UFCJC student news and film productions recognized in NATAS 2026 Suncoast Chapter Student Production Awards

News reports, television programs and films produced by University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) students have been honored in the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) 2026 Suncoast Chapter Student Production Awards.

The awards encourage excellence in video production and spotlight outstanding achievements produced by college, university and high school students.

College News category winners and nominees include:

• College Newscast: Winner, “WUFT News First at Five” by Kimberly Blum, Emily Derick, Juan Carlos Chaoui, Carolina Rosanelli Tortorelli, Matthew Clark, Hannah Mack, Oriana Torre, Isabella Heupel, Isabela Reinoso and Hannah German. Advised by Alicia Coleman, Andre Sanders, Kalisha Whitman and Jeremy St. Louis.
  Hard News Report: Winner, “Oystering in Florida: A Dying Tradition Meets a Modern Fix” by Nicole Beltran. Advised by Harrison Hove.
  Hard News Report: Winner, “Bradley’s Law” by Benardo Montas. Advised by Harrison Hove.
  Feature News Report: Winner, “The New Florida Follies: The Dance Stage Has No Age Limits” by Alex Land. Advised by Harrison Hove.
  Feature News Report: Winner, “Rebuilding Paradise: How a Florida Coastal Town is Bouncing Back After Three Consecutive Hurricanes” by Nicole Borman. Advised by Harrison Hove.
  Solo Storyteller: Winner, “The Rodeo Kid: An Unlikely Teen Roper” by Juan Carlos Chaoui. Advised by Harrison Hove.
  Arts/Entertainment/Cultural Affairs: Winner, “Carving Students’ Futures: How One Artist is Making an Impact Beyond His Studio Walls” by Victoria Perez. Advised by Harrison Hove.
  Arts/Entertainment/Cultural Affairs: Nominee, “Artista Venezolana” by Oriana Torre and Andrea Fonseca. Advised by Dania Alexandrino and Maria Fernanda Camacho.
  Magazine Program: Winner, “Viviendo con la Tierra” by Juan Carlos Chaoui, Alexis Vivanco, Oriana Torre, Nicole Borman, Maria Sofia Rodriguez, Catherine Chapman, Jelianys Ramos, Genesis Trujillo, Zoe Kahn, Vera Lucia Papaterra and Marina Meretz.  Advised by Dania Alexandrino.
  Sports Story: Winner, “Racing with My Mom” by Hayli Balgobin. Advised by Harrison Hove.
  Sports Program: Winner, “Gator Gameday” by Hunter Zbarsky, Matthew Blinderman, Brooke Park, Isaac Edelman, Jada Ross, Tyler Brodie, Nick Gonzalez-Abreu, Alan Williams, Caroline King and Emily Drelick. Advised by Tom Bacsik and Tim Sorel.
  Talent – News or Sports Media: Winner, “Alex Land Reporter Composite” by Alex Land. Advised by Harrison Hove and Alicia Coleman.
  Talent – News or Sports Media: Nominee, “Juan Carlos Chaoui Reporter Composite” by Juan Carlos Chaoui. Advised by Harrison Hove and Alicia Coleman.
  Talent – News or Sports Media: Nominee, “Nicole Borman Reporter Composite” by Juan Carlos Chaoui. Advised by Harrison Hove and Dania Alexandrino.

College Film category winners and nominees include:

• Fiction – Long Form: Winner, “Roots of an Olive Tree” by Devin Russell, Caleb Clarey, Danny Burtless, Azhalia Pottinger and Rafaella Arnaez. Advised by Iman Zawahry and Brandon Shenk.
  Non-Fiction – Long Form: Nominee, “Love Thy Neighbor” by Sarah Leon, Anais Ramentol, Michael D’Alessio and Natalia Irizarry. Advised by Houston Wells.
  Animation/Graphics/Special Effects: Winner, “Memoir of a College Girl Who Was Left Behind” by Liana Rosenbaum. Advised by Sami Wax.
  Editor: Winner, “Partners in Crime” by Cole Groth. Advised by Iman Zawahry and Brandon Shenk.

The awards were presented at eighth annual Suncoast Student Production Awards at the AutoNation Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 25.

Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News, Uncategorized
Tagged: Alicia Coleman Andre Sanders Brandon Shenk Dania Alexandrino Harrison Hove Houston Wells Iman Zawahry Jeremy St. Louis Kalisha Whitman Maria Fernanda Camacho NATAS Suncoast Chapter Student Production Awards Sami Wax
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