SDSU student filmmakers shine on the big screen at the fall Emerging Filmmakers Showcase

The SDSU School of Theatre, Television, and Film showcased student work during the biannual TFM Emerging Filmmakers Showcase. The most recent two-night event was held Dec. 15–16, 2025 and featured short fiction and documentary films produced during the fall semester, highlighting students’ creative growth within the Television, Film, and New Media program.  

Over the course of both evenings, audiences experienced an impressive lineup of films that featured personal narratives, experimental storytelling, documentaries, and more. 

Several films stood out for their emotional depth and technical skills. “Before He Forgets,” directed and written by Selina Gonzalez, offered a portrayal of Alzheimer's disease inspired by the director’s own family history. “We See You” presented a documentary-style look at a San Diego nonprofit that offers weekly community dinners and relationship-based support to help individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and addiction find pathways to recovery and independent living. Many of the films featured student filmmakers exploring themes of identity, loss, resilience, and human connection. 

For Brian Hu, associate professor and festival curator, one of the most interesting aspects of the showcase is the variety of stories students choose to tell, as well as the seriousness with which they approach their work.

“I always enjoy seeing the sheer range of stories that our students tell,” Hu said. “Students take seriously the opportunity to dig deeply into their various identities: as students, as young people, as members of ethnic communities.”

The event highlighted student collaboration. Each film showcased the teamwork of writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound designers, and production designers, with many individuals taking on multiple roles. 

Hu emphasized that the showcase represents an exciting opportunity for students as they transition from classroom projects to a more professional exhibition setting.

“The Emerging Filmmaker Showcase is the moment students get to see their work on the big screen,” he said. “Up to that point, their films existed on computer monitors and laptop screens as they edited their footage and reviewed the work. But on the big screen, they get to see and hear their films as professionals might.” 

For many students, this experience provides a new perspective on their work and offers reflection on how audiences and industry professionals interact with their film. 

The event also included a live awards ceremony celebrating excellence across multiple categories. Honors were awarded for screenplay, cinematography, producing, documentary filmmaking, and more, alongside an Audience Award voted on by the attendees. 

Award Winners 

• Best Fiction Film: “Post Mortem” (Director: Luca Rivetti, Producer: Angela Vasquez)
• Best Documentary: “Ahora Que Te Vas” (Director: Eduardo Quero, Producer: Clare Vincent)
• Best Directing: Celia Beaumont, “Awkward Stage”
• Best Producing: Sydney Simmons, “Front Row”
• Best Cinematography: Nicole Avila, “Beast”
• Best Screenplay: Julian Rodriguez, “Front Row”
• Best Editing: Angel Jimenez, “Imagine Him Happy”
• Best Production Design: Carly Luja, “Crossed Lines”
• Audience Award: “Imagine Him Happy”

Beyond these achievements, the showings reinforced the community element within storytelling. This is an aspect Hu hopes students will carry with them into their future careers.   

“It's so valuable for students to feel that it takes a village to make a film,” Hu said. “We see it from the list of people in the credits, but we also feel it palpably when we hear the roar of the audience supporting each other's work.”

That sense of collective support extends beyond individual productions to the broader network of peers, faculty, and mentors who contribute to bringing each project to life. 

For the campus and wider community, the showcase also offers a chance to tell critical local stories on screen.

“This isn't just a showcase of SDSU stories but of San Diego stories,” Hu said.

As the night concluded, faculty organizers reminded audiences of the power of storytelling and community, especially during challenging times. 

“As students develop as filmmakers, that village will only grow, so we hope that the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase reiterates to students how important one's support system is,” Hu said. 

Looking ahead: Spring Emerging Filmmakers Showcase

The next Emerging Filmmakers Showcase will take place over three nights, May 12–14, 2026, at the SDSU Performing Arts District Main Stage Theatre, with screenings beginning at 7:30 p.m. each evening. 

Each night will feature a different curated selection of short fiction and documentary films produced by SDSU students. 

“The Spring edition is always packed with great work, because it includes work made by graduating MFA students,” Hu said. 

For more information on upcoming TFM events, visit https://ttf.sdsu.edu/calendar.