“Great stories happen to those who can tell them”

Abdurrahman Danquah is a Houston-based filmmaker, artist, and arts programmer whose work spans film, photography, and poetry. He uses visual storytelling to explore themes of identity, faith, and connection. He holds a degree in Media Production and is currently pursuing his MFA in Film Production at the University of Texas at Austin.

His short film 'Yardman' won the Audience Choice Award for Best Short at the Admit One: Analog Film Showcase, presented by Houston Cinema Arts Society and FLATS Film Lab. His earlier short, 'Iridescence', premiered at the Reel Poetry Film Festival and screened at Houston’s historic River Oaks Theatre. His photography has been exhibited at spaces such as Casa Luz and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Beyond his creative work, Abdurrahman serves as film curator for the Islamic Arts Society Annual Film Festival. He also continues to work with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, collaborating with the Art of the Islamic Worlds department on cross-cultural programming.

I am a film director from Russia whose work explores themes of loneliness, social injustice, and the fragile boundaries between reality and imagination. Recently, my creative focus has shifted toward science fiction, where I continue to reflect on the interplay of dream and reality.

My short film Hypnos was selected for the Sci-Fi block at the 2023 Koroche Film Festival, marking an important step in developing my voice within the genre.

Beyond short films, I have worked across a range of formats and roles. I directed a reality show filmed for YouTube in Thailand, collaborated as an assistant director and production designer on a television series, and gained experience as a First Assistant Director on commercial productions.

I see filmmaking as a way to question social structures while creating immersive visual worlds. My current interest lies in expanding my practice within science fiction and detective genres.

Area of Focus: Science fiction, detective genre, social injustice in film, dream and reality in storytelling

Jackson Walker was born and raised in San Jose, CA, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023 with a BA in History and Political Science. After working at a Wisconsin-based environmental non-profit for 2 years, he is now pursuing a MA in Media Studies at the University of Texas. His interests center around film history and sports media, specifically the mythology and romanticism present in sports films and documentaries.

In his free time, you can find him searching for the best ice cream spot in Austin, solving puzzles (both crossword and jigsaw alike), or cheering on his favorite sports teams.

My name is Genevieve, and I'm a 2024 graduate of Abilene Christian University's Language and Literature Department. I grew up in Austin, so I am really excited to move back to start the MA program in UT's RTF department. I am a big fan of traveling, baking, reading fiction, serving my community, and obviously– experiencing cinema. I have loved movies forever, and I am very passionate about the intersection between life and art. I'm always excited to talk about film, so I'm ecstatic to be here!

I wrote my undergraduate honors thesis on female depictions in the three directorial features of Greta Gerwig. My two main areas of interest are gender representation, and the spiritual potential that films contain. I consider movie theaters a sacred space; I am hoping to write my graduate thesis on encountering the divine in non-"Christian" movies. Excited to see how I grow in this program!

Area of Focus: film history; gender studies in media, specifically romantic comedies; and finding spirituality on the screen outside of "Christian" content 

Channing Smith is an Austin-based filmmaker and producer whose work excavates Black rituals and traditions, grief, and familial relationships through the lens of both documentary and narrative film. Her work aims to bridge the space between Black legacies and curiosities.

Hi, I’m Monet Montague Michael, a director, writer, and producer from Brooklyn, NY.

I worked professionally as a producer within commercial, narrative, and event production spaces. I have contributed to music videos, reality television, commercials, feature films, documentaries, and live commerce shopping demonstrating a commitment to bringing creative and commercial visions to fruition.

As a writer, you can catch me dabbling in all things related to the Black diaspora, family, sexuality, and the exploration of various other untraditional relationships.

Paige Wills is a doctoral student in the Radio-Television-Film Department at The University of Texas at Austin. Paige earned an MA in Film and Media Studies from Columbia University and a BS in Radio-Television-Film with a minor in French from UT Austin. Paige’s research focuses on women’s representation and fashion in cinema and digital platforms with an emphasis on textiles, vintage, and labor.

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Dilyan attended the University of North Texas for his undergrad, earning a BA in Media Studies. He focused mainly on Screenwriting and Cultural Studies until one semester when he took Queer Cinema and was captivated by studying queer media. Moving forward, he hopes to study the intersections of Queer and Mexican American culture while also understanding their importance in documenting/influencing recent sociopolitical changes.

In his free time, Dilyan enjoys watching movies (of course), bothering his cat, and cooking food from all over the world. His goal is to one day travel the world to see international cinema and cuisine.

Area of Focus: Queer media, Latin American studies, Mexican American media

Annasimone Mikhail is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and holds a B.A. in Psychology and Criminology from The Ohio State University. During her time here as a Media Studies MA student, she hopes to delve into the complexities of minority and gender representation within popular forms of media (especially reality television) and the accompanying effects on self-perception and interpersonal communication. Being a first-generation American herself, she also seeks to explore this subgroup’s unique relationship with media as a social learning tool in navigating questions of citizenship and identity. She welcomes any opportunity to discuss her latest read or film viewing and enjoys playlist curation and going to concerts.