Documentary Showcase

SOUTHERN BLACK PRIDE: ANNIE MOFFIT’S STORY (AUDIO AND PHOTO)

Nia Brooks

In many cases, when stories are shared about southern African Americans they have a negative tone that highlights their struggles and challenges. For my project, I wanted to create a story that shows success and pride within the Black Community. The story takes place in Holly Springs, MS where Annie Moffit and her business Annie’s Home Cooking exemplify Black Pride. In her interview, she details her upbringing and how she became a business owner. She also details how her business functions within the Holly Springs community. The photos that accompany her interview are meant to be a visual testament to her story as well as make any person watching, hungry, and eager to visit her restaurant and experience it for themselves.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My name is Nia Brooks and I am a Senior at the University of Mississippi. In December of 2024, I will graduate after working on a major in southern studies and minoring in criminal justice. I am originally from Nashville, TN and have lived in the south my entire life. I have always been interested in telling the many stories that exist in the Black Community. I hope my project will not only complete that goal, but honor and well represent the community that it takes place in.

HOTBOX HIBACHI (FILM)

This film explores the everyday process of Hot Box Hibachi food truck, from the raw food prep to the final product.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

My name is William (Bill) Daley. I am a senior majoring in Southern Studies and I am from New Orleans, Louisiana. I have always been interested in art and creating different forms of art.

MELODIES OF OXFORD (FILM)

Melodies of Oxford documents a local college band “South of Somethin’.” I wanted to highlight some of the sounds we hear as we walk through the Square, the Grove, or Fraternity Row. Music is not the driving force that draws people to the town we call home, but it is present everywhere.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

My name is Alexander Deyton and I am a Senior at the University of Mississippi where I am pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Southern Studies. The project I worked on, “Melodies of Oxford” is something that is near and dear to my heart. I am a musician and truly believe that music is not the driving force that draws people to the town we call home, but it is present everywhere. The band, South of Somethin’ is a group of college guys playing smaller gigs with the lead singer’s goal of one day making it to Nashville. I hope this short tells of the true dedication to their own craft that they are so very passionate about.

ANN AT THE CENTER (FILM)

This documentary reflects on the impacts of the late Ann Abadie in the development of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture through the eyes of some of its staff and faculty. Abadie, longtime associate director, was instrumental in the founding and shaping of the Center. As a student who recently arrived at the Center, I had seen much eulogizing and respect for the recently passed Abadie. I was drawn to learn more about a woman who has directly shaped not only my education and that of my classmates, but the field of Southern Studies at large.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Wayne Dowdy is a Southern Studies MA student with a background in cultural heritage development and programming. Dowdy previously worked with the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area. He completed his undergraduate degree in History and Spanish at Millsaps College. He is interested in histories of regional development.

MY FAMILY, OUR YARD (FILM)

My Family, Our Yard is an attempt to document the story of the land that I was raised on, and my family’s emotional connection to it. As a gravitational force in our lives, this land was not received in a traditional fashion. I wanted to show how care for the land has been translated into care for each other, in our family’s case.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

My name is Ryley Fallon, and I am a first-year Southern Studies MA student on the thesis track. I am originally from Lucedale, MS and just finished up my bachelor’s in Raleigh, North Carolina. “My Family, Our Yard” is a video project for 533: Fieldwork & Oral History.

THE REBELATION: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER IN OXFORD (FILM)

My documentary video captures the unforgettable night when the Ole Miss Rebels achieved a historic upset over the #2 team in the country at the time in Oxford. This game when the Rebels defeated the Bulldogs sparked an unparalleled excitement that brought the team and ultimately the community together in a moment of triumph and belief. This documentary showcases more than just the game itself, but the teamwork, emotions, and community spirit that defined the evening.

To develop this project, I created an assortment of materials that allow the viewer to feel like they are at the game and feeling the experience that everyone in the stadium felt that night. The foundation of the documentary is a selection of the game tape that showcases the key plays of the game and crucial moments for the Rebels in the 28-10 victory. These clips capture the skill and intensity that is being put out as a product on the field that the whole country gets to witness.

To add, the documentary is all tied together by the three interviews that were conducted with star players Jared Ivey, Caden Davis, and John Saunders. All three of these players had major contributions in the overall win over the Georgia Bulldogs. Jared Ivey and his defensive line brothers wreaked havoc on the Georgia offense all night long. Caden Davis drilled five field goals, one in the clutch to elevate us over the Bulldogs. John Saunders held down the secondary and caught the game sealing interception that allowed the field to be stormed and the square to go ballistic. Their insights offer a behind-the-scenes view of what goes through the player’s minds. These player interviews provide a different dimension to the overall narrative, showcasing the passion of the players who led the program-changing win.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

My name is Zach Johansen, and I am currently a junior majoring in Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi. I am originally from Suwanee, Georgia where my passion for football first began. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am a proud member of the Ole Miss football team, where I have developed leadership skills, discipline, and a strong sense of teamwork. I have made the All-SEC chancellor’s list twice in my career here at Ole Miss. Outside of academics and athletics, I enjoy watching and analyzing other football and basketball games, spending time with my friends, and playing golf. I am excited to share more about myself and my journey with you through this project.

