The spotlight was on Bronx Community College’s emerging filmmakers as students, alumni, faculty, family members, and industry professionals gathered at Manhattan’s prestigious Directors Guild of America (DGA) Theater for the 32nd Annual Bronx Community College Film & Video Festival. 

Produced by the College’s Media and Digital Film Production (MEDP) Program, the annual festival showcased award-winning student films, recognized outstanding achievement and celebrated the next generation of storytellers preparing for careers in New York’s thriving film and television industry. 

Throughout the evening, students were honored with scholarships, memorial awards, industry recognition and cash prizes sponsored by longtime partners and supporters of the program. The event also welcomed alumni who have built successful careers across the entertainment industry, offering current students an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments while strengthening professional connections. 

“Our students arrive with dreams, and through hard work, mentorship and creativity they leave with professional portfolios, industry contacts and the confidence to begin careers in film and television,” Professor Jeffrey Wisotsky, Director of the Media and Digital Film Production Program, said. “Tonight celebrates not only their accomplishments, but also the future of the motion picture industry.” 

President Larry Johnson said the festival reflects Bronx Community College’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers through hands-on learning and industry engagement. 

“The Film & Video Festival reflects the very best of Bronx Community College,” President Johnson said. “Our students tell meaningful stories, master professional technologies and demonstrate the creativity and determination that prepare them to become tomorrow’s leaders in New York City’s film and television industry.” 

Among the evening’s standout honorees was student filmmaker Nia Simmons, who received four major awards, including the Brent Renaud Memorial Award, the Sol Negrin Memorial Award, the Nancy Littlefield Memorial Award and the Marie Nesbitt Promise Prize. Her remarkable journey and creative achievements are featured in a companion story in this issue. 

The festival also highlighted the College’s continued investment in the future of film education, including plans for a $4 million renovation of BCC’s television production facilities. The new digital media center will provide students with industry-standard production, editing, audio, and virtual production technologies, further strengthening pathways from the classroom to careers in one of New York City’s fastest-growing creative industries. 

For more than three decades, the Bronx Community College Film & Video Festival has served as a launching pad for emerging filmmakers, with graduates pursuing careers in directing, producing, editing, cinematography, sound, post-production and broadcast media. 

Award Recipients 

This year’s major award recipients included: 

• Nia Simmons – Brent Renaud Memorial Award, Sol Negrin Memorial Award, Nancy Littlefield Memorial Award, and Marie Nesbitt Promise Prize (co-recipient) 
• Sylvia Unddin – Milos Forman Memorial Award and Marie Nesbitt Promise Prize (co-recipient) 
• Aaron Vargas – Motion Picture Enterprises Excellence in Post-Production Prize 
• Jekiah Young – David A. Davis MEDP Filmmaker Award and Peter J. Rondinone Memorial Award 
• Amauris Vargas – Avid Technology Editing Award 
• Howard Brown – Avid Technology Pro Tools Mixing Award and Peter J. Rondinone Memorial Award 
• Tasha Barber – Dr. J. Juechter Perseverance Prize and Peter J. Rondinone Memorial Award 
• Jamal Johns and Charlie Liriano – Throwback Thursday Marvelously Talented Alumni Awards 
• Octavio A. Gomez and David A. Taylor – Friend of the Filmmakers Awards 

Additional Peter J. Rondinone Memorial Awards were presented to Astra Ajayi, Oslisa Encarnacion, and Tyler Ross. 

Save the Date: A reprise screening of this year’s award-winning films will be held on Thursday, October 22, from 12-2 p.m. in the Roscoe Brown Student Center Hall of Fame Playhouse. Admission is free.