BISFA Student Earns Prestigious National Award for Directorial Achievement

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is celebrating a significant achievement by Liam Pullens, a student slated to graduate from the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) in 2025. Pullens has been honored with the National Best Student Director award in the 2025 National Student Production Awards, an accolade presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Foundation, the organization responsible for the renowned Emmy® Awards. This national recognition signifies a high level of distinction for student filmmakers.

Pullens’ work navigated a highly competitive, multi-stage judging process. His submission first triumphed at the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter level, where over 1,700 entries from student creators in the region were submitted. Winners from each chapter then advanced to the national competition, where industry professionals assessed submissions based on their creativity, technical execution, storytelling capabilities, and overall quality. The national award underscores not only Pullens’ talent and directorial vision but also highlights the effectiveness of BISFA’s media and filmmaking programs in nurturing students prepared for demanding creative fields.

Pullens, who graduated from BISFA’s Photo and Cinema Department, a Career and Technical Education program, directed a short film titled “SYD.” This film was developed during the 2023-2024 academic year as part of his Elective Filmmaking Class. In addition to directing, Pullens also served as the editor and cinematographer for “SYD.” The film’s narrative follows Adam, a solitary character who forms a symbiotic relationship with an AI assistant. The story explores the AI’s inability to accept its diminishing relevance and its subsequent efforts to maintain its involvement.

The production of “SYD” involved a collaborative effort across various artistic disciplines at BISFA. Students and staff from different departments contributed to the film. Avery Morgan from Creative Writing served as co-director and co-writer, and also acted in the film. Calleigh Hoffman, also from Creative Writing, was a screenwriter and actor. Anders Skjeveland from Visual Arts took on an acting role, while Nathan Lushbaugh from Theatre provided voice acting. Zach Rossi, from Instrumental Music, contributed as the art director. Kristen Green, lead teacher and faculty advisor for the Photo and Cinema Department, and Deb Irwin, a Creative Writing teacher, were also involved, along with Brandy Merchant, a Visual Arts teacher.

Previously, “SYD” garnered the Best Student Film Award at the 2024 Maryland International Film Festival and was selected for the All-American High School Film Festival in New York City, recognized as one of the largest student film festivals in the country. In 2024, Pullens also received the Best Student Director Award from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of NATAS. He is currently engaged as a production assistant with a film crew in Washington, D.C.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Washington County Public Schools.

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