OUR SWEET MAMAS: A QUEER FOOD LEGACY PROJECT IN “DIXIE” LAND (FILM)

What is queer food? And what does it look like in the South? In the small town of Water Valley in Mississippi, chef and restaurant owner Dixie Grimes serves up a slice of her work that helps us figure out how we can answer these questions.

Our Sweet Mamas is a short documentary film exploring the role of Southern food in Dixie’s life, highlighting how her new restaurant serves the people, both literally and metaphorically, that helped get her where she is today, and revealing what drives her latest project.

Dixie’s focus on old-school Southern cooking, fused with fine-dining technique and international flavors, is an example of queerness in action: taking the traditions and norms and turning them into something more radical; honoring the past while imagining a more diverse, and delicious, future. By bringing communities together over a real-deal, tasty meal, Dixie hopes to move past the divisions sowed in the South, and truly get everyone sitting around the table.

This film is for everyone who is hungry for more – in more ways than one. So, dig in!

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Astrid Knox-McConnell is a first-year MA Southern Studies student originally from Bradford, England. They achieved their BA in History and Politics of the Americas from University College London in 2024, where their dissertation focused on the role of food in queer quotidian protest from the 1970s-1990s. They intend to use their time at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture to expand on this undergraduate work, particularly utilizing oral histories and storytelling to highlight the voices of queer Southerners and champion their foodways.

RIDING THROUGH TIME: THE STORY OF YIMMI STABLES (AUDIO AND PHOTO)

In Riding Through Time: The Story of Yimmi Stables, I set out to capture the connection between people, land, and history. Yimmi Stables is more than a barn; it is a living tapestry of heritage, growth, and transformation. Through this short documentary, I explore how one woman’s vision for a piece of land—rich in both personal and historical significance—has become a sanctuary for horses, children, and the stories that connect them all.

This project weaves together interviews and photography to tell a story of resilience and purpose. The land itself is a character, holding memories of the past while supporting a hopeful future. Horses are its heartbeat, teaching lessons of patience, freedom, and strength to every child who takes the reins. By documenting the journey of Yimmi Stables, I aim to celebrate the enduring spirit of stewardship: the care of animals, the preservation of history, and the nurturing of young minds. My hope is that viewers will feel the profound sense of connection this place fosters—a connection not just to the earth but to one another.

Through this project, I hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the landscapes that shape us and the legacies we have the power to create. Yimmi Stables reminds us that legacy isn’t just something we inherit; it’s something we build and pass forward, one hoofbeat, one story, one vision at a time.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Paige Thorson is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Southern Studies and a minor in Digital Media Studies from Alpharetta, Georgia. Their recent work focuses on documenting family land and horses through video and audio storytelling, capturing the intersection of heritage and modern perspectives. Passionate about storytelling and cultural analysis, they explore themes of Southern identity, generational change, and visual documentation.

KATE BISHOP – REFLECTIONS ON CHICORY MARKET (AUDIO AND PHOTO)

Oxford native, Kate Bishop opened Chicory Market with her husband, John Martin in 2017, purchasing the Farmer’s Market Store from Liz Stagg and Frank Coppola. Mission driven, Chicory has become an Oxford-Lafayette County staple connecting consumers to locally produced, fresh food. In January of 2024, Chicory moved to its current location on North Lamar. It has grown considerably alongside the population and local food movement, now offering meat and produce from nearly fifty local farmers and foodmakers.

In this oral history, Kate and I discussed the challenges expanding into a full service grocery, attitudes towards seasonality, reflections on the Oxford food economy, and her future goals for the store.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Turner Wolffe grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. He completed his B.A. in History at Loyola University New Orleans where he studied foodways and environmental history while also working in restaurant kitchens, bakeries and butcher shops. He is currently an M.A. candidate in Southern Studies and Documentary Expression, planning to further explore the future of sustainable, equitable food production.

THE LUV SHAK: A HIDDEN GEM IN OXFORD, MS (PHOTO)

For this project my intention was to shine light on a hidden gem restaurant in Oxford, MS. By showing the creativity behind this restaurant as a whole, one can see the heart and care of the Southern cuisine found in this Italian restaurant. I planned on showing the different decorations and quirks the design of this restaurant has.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Avery Agee is originally from Alpharetta, Georgia and is working towards her BA in Southern Studies with a minor in Business Administration. Avery plans on graduating in May 2025 with hopes of attending law school in the fall. Avery used this course to deep dive into a restaurant she finds particularly interesting by highlighting the creativity.

OUR WATER TOWER TOWN (PHOTO)

My photographs capture water towers in Oxford, Mississippi. The water towers featured are the blue Oxford water tower off of the square, the Oxford water tower behind South Rec, and the various Ole Miss water towers on campus. Each of these water towers represents the community that they are located in. Water towers are multi-purpose structures. I am drawn to the beauty of them and how they tell the story of the communities around them.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I am Alivia Berryhill, a senior Southern Studies student. I am from a small town in South Carolina. I have always loved and enjoyed creating art and taking photographs.

