The Reynolds School of Journalism hosted its annual documentary film festival at the Reno Little Theater on Dec. 13, screening seven student-produced films to a sold-out crowd. 

Groups of undergraduate and graduate students worked together throughout the semester to produce short documentaries, ranging in subject and style. In addition to the five films created in the Documentary Filmmaking course, the festival featured two sports-focused films produced in the Reynolds School’s new Sports Media Production class, taught by Senior Lecturer of Digital Media and Cross-Cultural Reporting Nico Colombant. 

“This year was so special and different because we also incorporated two sports documentaries as part of the film screening,” said Associate Professor of Electronic Media Kari Barber. The Reynolds School is preparing to introduce a new undergraduate emphasis in Sports Media in the fall of 2024.

“The films ranged from very serious subjects, like a young woman fighting cancer, to a comedy about hopping trains,” said Barber.

This year’s festival was the ninth annual, but the first time in many years the festival was held off campus. “It was so cool having it at the Reno Little Theater, and to see student work out in the community and with such an enthusiastic response from the public.”

The festival began with the premiere of “First Fight” created by Archie Smith, Jeremiah Sampson, Brooke Blackard, Amanda Durand, Erik Jorgensen and Kat Fulwider, which follows local MMA fighter Payton Talbot on the road to his UFC debut in Las Vegas.

“Reed v. Spanish Springs” created by Saurabh Chawla, Dominic Gutierrez, Kailee Bryant, Trey Kroll, Derek Raridon and Audrey Alavi illustrates the decades-long and deep-seated rivalry between two high school football programs in Sparks.

“The Last Sheepherders” created by Kat Fulwider, Gaia Osborne, Hannah Truby and Ariana Brockman, tells the story of the Borda family who have been operating their family sheep ranch for over a hundred years and are now trying to keep it alive.

“Love Letter to Life” created by Zoe Malen, Josie Hester, Aaron Arao and Alex Couraud, is the story of Iman, a 21-year-old who faced a shocking cancer diagnosis and found strength through journaling her experience.

“Rising Heat: Latino Labor in Extreme America” created by Vanesa de la Cruz and Eric Dietlien, reveals the impact of rising temperatures on Reno and Las Vegas for outdoor workers like brothers Lalo and Fernando, and the pushback of Bill 427 which sought protections for the most vulnerable workers.

“Biggest Little Street Styles” created by Mychael Bellik, explores how two local streetwear designers are challenging and reshaping the perception of style in Reno.

The final film was “Jump-Man or (Train Hopping Because Werner Herzog Told Me To)” created by John Snelgrove, Nick Capuano, Lisa Cervantes and Clayton Posey, follows two students on their ambitious journey to Wisconsin to follow a train hopper from YouTube before their plan derails.