At É«½ç°É, film and television students explore their unique perspectives and bold ideas through film. Here, you'll find examples of their work in our BFA and BA degree programs, the culmination of an extremely collaborative process that occurs in the classroom, on set in É«½ç°É's Media Production Center, and on location. Discover the creativity and innovation of these emerging filmmakers.
Jadyn Wilson (Director and Producer)
Winner of the 2024 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Chicago/Midwest National Student Production Award (Long Form), this film focuses on a young man who must acknowledge his vulnerability after receiving a challenging college assignment. Other members of the film team: Guo-Jian Swartz (line producer); Jack Pedro (line producer); Michael Picciano-Schatten (cinematography); Ella Garnes (production design); and Jake Russ (editing).
Cooper Haaland ‘22 (Director) and Audrey Krolnik ’22 (Producer)
A man living in a dystopian society meets a woman through a hole in his wall in this BFA film. As their relationship challenges his limited view of reality, he must choose between the horror he knows and the great unknown. Other members of the film team: Taylor Grubb (editing); Leo Bassow (production design); Ethan Schoenborn (cinematography); Marissa Drinkwater and Cooper Haaland (screenwriting); and Elli Monte (costume design).
Chane Fischer '24 (Director and Producer)
A BFA thesis project, this film tells the story a neurodivergent woman whose world gets complicated when she falls in love with a spontaneous young man. Other members of the film team: Bella Warner '24 (line producer); Sofia Forero '24 (cinematography); and Ben Dawson '23 (editing).
Jonah Ocuto ’22 (Director), Melvin S. March (Producer); Mary Watson ’22 (Producer)
This film tells the story of a young boy's journey into adolescence, which leads him to the doorstep of an autistic woman and introduces him to the sad reality of what it means to be a man. Other members of the film team: Camryn Tabiolo (cinematography) and Jessica Jurewicz (editing).
Julia Knopfel (Writer and Director)
Knopfel, a first-year film and TV student, channeled her family's grief into a deeply personal short documentary film—her first—about her uncle's tragic death for a class project. Other members of the film team: Sienna McMullen (cinematography and editing) and Nadia Herrera (cinematography).
Emma Pillsbury ‘22 (Director/Screenwriter) and Ethan Glover ‘22 (Producer)
This BFA film is about soon-to-be-married acclaimed fashion designer whose world spirals as her inability to confront her past releases surrealistic and sensual encounters with a dress she is making. Other members of the film team: Gerrit Fahr (cinematography); Elaine Puglsey (screenwriting); and Kara O’lander (editing).
Nora Dolin '24 (Director and Producer)
A guarded women in a support group takes a naive young woman under her wing in this BFA thesis project. Other members of the film team: Madelyn Heuvelman '24 (screenwriter); Bri Ramirez '24 and Alec Richard '25 (producers); Michael Paris Stone '23 (cinematography); Blake Huang '24 (editing); Lucia Wallin '24 (production design).
Jacob Soto '23 (Director)
Through a series of intimate interviews, day-in-the-life footage, personal photos, and artwork, this documentary by Jacob Soto '23 explores the intersecting issues and identities of young queer POC artists, activists, and community members born and raised in Chicago.