Frank Parkinson is a filmmaker whose passion for filmmaking was shaped by his battle with cancer and a lifelong devotion to storytelling. After falling in love with the art of making documentaries in high school, he produced his first film, “The Journey of a Lifetime”, which received a nomination for a Student Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences - Michigan Chapter and Best of Show at the Digital Arts, Film and Television Film Festival (DAFT). To advance his craft, Parkinson earned a B.A. in Film, Television, and Media from the University of Michigan. With a background in documentary, Parkinson honed his craft through years of filmmaking and internships at Michigan Athletics, Michigan Football, and NBC Sports in their creative video departments, producing powerfully driven narratives. His film “Walking on the Moon” tackled his years-long battle with leukemia. It was awarded 2nd Place in College Documentary by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) and was an official selection at the Capital City Film Festival (CCFF), Detroit Free Press Film Festival (FREEP), and the Trinity Film Festival. Following the success of that documentary, Parkinson directed “Go Down River”, an introspective investigation into local PFAS contamination in the Huron River. This was awarded 1st Place College Documentary by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) and was an official selection for the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY). In his senior year, Parkinson directed “48217”, which explored the environmental and human cost of unchecked pollution in Detroit’s 48217 ZIP code, one of the most polluted areas in the country. The film highlights the stories of residents suffering from severe health issues due to industrial pollution, exposing systemic neglect and environmental racism. Through an observational approach, the documentary amplifies the voices of activists and affected individuals while holding corporations and policymakers accountable. Parkinson received the Barbara Preston and Alice Webber Glover Scholarship Awards two consecutive years in a row (2024, 2025) for his work. He draws inspiration from his mentor, John J. Valadez, a two-time Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker who served as executive producer on his undergraduate films and remains a close advisor. Parkinson brings a unique vision to his projects, guided by his own experiences. Area of Focus: environmental/social/investigative documentary, narrative, and sports filmmaking