By Kirsten Coachman
The Schools of Entertainment hosted NXTUP Fest, their annual end-of-spring awards ceremony, at the 79 New Montgomery Theater on Wednesday, May 7. The event served as the kickoff for Academy of Art University’s All Access Week, which included the Spring Fashion Show on Thursday, May 8, and the annual Spring Show on Friday, May 9.
The evening was emcee’d by Executive in Charge of Brand Storytelling and the Schools of Entertainment Jana Memel and Director of the School of Motion Pictures & Television Randy Levinson.
“Each and every one of our nominees has put forward the time and energy to achieve excellence,” Memel said during her opening remarks. “And whether or not you find yourself up on the stage tonight, you deserve our applause.”
The Schools of Entertainment comprise the respective Schools of Acting, Motion Pictures & Television, and Writing for Film, TV, and Digital Media. With a variety of disciplines taught throughout each of these departments, the importance of collaboration is continually at the forefront, especially when working on film projects.
“It takes a village—a very, very, very large village—to make good films,” said Memel, who thanked the script supervisors, makeup and wardrobe, camera crews, and PAs.
Levinson recalled a moment from the 2019 Oscars after “Black Panther” composer Ludwig Göransson won the Oscar for Best Original Score. In his speech, Göransson thanked his longtime friend and director Ryan Coogler, citing their time collaborating in school.
“Ryan, working with you has been an incredible honor,” said Göransson in his winning speech. “I remember 12 years ago, we were sitting in our dorm at USC writing the score for your first short film. And we’re here 12 years later, celebrating one of the most important cinematic moments in history.”
Levinson encouraged students attending, whether in the theater or online, to reflect on their peers in their classes.
“This business is all about networking and collaborating with other hungry, passionate filmmakers,” said Levinson. “Be proactive in your pursuits as the nominees tonight have been, and you too will find yourself giving a similar speech in the future as Ludwig did.”
Awards were given out in 20 categories, voted on by members within the film industry. Additionally, there were five Audience Awards voted on by the public.
In front of a full house, the evening’s awards were given out by industry guests, including award-winning screenwriter and producer Patricia Resnick, casting director Kim Williams, Emmy-winning producer and director Matt Brady, producer Andrew Muscato, music industry creative director Robin Seibert, and Emmy-winning director and executive producer Mary Lou Belli. Academy faculty were also on hand to give out awards, including filmmaker and Making the Documentary instructor Janice Engel, School of Music Production and Sound Design for Visual Media Director Brad Hughes, Academic Vice President of Entertainment & Broadcast Media Melissa Sydeman, Faculty Lead of Movement and Acting Lena Hart, and cinematography instructor Eduardo Ramirez.
Camaraderie was on full display throughout the theater, as whoops and cheers rang out for all the winners, as well as the nominees. The Zoom chat was also lit up with emojis and messages of congratulations as soon as someone’s name was announced. The evening was a genuine celebration of collaborative spirit and respect amongst peers.
Below is the full list of NXTUP 2025 winners—congratulations to all!
Picture
“The Client” | Directors: Tay & Wenjie (Victor) Li, Producers: Gill & Tay
Director
Tay & Wenjie (Victor) Le | “The Client”
Personal Project
“The Green Glass Door” | Director: Tommy Harkness
Actress – Comedy
Chuer Huang | “Little Devil”
Actor – Comedy
Scott Lathrom | “Glow”
Performance – Dramedy
Ashley Wilkinson | “Swimming with Sharks”
Actress – Drama
Amiyah Sanders | “Waves”
Actor – Drama
Atlantis Clay | “Waves”
Cinematography – Short Form
Sienna Sparks | “Lost”
Cinematography – Long Form
Nathan Bogdan | “The Basement”
Editing – Short Form
Jonathan Heskes | “Hurt for the Better”
Editing – Long Form
Shang-Che Tsai & Wenjie (Victor) Li | “Paint the History”
Short Film Challenge
“The Basement” | Eduardo C. Torres
Documentary
“Paint the History” | Director: Wenjie (Victor) Li, Producer: Qiaoyu (Julia) Yang
Micro Doc
TIE
“L’Isande” | Director: Kylan Philipona
“I’m Always There” | Director: Joaquin Bacquerie
Music Video
TIE
“Lost” | Eden Moshe
“Rebound Love” | Eden Moshe
Commercial/PSA
“Inverno Nella Baia” | Sofia Castillo
Sound Design
James Winter Montgomery | “Forever West”
Music Score
Kevin Edilson | “Forever West”
Ensemble Acting
“The Savages” | Brooke Worthen, Copney Toler, Atlantis Clay & Ashley Wilkinson
Audience Award: Best Picture
“A Father’s Love”
Audience Award: Actress – Comedy
Stephanie Landing
Audience Award: Actor – Comedy
Joshua Garcia Jones
Audience Award: Actress – Drama
Summer Givens
Audience Award: Actor – Drama
Najee Joyner
Watch the full NXTUP Fest 2025 below.