Group of students arm-in-arm

The Pioneer Awards

A night of fun and appreciation for the creativity that makes up our major! Every April, the freshman class is tasked with organizing the award show of the year for the major, putting a few students in charge as Co-Chairs of the event to manage the film submissions, getting the films and voting form out to the alumni voting pool, getting the awards ordered, the place decorated, and making a script for the night for all the presenters. This looks great on your resume, but you also get to talk with upperclassmen and see what some other styles come out of the TFA classes. It's a wonderful night to get dressed up and have fun, to celebrate you, the filmmakers.

2026 Pioneer Award Winners

Best Production Design: Rent-A-Pony - Designed by Summer Faye Harris

Best Sound: Not So Close - Sound Mixing by Takla Younes

Best Cinematography: Mirage - Cinematography by Mattheew Green

Best Editing: Karma King - Edited by Nathan Koss

Best Actress: Miki Reamue - Parrot

Best Actor: Brian Harris - The Whispering Grass

Best Screenplay: All Tied Up - Written by Sam Tocke

Best Director: Not So Close - Directed by Shane Collins

Best Picture Nominees

Not So Close - Produced by Shane Collins (Winner)

Rent-A-Pony - Produced by Kevin Thompson and Sam Tocke

Twilight Time - Produced by Matthew Green