SPACES IN THE SOUTH: NORTH MISSISSIPPI HILL COUNTRY IDENTITY (PHOTO)

North Mississippi Hill Country (NMHC) lies between the Appalachian and Delta regions and their respective cultural environments. Although some of NMHC’s cultural features were borne out of the interaction between Appalachia and the Delta, and geography and topography reflect this intersection, this region of Mississippi is more than a sum of parts. NMHC posses its own heritage that amounts to more than a culmination of neighboring regions. However, when analyzing NMHC’s identity, it is essential to address the surrounding regional areas that have helped craft its distinct culture, land, and vibrancy.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Ellis Farese is a student at the University of Mississippi pursuing a BFA in creative writing. Ellis grew up in Oxford, Mississippi. Growing up in the Deep South in the early 2000s, and staying here into adulthood has led her to cling to themes such as womanhood, kinship, the South, growth, independence, and loss. She is committed to thoughtful storytelling through poetry, and now photography. Her ambitions and work constantly develop as she grows into adulthood. Her dedication to telling real stories exemplifies my effort to encourage others to grow into their own narratives and find peace within their lives. By practicing self-expression through poetry, she was honored to receive the 2023 Evans-Harrington Creative Writing Award from the University of Mississippi for her poem “Ode to Muscadines.” The award is granted to an undergraduate student who shows promise in creative writing.

TRAILS IN OXFORD (PHOTO)

For this project, I’ve focused on capturing the trails around Oxford, Mississippi. My goal is to showcase the beauty and serenity of these natural spaces, highlighting the unique landscapes and peaceful moments found along the trails. Through this collection of images, I hope to convey the quiet charm of Oxford’s outdoor spaces and offer a visual escape into the heart of this small Southern town.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I’m JP Hogan, a senior at the University of Mississippi, majoring in Southern Studies. I’m originally from Memphis, Tennessee, and I have a strong passion for photography.

LENS INTO A JOURNEY THROUGH SPORTS (PHOTO)

Lens Into a Journey Through Sports is a set of images designed to take viewers on a journey through the world of sports. It begins with the perspective of a little league baseball field’s dugout, showing a glimpse of the field as seen through the eyes of young players dreaming big. The journey then transitions to the collegiate athletics level, showcasing the dedication and hard work done behind the scenes—the “work that’s done in the dark”—that leads to the full stadiums, field storms, and hall-of-fame names. Finally, it moves up to the professional level, featuring images of a potential NBA Rookie of the Year, Dalton Knecht, playing alongside LeBron James, who some refer to as the “Greatest of All Time.” This journey through sports captures the challenges and triumphs, aiming to highlight how perseverance makes the highs even more meaningful.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Liza-Handly Hughes is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee. She is a senior, graduating in May 2025, with a Bachelor of Arts in Southern Studies and a minor in Sport Administration. Her goal is to pursue a career in the sport industry following graduation. Liza-Handly enjoyed learning more about photography as a whole and more specifically the art of capturing sports through a creative angle.

SOUTHERN COMFORT: THE FAMILY OF CITY GROCERY (PHOTO)

For this project I decided to focus on the staff of City Grocery and more importantly how we are a family. I brought my camera to work just to play around with some ideas which brought me to focus on my coworkers. I wanted to capture moments of pre shift, during shift and after shift. My pictures show southern hospitality as well as family.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Gracie is currently getting her BA in Southern Studies with a minor in art at the University of Mississippi. Gracie intends on graduating in the Spring of 2026. Taking this course has showed me to capture the happy moments in life which was my main focus for this final project.

STUCK IN TIME (PHOTO)

I captured pictures of Batesville, Mississippi, and the town feels like it’s stuck in time, with its old buildings, faded signs, and quiet streets. Walking around, I loved how the old brick storefronts and classic homes seemed to tell their own stories. What I enjoyed most was seeing how much history is still alive in Batesville. It reminded me of the importance of preserving places like this, where the past feels so present. Capturing these moments made me appreciate the beauty of time standing still.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My name is EmmaClaire Mitchell, and I’m a junior at the University of Mississippi from St. Simons Island, Georgia, studying Southern Studies with a minor in Education. In my studies, I enjoy focusing on places that feel “stuck in time.” These places tell stories about the past and how it connects to today. I love uncovering these stories and sharing them with others. My goal is to use what I’ve learned to inspire people to connect with history and their own communities.

AT THE CROSSROADS: THE CROSSROADS GIN AND ITS PLACE IN THE DELTA LANDSCAPE (PHOTO)

The Mississippi Delta has long been a source of inspiration for artists and creative thinkers, from William Eggleston’s photography to Eudora Welty’s visual and written narratives, and Oxford’s own William Faulkner. For me, the Delta is not only a source of artistic inspiration but also deeply personal. Having grown up there, I have been fascinated by its landscapes and natural environment since I was a child.

This body of work focuses on the Crossroads Gin in Schlater, MS, and its place within the Mississippi Delta. The Delta is characterized by an endless, flat expanse where the horizon stretches infinitely, and the sky is wide open. Within this vast landscape, cotton gins and other mechanical structures punctuate the natural environment.

