ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ BFA Short Film Wins NATAS Student Production Award
Some of filmmakers behind "Cicada": (left to right) David Palazzolo ’26 (producer), Vince Luo ’26 (director), and Celeste Lopez ’26 (editor). 
"I Memorized Your Sadness" was also nominated. At the event, the film was represented by (left to right) Madison Donnelly ‘26 (director), Anoulak Blanchet (cinematographer), and Shannon Sykes ‘26 (producer). "Cicada," a BFA thesis short film made by ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ students, won a 2026 College Student Production Award from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), the organization behind the Emmy Awards. The award was presented October 24 in Chicago.
Directed by ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ alum Vince Luo ‘26 and produced by alum David Palazzolo ‘26, won in the Fiction: Long Form category. Brock Stehlin, Emma Troy, and Celeste Lopez, all 2026 graduates, were also part of the filmmaking team.
The short follows Jin, who inherits her late father's restaurant. There, she clashes with an estranged chef whose unresolved love for her father brings shared memories to light as they seek closure.
"Cicada" was one of two ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ BFA thesis short films nominated in the same category. The other, , was directed by Madison Donnelly ‘26 and produced by Shannon Sykes ‘26. Other filmmakers on the project included Anoulak Blanchet '26, Noah Keathly '26, and Tyler Zolynsky '26.
The short follows Hudson, who retraces his mother's steps after her death by suicide. Through his search, he hopes to uncover her past and discover what once made her happy.
The NATAS College Student Production Awards, often referred to as the student Emmys, recognize outstanding student work in television and video production. The recognition showcases the storytelling talent and collaborative filmmaking skills of ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ graduates.
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Graduate Student Presented NATAS Scholarship
Matthew Hua, a Music Composition for Screen MFA student at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, was presented the Sara Janz “Take Your Shot” Memorial Scholarship at the October 24 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences event. The NATAS scholarship honors ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ alum Sara Janz ‘18, the late daughter of ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ alum Roz Varon ‘80, retired ABC-7 traffic and feature reporter.
