001-2003 as a Designer and Technician and as a Production Assistant with the Sundance Institute in the Summer of 2003. He’s proud to have a single IMDB credit as an Actor in Ben Meade's The Death of the Reel starring Guy Maddin. Johnny just wants to make movies.


Eric White
Hometown: Middleton, Tennessee

Eric received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in Communications with an emphasis in Broadcasting. He came in second place at the UT Martin Film Festival and second place at the South Eastern Journalism Conference Editorial Illustrator-On-Site. He was the co-writer, editor and director of photography on a documentary entitled American at a Crossroads: A West Tennessee Experience. This film was featured on PBS. He worked as a DJ, board operator, and copy writer at Forever Communications, an editorial illustrator at The Pacer, and a camera operator and graphics at WLJT Channel 11. He was a screening committee member for the 18th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Eric wants to make films and one day teach at the college level.