By centering on the Crossroads Gin, this project explores the conversation between the land and the industrial architecture. These large industrial forms pale in comparison to the vastness of the Delta’s horizon. Yet their stark, mechanical presence creates a contrast with the organic surroundings.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Sela Ricketts is a visual artist based in Oxford, MS. Originally from the Mississippi Delta, she graduated from the University of Mississippi with degrees in Integrated Marketing Communications and Art. Sela is currently pursuing an MA in Southern Studies at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. Her research focuses on photography and tourism in the American South, with a particular emphasis on New Orleans, Louisiana.

THE CHANGE OF TAYLOR MISSISSIPPI (PHOTOGRAPHY)

Through my work, I aim to capture the transformation of Taylor, Mississippi— showcasing the evolution from the old town to the new. In recent years, Taylor has changed, both in its architecture and population. My goal with these photographs is to highlight the contrast between the town’s historical roots and its modern developments. While the old Taylor still lingers in the aspects of the new town, these images illustrate the profound changes the city has experienced. The photos I’ve taken reflect both the remnants of Taylor’s past and the new, evolving landscape and structures. I wanted to emphasize how, even in the modern aspects of the town, the enduring charm of its small-town character continues to resonate.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My name is Kate Ridenour and I am from Kennesaw, GA. I am a senior majoring in Southern studies and allied health with a minor in recreational therapy. Post graduation, I plan on going to Physicians Assistant school to pursue a career in pediatric healthcare.

THE SOUTH IN BLACK AND WHITE (PHOTOGRAPHY)

For this project, I sought to photograph parts of Oxford and Watervalley and add a black-and-white filter over them instead of enhancing the photo with typical photo editing in color. With this black-and-white theme, I aim to show a nostalgic sense of present-day pictures and look at the South in different colors. When I began editing my photos, the black-and-white filter brought a sense of timelessness and universality. Through black-and-white photography, I was able to strip away distractions of color and clarify the substance of the subjects. I enjoyed taking these photographs and the whole process of this project because this technique has allowed me to focus on light, shadow, texture, and form in photography in a way I haven’t before.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My name is Margi Troxler, and I am from Knoxville, TN. I am a senior majoring in Southern Studies with a minor in Psychology. After graduating in May 2025, I plan to pursue music business with a focus on journalism in the South.

FRAMING FAULKNER’S LEGACY: A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH ROWAN OAK (PHOTO)

I chose to photograph Rowan Oak in Oxford, Mississippi, the former home of literary giant William Faulkner. This historic residence holds profound significance in both American literature and Southern culture, serving as a muse and sanctuary for Faulkner while embodying timeless beauty. From 1930 until his death in 1962, Faulkner lived and wrote within the walls, crafting many of his greatest works, including parts of his Pulitzer Prize-winning novels A Fable and The Reivers. Rowan Oak symbolizes Faulkner’s deep connection to the South and his exploration of themes such as family, time, and decay. The estate’s atmosphere heavily influenced his fictional Yoknapatawpha County, a vivid scene of Southern life and struggles. With its sprawling grounds and ancient trees, the property evokes the echoes of the past that Faulkner intricately wove into his narratives. Standing as a testament to the architectural and cultural traditions of the antebellum South, Rowan Oak offers visitors a tangible connection to the era Faulkner sought to depict, critique, and preserve through its carefully maintained interiors and historical artifacts.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I am Abby Wagner. I am currently a business major who is minoring in Southern Studies and Marketing at the University of Mississippi. I have always loved photographing different buildings, sunsets, and landscapes!

SIGHTS OF THE SOUTH (PHOTO)

&In my project titled “Sights of the South” I aimed to find those specific pieces that are behind the senses that truly make up the South. I felt that one of the things that make the South “The South” is the history as well as old overlooked items that the South is built on. In this project I wanted to step back in time and photograph the south through an old school lens. I took pride in finding center points that I felt best embodied the South and I am proud of what I have captured. And I feel that my pictures all embody the South in their own unique way.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My name is Will Walker, and I am a senior from Savannah, GA. I am new to the photography world. This semester was one of the first times in my life where I picked up a camera, and I have been able to dive in head first and really enjoy everything that comes with photography. I have grown this semester in my capabilities of not only using the camera but knowing how to find a picture and the many different ways one can go about photographing their topic. I am excited to take what I have learned and apply to other passions in my life such as the outdoors and be able to combine them. As well as using the outdoors to continue to grow my abilities as a photographer.

SKATEBOARDING ALLOWED (CONTINUED) (PHOTO)

Skateboarding Allowed began last semester and has evolved into a body of work that focuses on the importance of the skatepark in the American South. Many skateboarders live between never ending fields, kudzu coverings, and cracked parking lots. The skatepark, a public space, is vital to the Southern skateboarder’s survival. It can provide a space for friendship, protection from trespassers, and ensure the passing down of knowledge.

Iain Borden’s book Skateboarding, Space, and the City: Architecture and the body is a foundation piece for this project. Borden brings skateboarding into Henri Lefebvre’s world of space and architecture. Since much of the literature focuses on skateboarders in urban areas, Skateboarding Allowed attempts to bring these ideas to the American South.

The photographs in this project focus on skateboarders who live in Oxford and Lafayette County, Mississippi and the area’s rural and commercial landscapes. Some photographs stand alone, while others are combined to create collages. The collaged images echo the Southern skateboarder’s process of creating new spaces by drawing direct connections to the Mississippi landscape.

