{"id":146011,"date":"2025-04-09T13:51:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T17:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=146011"},"modified":"2025-04-10T14:57:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T18:57:15","slug":"ucf-named-as-one-of-four-national-finalists-in-competitive-coca-cola-refreshing-films-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-named-as-one-of-four-national-finalists-in-competitive-coca-cola-refreshing-films-program\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF Named as One of Four National Finalists in Competitive Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time, the UCF film<\/a> students in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media in the College of Sciences have been selected as finalists in the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program. Cinemark Fan Favorite voting launches today and the public can vote for their favorite of the four entries through April 30<\/a>. (Note: Every vote is an entry for a chance to win prizes such as movie tickets for a year or a $500 gift card). Cinemark will distribute the winning Cinemark Fan Favorite film in their theaters, in addition to providing the finalists with a cash prize.<\/p>\n

Professor and Associate Director of the Film and Mass Media program Lisa Mills is hoping for a win for the students and shares that this historic recognition speaks to the talent and creative vision of UCF\u2019s filmmakers on a national level.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the quality of our students continues to increase and our film program grows, so does our national reputation as an outstanding film degree program.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mills says the intersection of technology and creativity plays a vital role in filmmaking, which is highlighted in UCF\u2019s innovation driven film program.<\/p>\n

\u201cFilmmaking is a technology-based art at its foundation,\u201d Mills says. \u201cAs UCF frames itself as a technology leader, film students show us how technology combined with creativity evokes emotion and brings ideas to the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Acquiring hands-on experience and working with industry standard technology, such as high-definition cameras and editing software, is a central part of UCF\u2019s film program, and this unique competition provides that opportunity for students. Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program Manager and Producer Katie Pryor says this program gives students a chance to showcase their skills with professional experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal of this program is to give students a real-world experience creating content for a big brand,\u201d Pryor says. \u201cIt\u2019s meant to provide students with an opportunity to experience the commercial side of filmmaking and receive industry mentorship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pryor says that brands are in need of content and students need opportunities to further their experience, creating natural alignment with this program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis program has a profound impact by providing participants with the opportunity to create branded content while still in school and giving them access to high level equipment, including a RED Digital Cinema Camera, and a professional color session at Company 3 during postproduction,\u201d Pryor says. \u201cIt not only empowers individuals to achieve their personal and professional goals but also contributes to the growth of the industry by fostering the next generation of talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Making it to the finals is a first-time experience for Knights, and Pryor emphasizes the creativity and unique vision that set UCF apart from other entries.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe UCF students\u2019 theme celebrated the real magic of going to the movies,\u201d she says. \u201cThe script tapped into a very relatable idea that the movies can spark our imagination and allow us to dream. The idea of a person imagining a future for themself on a date being sparked by the movies was a unique take on the date night concept and something we hadn\u2019t done before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pryor worked with film students Kenny \u201cK.L.\u201d Sanon \u201924<\/strong>, who graduated in December 2024, and Grace Tompkins \u201924<\/strong>, a film alumna who is currently pursuing a bachelor\u2019s in English<\/a> at UCF, and says that working with them has shown the skills and experience they gained as Knights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been very impressed with Kenny and Grace\u2019s collaborative nature and their amazing crew of UCF students and teachers,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s been wonderful to see the support they\u2019ve received from faculty and their peers. The UCF community has rallied to see this project succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tompkins\u2019 journey to her directorial debut has been an unlikely one and represents the culmination of hard work and creativity.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy love of movies started at a very young age. Growing up in the foster care system, I faced a lot of difficult moments, and during those times, books and films became my refuge,\u201d she says. “Movies made me feel seen, like I belonged somewhere, and that feeling stuck with me. Now, as a writer and director, I\u2019m passionate about creating stories that can do the same for others. I believe storytelling has the power to comfort, inspire and transport us, and being able to create that kind of magic for someone else \u2014 that\u2019s everything to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tompkins, who worked as the director on set, wrote the script for UCF\u2019s finalist entry, Screening Love<\/em>, for Coca-Cola Refreshing Films. She shares that this opportunity is more to her than filling a role on set.<\/p>\n