From the Desk of Jeff Berggren

Catch up on the latest Arizona happenings with the Director of Arizona Operations

In addition to the excitement regarding the excellent work of the HU Arizona digital media arts (DMA) students and the resulting awards, there is also the enthusiasm that comes from having a building full of activity. The undergraduate DMA enrollment was at an all-time high for the spring semester with 154 students enrolled. That compares to 145 undergrad students in the spring of 2021, 131 in the spring of 2020 and 109 in the spring of 2019.

With the second cohort of Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD program) students arriving this spring, the enrollment of doctoral students is now up to a total of 27, with 17 students in the new cohort and 10 students now in their second year of study. The OTD labs are full and active every day, and when combined with the growing DMA use of studios and computer labs, there is a legitimate amount of energy throughout the entire HU Arizona building. In total, 181 students took either undergrad or doctoral classes at HU Arizona this spring.

And let me tell you, these 181 students were up to some incredible things this year. Read on to learn about our appearance at the Phoenix Film Fest, collection of ADDY Awards and recent OTD and film student collaboration.

HU Arizona Takes Nine to Phoenix Film Festival

Nine projects from seven HU Arizona students were included in the Phoenix Film Festival’s Official Selections. This film festival, which took place March 31-April 10, is the largest in Arizona. A nationally recognized film event, it has been named one of "The 25 Coolest Film Festivals" and a "Top 50 Worth the Entry Fee" by MovieMaker Magazine.

"It's a great indicator of the quality production experience that the students are receiving in the Huntington program,” said Jason Carney, executive director of the Phoenix Film Foundation. “I'm really proud of the partnership we have cultivated with Huntington and our Peoria Film [Fest]."

HU Arizona submitted its students’ work to the “Arizona Shorts — Made in AZ” category, as each project features local Valley actors and locations ranging from North Phoenix to Old Town Peoria.

“For the last several years, one of our benchmarks has been the Phoenix Film Festival,” said Phil Wilson, Arizona digital media arts program director. “To see nine of our students’ short films (from live action and animation to documentary) get into the festival speaks volumes.

“One student told me that getting into PhxFF had been a dream of theirs since high school — that student now has a short at this year’s festival and is still a sophomore in the program. I’m so happy for him — and all of our students whose work is being screened.”

Phoenix Film Festival 2022 Official Selections

“By Good Rights”

Directed by Trace Avey

“Becoming”

Directed by Pepe Sifuentes

“Cola”

Directed by Julian Martinez Fernandez

“Murphy”

Directed by Chloe Caufield

“Rocket Science”

Directed by Kenny Gondales

“Scorn”

Directed by Xander Martin

“Snapshots”

Directed by Xander Martin

“Stranger”

Directed by Chloe Caufield

“Waves of Emotion”

Directed by Sabrina Hirsch

HU Arizona Student Takes ADDY Honors

Katelyn Chill, a junior graphic design major, was awarded a Student Bronze ADDY Award for her restaurant brand guide for Nick's Restaurant at the 2022 American Advertising Awards, which took place at the Phoenix Ad Club at the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, March 10.

“Katelyn’s project was a solo production, while her competition was student ad agencies and groups. To receive one of the top honors in the category is truly an achievement,” said Jeff Del Nero, assistant professor of visual art and graphic design.

Occupational Therapy and Film Collaboration

HU Arizona undergraduate film students produced a promotional film for the OTD program. The film highlights the journey the OTD program took in their first year and tells the story of how we got started in the middle of an international pandemic. Scan this QR code to see for yourself!