The Southern skateboarder’s identity is tied to the landscape in ways West and East Coast skateboarders are not. For the Southern skateboarder, skateable spaces are sacred, and they must continuously reinvent themselves and their spaces. These photographs only show a small portion of the Northern Mississippi’s landscape and what the Oxford Skatepark means and is for skateboarders in this area. Moving forward this body of work will expand to showcase more of this community.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Olivia Whittington is a photographer and videographer from Oxford, MS. Olivia is pursuing an MA degree in Southern Studies from the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. Originally from San Leandro, California, Olivia moved to Mississippi in 2006. She then graduated with a B.A. in Studio Art and a minor in Art History from the University of Mississippi in 2018. Olivia is the Operations Manager for the Southern Documentary Project.

MS CREATES: HIPSTER MAYBERRY (FILM)

Greta Koshenina, Peter Muvunyi, and Athula Samarakoon

Hipster Mayberry showcases Mississippi natives Tim and Susan Lee, known as Bark! This dynamic duo, married for more than forty years, has recently relocated to the small, emerging artist community in Water Valley, MS. The couple’s passion and enthusiasm shine not just through their musical performances but also in every interaction. Committed to promoting the arts in both Oxford and Water Valley, they generously share their varied talents with all those they encounter.

Bark! has been awarded the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters for two of their studio albums. “Weird little rock and roll bands don’t typically receive awards from places called Institute of Arts and Letters,” Tim says. “But it’s our art, and it has meaning,” Susan adds. The inseparable couple finish each other’s sentences and create a space of infectious joy. As Tim and Susan grow together, they lean into the imperfections of art and muse on the fleeting nature of life.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Greta Koshenina is a cyanotypist, documentarian, and curator from Water Valley, Mississippi. Koshenina is pursuing an MFA in Southern Studies Documentary Expression and expects to graduate in May 2025. Her work blends archival family photographs with contemporary images, resulting in surreal photographic collages using the cyanotype technique. Additionally, Greta is developing an experimental short documentary film that explores the fleeting nature of life.

Peter Muvunyi is from Kigali, Rwanda, in East Africa. His journey as a Documentary Filmmaker has been a profound exploration of narratives and human experiences. Working with diverse groups such as genocide survivors, marginalized communities, and medically fragile individuals to amplify their stories, Peter hopes to use his skills to tell stories that resonate and inspire people, raise awareness, and influence positive change and policy in his community through storytelling.

Athula is a Sri Lankan filmmaker whose main focus is documentary films. He completed his graduate studies at the University of Pune. His graduate film on Indian Ragamala Paintings was highly admired. Most recently, he has been engaged in Documentary film projects on Marginalized communities in Sri Lanka. Athula has written articles on Sri Lankan Cinema, Lankan TV, Documentary, and trends in World cinema that have appeared in Cinema Journal and publications.

MS CREATES: COUNTRY PUNK BLACK (FILM)

Christopher Fisher and NEEN

Country Punk Black chronicles the musical journey of Twurt Chamberlain, a genre-bending singer-songwriter from Lexington, Mississippi, to uncover how his lived experiences have influenced his evolving sound. Backed by a soundtrack of Twurt’s unique blend of hip-hop, blues, and rock and roll, the film also delves into his aspirations and inspirations.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

C.C. Fisher is an emerging documentarian and first-year MFA student in Documentary Expression at the University of Mississippi. With a robust academic foundation, including a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Hampton University and a B.A. in History from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, C.C. brings a unique analytical lens to storytelling. His interdisciplinary career spans over eight years in academia, college wrestling coaching, and as a former professional athlete, emphasizing innovation and community impact. A seasoned educator and researcher, C.C. integrates advanced data analysis, AI, and digital marketing into his projects. His work often explores cultural narratives and systemic dynamics, aiming to foster understanding and drive meaningful dialogue.

NEEN. is a documentarian and narrative filmmaker deeply moved by whimsy, joy, justice, and the supernatural. She aims to tell stories of and about Black folk across the diaspora that evoke those elements to uplift, educate, and inspire.

BOURN IN THE VALLEY (EXPERIMENTAL FILM)

Bourn in the Valley is an experimental short documentary that meditates on the transient nature of life. Time unfolds and as my grandmother, great aunt, and father grow old, I watch these videos and see their younger selves move from childhood into adulthood. I weave my personal story with universal truths: seasons change, love ebbs and flows, and life ends and begins.

The film comprises edited archival material captured between approximately 1940 and 1990, primarily filmed by my great-grandfather, Hunter. My family’s narrative is filled with drama, which isn’t overtly depicted in the videos, yet a palpable tension is visible in my family members’ expressions. I embrace the inherent eeriness of the old footage to show this rift between reality and the myth that home videos create. Sounds like birds chirping, clocks ticking, church bells ringing, wind chimes, and rushing water illustrate the passage of time along with the perpetual cycle of life, death, and rebirth. I incorporate poetic elements, both written and narrated by me, to further set the tone. Time is warped using reversed videos and layered elements.

