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It is not every day that your work gets recognized internationally, but for four 5X���� digital media production students and alumni, their work has earned them a spot in the (CIFF).

Founded in 1977, the Cleveland International Film Festival showcases independent film, highlighting captivating storylines from around the world with engaging narratives full of passion and heart. This year’s festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary. J notes:

“The festival has come a long way since those humble beginnings. It will celebrate its 50th edition April 9–18 at Playhouse Square with a lineup spanning 337 films, including 99 features and 238 shorts from 57 countries. For Hermione Malone, CIFF’s executive director, the milestone is about honoring the festival’s legacy and looking ahead to its future. ‘I want to remind people why this festival is important and why Cleveland is lucky to have it,’ she said.”

, a sci-fi comedy short film written and directed by Griffin Owen BS ‘25, and produced by James Plested, screened at the festival on April 16. The film follows Craig and Ernest. Craig, a man working for a moving company, discovers Ernest, a former scientist now living as a brain in a jar, hidden away in a storage unit. Bitter about his fate and convinced the world has forgotten him, Ernest asks to be destroyed. Instead, Craig takes Ernest on a trip to attempt to prove life can still be enjoyable in his present state.  

, an experimental short film where Anna Martin, a 2025 digital media production and marketing graduate, served as the director, producer, writer, editor and worked on cinematography alongside her twin sister Ella Martin, screened at the festival on April 15. The film explores how overwhelming and performative the world can feel, with constant distractions, conflict and pressure to always be “on.” The film points toward peace in the middle of chaos.  

, a documentary wherein Ron Sonedecker served as the director, producer, writer, editor and cinematographer, screened at the festival on April 16. The film follows homeless veteran outreach events in Phoenix, AZ, known as Stand Down. The events provide services like housing assistance, medical care and job resources to veterans in need. The film highlights the services provided and gives a voice to those who deserve to be heard.  

In addition to students, two School of Media and Journalism faculty, Dana White, associate professor, and Christopher Knoblock, associate lecturer, also had their film Magan’s Fare featured in the festival. A noted the short film is “a moving immigrant story starring Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi (“Captain Phillips”) and shot in Willoughby.  

Each film was created through the digital media production major capstone course, Production II. In the course, students will bring together the creative, technical and project management skills they acquired in prior coursework to conceive, produce and edit a senior capstone video or multimedia project. Students are encouraged to share their finished work with faculty, peers and external audiences such as film festivals.

Owen, Plested, Martin and Sonedecker credit Scott Hallgren, associate professor also in the School of Media and Journalism, with nominating and submitting their films on their behalf.  

“It was an honor to have their support and confidence in the project,” Sonedecker said, referring to the professors in the program.

The students were equally shocked and excited to hear their films were accepted into the Cleveland International Film Festival.

“I was kind of shocked just because there were so many quality films coming out of Kent State at the time,” Owen said.

The success of these student films at an international level underscores the prestige of Kent State’s high-quality academics. By providing distinctive programs that challenge students to produce festival-grade work, the university ensures its graduates possess the career readiness and portfolio strength required to excel in the competitive global film industry.

“My initial reaction was surprise,” Martin said. “I was not expecting it, but I was excited! It's a prestigious festival, especially for Kent students, so it felt like a meaningful accomplishment. I was proud, especially knowing I created most of the project independently.”

Being surrounded by tough competition makes the accomplishment significantly greater.  

“It’s incredibly exciting and something I don’t take for granted,” Sonedecker said. “Being part of a festival like Cleveland’s is an honor and a great opportunity to share this story with a larger audience.”

As you can imagine, having your film recognized on an international level is a major accomplishment for each student.  

“This project represents a shift for me. It is simpler than some of my previous work, but it feels more honest and personal,” Martin said. “This film reflects my own perspective and my faith, and that is what makes it different from the work I have done in the past.”

Each film has its own meaning. For Sonedecker, Stand/Down meant being a voice for those who are voiceless.  

“STAND/DOWN is about awareness, but also about impact,” Sonedecker said. “If it encourages even one person to better understand the challenges veterans face or get involved in supporting them, then it’s done its job. 

Being part of the Cleveland International Film Festival gives that message a much bigger platform, and that’s what makes it so meaningful to me,” Sonedecker said.

While each film was created with little or no help, each student had a wide array of support from family members, friends, faculty and more.

“I definitely got a lot of help from Black Belt Media, a video production company I am interning with,” Plested said. “They helped me set up equipment. They were really cool in the process of setting up the campaigning.”

For Brain Fog, Owen and Plested set up a Seed&Spark campaign to generate funds to cover location, construction, craft services and film festival fees.  

“It really was a team effort,” Owen said. “It says Griffin Owen and James Plested on the poster, but it really was everyone involved, no matter how big or small.”    

These films illustrate the caliber of work coming out of Kent State’s digital media production program. Many students are receiving accolades for their projects, a recognition that increases visibility in creative fields.

“I am so glad I stuck with Kent State,” Owen said. “I think the Digital Media Production program is fantastic. I’d recommend it to anyone.”  

Brain Fog and Grounding are still in the festival circuit, but to view Stand/Down, .

Learn more about Kent State’s Digital Media Production program.