This film serves as a standalone piece that mirrors the personal with the universal. I also envision it projected onto sheer fabric within a larger installation space featuring my cyanotype collages, which also draw from family archives and explore similar themes as the film. These elements combine to create a narrative that is surreal yet familiar, representing personal and collective myths.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Greta Koshenina is a cyanotypist, documentarian, and curator from Water Valley, Mississippi. Koshenina is pursuing an MFA in Southern Studies Documentary Expression and expects to graduate in May 2025. Her work blends archival family photographs with contemporary images, resulting in surreal photographic collages using the cyanotype technique. Additionally, Greta is developing an experimental short documentary film that explores the fleeting nature of life.

WASTED (FILM)

Known in the college football world for the phrase “We may not win every game, but we’ve never lost a party,” the University of Mississippi transforms its campus into a spirited sea of red and blue as more than 64,000 people raise their cups to cheer on their favorite team. The only thing bigger than college football is a messy problem that is often overlooked and underestimated. The goal of this project is to address questions that many people haven’t even considered. If you had to guess how much waste, in tons, is produced just from tailgating, what would your answer be? What is the clean-up process once fans leave the Grove? How about the number of trash cans placed on campus the Friday before a game?

With the help of members from the UM Landscape and Waste Services team and volunteer organizations, WASTED provides a combination of information and visuals to help understand the magnitude of this issue.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Logan Kirkland, an Alabamian turned Mississippian, blends his background in print journalism and visual storytelling to influence both his narrative style and decision-making. Currently, Logan works full-time at the university as an email marketing specialist with the Division of Outreach. In addition to his full-time role, Logan is an adjunct instructor for the University’s Journalism Department, a contributor for the Washington Post, and a contributor to Shutterstock editorial.

One of Logan’s proudest moments as a storyteller was receiving a Robert F. Kennedy award for his contribution to a magazine report that commemorated the 50-year anniversary of the Voting Rights Act in the Mississippi Delta.

Logan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in print and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication, both from the University of Mississippi. Currently, he is pursuing his MFA in documentary expression.

HARMONIES & FLAVORS: THE JOURNEY OF GUEREL KUMBA (FILM)

This documentary explores the life and journey of Guerel Kumba, a chef and musician from Senegal who has lived in the US for more than 23 years. He is a fascinating individual who has experienced life on different continents. The film delves into his life, music, food, and the cultural fusion between the two. It highlights how food and music serve as powerful vehicles for cultural communication, examining Kumba’s culinary innovations and musical contributions. Additionally, the documentary connects his story to broader themes of migration, identity, and adaptability.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Peter Muvunyi is from Kigali, Rwanda, in East Africa. His journey as a Documentary Filmmaker has been a profound exploration of narratives and human experiences. Working with diverse groups such as genocide survivors, marginalized communities, and medically fragile individuals to amplify their stories, Peter hopes to use his skills to tell stories that resonate and inspire people, raise awareness, and influence positive change and policy in his community through storytelling.

BLACKNE$$: TO WHOM DOES IT PROFIT? (FILM)

BLACKNE$$ was created out of a deep need to respond to, question, and critically unpack my frustrations with problematic practices such as digital blackface and cultural appropriation. Creating it gave me room to process my anger constructively. Though the motivation for the project was steeped in rage, it was my goal to educate myself just as much as I sought to educate others. In doing so the project became a creative catharsis that provided an experimental place of pride, play, and understanding. I chose to focus on the financial aspect because it bolstered the narrative in objectivity and is a vital part of why these issues persist. To me, it is also the most insidious part of the issue as it distills the black human experience into a product for financial gains that the black community does not benefit from at large. Striking the right balance between experimentation and heavy historical facts to make clear the cycle of racial exploitation was a challenge. Still, I wanted the film to celebrate Black expression, existence, and persistence – Black being.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

NEEN. is a documentarian and narrative filmmaker deeply moved by whimsy, joy, justice, and the supernatural. She aims to tell stories of and about Black folk across the diaspora that evoke those elements to uplift, educate, and inspire.

RELOCATION TO DISLOCATION: THE VANISHING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF SRI LANKA. (FILM)

These Indigenous people, uprooted from their original ancestral land and displaced in a confluence of cultural systems, have adapted over the course of three generations to face the complexities posed by the new spaces they encounter. All the while they persist in preserving certain essentials of their identity.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Athula is a Sri Lankan filmmaker whose main focus is documentary films. He completed his graduate studies at the University of Pune. His graduate film on Indian Ragamala Paintings was highly admired. Most recently, he has been engaged in Documentary film projects on Marginalized communities in Sri Lanka. Athula has written articles on Sri Lankan Cinema, Lankan TV, Documentary, and trends in World cinema that have appeared in Cinema Journal and publications.

PALIMPSEST OF STRENGTH: PERSONAL JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE (MIXED MEDIA)

Cassandra Hawkin

The inspiration for my project stems from participating in the 2024 Summer Staff Creative Residency and exploring a project to remember my grandmother. My grandmother enjoyed keeping journals, writing letters, and taking photos. Following in her footsteps, I enjoy the same. Using palimpsest, the overlapping of layers of text and images from different times, I am using the idea to demonstrate how resilience is a process as well. Since resilience develops through layered experiences and builds strength through unique life challenges, I am focusing on my own personal journey of resilience. My project explores resilience through personal narratives, written journal excerpts as reflections of personal growth. I used journal entries, photos, stickers, and ephemera as layers of identity to symbolize memory and strength. By connecting personal experience to cultural themes, I am building a sense of self and identity. Tracing the past, which is never fully erased, I explored the intersectionality of personal memory and identity, while being resilient. Using the metaphor of the palimpsest, my project represents how resilience builds over time. I used journal entries and letters to capture personal reflection. The photos of myself, places, and people anchor my project to be a visual narrative. The stickers and symbols that I included add meaning to the layered story. The ephemera that I incorporated represents varying aspects of identity, memory, and resilience. I also incorporated photos using Photoshop to blend visual elements for depth. By digitizing journals, letters, and photos, I was able to scan and prepare the visual elements. Layering letters and journal entries over photos, I blended modes to merge the past and present. Thinking about how resilience should be visualized through layers, I adjusted the opacity to highlight hidden strength that can be found in the written word.

Beginning with autoethnography and reflection, I used my own personal stories as a cultural critique. Letters and journals reflect struggles, resilience, and identity. I linked personal narratives to societal themes to illustrate how resilience reflects cultural expectations. Each layer of memory adds depth to personal growth. My project uses palimpsest as a metaphor for resilience, while illustrating strength is built through overlapping experiences. Journals, letters, photos, and layers reveal how past challenges inform the present and reminds one of the importance reflections are to personal growth.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Being a Southern African American woman, I am deeply invested in the racial, socio-economic, and educational landscapes within the South. I want to use my academic knowledge and work experiences to tell untold stories and create awareness that leads to long-lasting and impactful change within the region. I am fully dedicated to capturing and preserving lived experiences and cultural histories through mixed media, photography, and video. Combining my gaze with personal and historical insights, I strive to highlight perspectives that enlighten, educate, and enrich others by telling stories using archival materials, like photos, letters, and journals, mixed media art, photography, and film. My ultimate mission is to create compelling visual narratives that connect the past to the present, evoke emotions, and inspire personal reflection.

IN SEARCH OF MY MOTHERS (SHORT FILM)

In Search of My Mothers is a short film about how Carrine Harris Bishop, Rhea Williams-Bishop, and Betty Jean Russell Williams power their homes with acts of love, lessons in life, and the language of food. Like so many others, these women have fed and fortified generations with their labor. With this project, I hope to honor and acknowledge the often thankless labor done within their households while also calling into question the labor itself. In addition to that, I hope to explore the notion of cooking as a task associated with the “role of a woman” by creating a space for these women to share their thoughts on “traditional” gender roles and societal standards for black women. Lastly, I hope to highlight the intergenerational connectivity shared between my mothers and me through food-making and use this project to develop a deeper relationship with each of them.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Amirhea Bishop is a student and creative from Madison, MS. Her mission is to highlight, document, and create stories about Southern Black women who have gone unheard and unacknowledged, thus expanding the narrative of the South and black womanhood. She is an alumna of Jackson State University and is a second-year MA student in the Southern Studies program at the University of Mississippi. Amirhea serves as the research assistant to faculty fellow W. Ralph Eubanks for the Black Power at Ole Miss Task Force committee, which documents the stories and preserves the legacy of the Ole Miss 89 through oral histories. She plans to blend different disciplines across multi-media platforms to document and propagate the unabridged stories of the American South that highlight it as a diverse and complex place.

A DAY IN THE LAB (SHORT FILM)

A Day in the Lab is an attempt to capture a day in the life of a group of graduate students in the University’s anatomy department and laboratory. The project aims to follow them through an average day as they attempt to run experiments, teach classes, goof off and navigate the teachings of their mentor Dr. Loenneke and his philosophy of “unstructured structure”.

The inspiration for the project comes from my experiences as a research participant in their laboratory’s experiments over the last two years. Although I received no financial incentive for working with the lab, I discovered that the positive environment cultivated by the students and Dr. Loenneke was often its own reward. Likewise, the students come from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures. In just my time in the lab I have worked with researchers from Japan, Korea, the U.K., Brazil and several U.S. states. Finally, despite the stress of learning and teaching, I believe that by working in close proximity for several hours the students have developed a strong support network that makes up for the exhaustion of grad school.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Walker is an aspiring historian of the U.S. South from Mobile, Alabama. Since he was young, he has been fascinated by storytelling whether through literature or his relatives’ tall tales. He is also fascinated by how these narratives inform our view of the past and present as well as how they change over time. Since finishing his bachelor’s degree, Walker has enjoyed writing, traveling and language learning and is currently pursuing a Souther Studies MA. In his free time he enjoys running on the campus trails, watching football with friends and exploring the library.

EXHALE (PHOTOGRAPHY)

This project dives into natural spaces in (or just outside) Oxford, that have sparked inspiration and created a unique type of stillness for me, and I hope to translate that through my imagery to others. The different landscapes I shot not only feel calm and still as you experience the magic of the place in person, but I hope that my photos can actually feel peaceful and slow you down as well. I aim through my work to show the natural side of Oxford that provides a pause amidst the buzz, and that feels like an exhale. I want this project to inspire people to go exploring and consider ways they can rediscover what this place has to offer. There is so much more to see in this area than what most people traditionally think of – there is true richness and depth to find… if only you go searching. Once you find this Oxford, you unlock a completely new side; you just have to peel back the layers. After all, you don’t have to go far to feel like you’re a world away.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Hi, I’m Sarah Caroline Crall, and I’m currently a senior in the Honors College pursuing a degree in visual journalism and environmental studies. I have a deep love for the natural beauty of our world, and I’ve always been inspired to create art that illuminates its magic. While so much of my love for nature and storytelling was shaped by growing up in the tropics down in Palm Beach, FL, over the years I’ve spent as a student in Mississippi, I’ve actually grown exponentially in my desire to create and to discover landscapes rich in abundant beauty as well. I hope to someday be able to make a wide impact through my photography and videography work in bringing others to a deeper appreciation of natural spaces and a desire for protecting our planet.

HOME AND PLACE (SHORT FILM)

Home and Place is an exploration of enslaved and coerced labor at Rowan Oak, dating back to the site’s antebellum history. From 1844 to 1860, The Home Place in Oxford was a vacation home for Colonel Robert Sheegog, an index of the Colonel’s plantation footprint. Sheegog enslaved a total of at least 80 people between the Home Place and two cotton plantations out in the country.

This project was inspired by literary interpretations of Rowan Oak and new discoveries by the university’s archeology department. Equally important were my walks around the grounds while the dig took place. My choice to shoot handheld is part of this desire for the viewer to join me on a walk around the grounds while I offer an alternative understanding of the space. Another source of inspiration for this project is Fintan O’Toole’s description of Martin McDonagh’s plays as pre-modern superimposed over the postmodern like picture in picture. I hope to depict this complication of place, memory, and identification through my editing choices.

My intention is to complicate the singular understanding of Rowan Oak as Faulkner’s home and make space to consider the debt we owe to the labor of enslaved people in the interpretation of antebellum historical sites.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Garrett is a Nashvillian, photographer, and aspiring film and media critic. Growing up, he was fascinated by cultural mythologies and symbolism, from Eurpides’ Medea to Star Wars. He is interested in visual cultures of big and small screens with some theology and philosophy in the mix. Currently, his favorite movie is The Boss of It All by Lars Von Trier. To offset the stress of graduate school, Garrett enjoys long walks, scrolling through YouTube shorts, and watching Bravo reality television.

EVIDENCE | (SHORT FILM)

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Lucy Gaines is a writer and documentarian in pursuit of an M.A. in Southern Studies and Documentary Expression at The University of Mississippi. Previously, she earned her B.F.A in Art and B.A. in English Literature from Rhodes College before working across creative disciplines to hone her multimedia storytelling approach. Her current research and creative projects seek to challenge and mobilize the definitive “sense of place” once attributed to the American South.

WASTED (SHORT FILM)

Known in the college football world for the phrase “We may not win every game, but we’ve never lost a party,” the University of Mississippi transforms its campus into a spirited sea of red and blue as more than 64,000 people raise their cups to cheer on their favorite team. The only thing bigger than college football is a messy problem that is often overlooked and underestimated. The goal of this project is to address questions that many people haven’t even considered. If you had to guess how much waste, in tons, is produced just from tailgating, what would your answer be? What is the clean-up process once fans leave the Grove? How about the number of trash cans placed on campus the Friday before a game? With the help of members from the UM Landscape and Waste Services team and volunteer organizations, WASTED provides a combination of information and visuals to help understand the magnitude of this issue.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Logan Kirkland, an Alabamian turned Mississippian, blends his background in print journalism and visual storytelling to influence both his narrative style and decision-making. Currently, Logan serves as an email marketing specialist with the University of Mississippi’s Division of Outreach. In addition to his full-time role, Logan is an adjunct instructor for the University’s Journalism Department, a freelancer for the Washington Post, and a contributor to Shutterstock editorial.

One of Logan’s proudest moments as a storyteller was receiving a Robert F. Kennedy award for his contribution to a magazine report that commemorated the 50-year anniversary of the Voting Rights Act in the Mississippi Delta.

Logan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in print and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication, both from the University of Mississippi. Currently, he is pursuing his MFA in documentary expression.

HILL COUNTRY HARMONY (SHORT FILM)

This documentary aims to explore deeper ties of Hill Country music with African traditional music. Through interviews with different musicians, historians, and musicologists, this documentary will aim to find out if there are any African musical instruments or lyrics that may have found their way into the fabric of Hill Country Music.

BEYOND THE FRAME: A JOURNEY INTO OXFORD's HUMAN TAPESTRY (PHOTOGRAPHY)

In a world where photographs often leave viewers with unanswered questions and a lack of context, my project sought to remedy this by capturing portraits of Oxford residents and pairing each image with a brief sentence or two that reveals the participants’ messages to the world. My intention with each picture is to provide a more impactful and immersive experience for viewers and allow them to delve into the emotions, stories, and hidden narratives concealed within the frame.

In the field, my process involved an ongoing dialogue with the people I encountered in the streets of Oxford. seeking to understand their unique perspectives, I approached each subject with an open mind. The resulting images serve as windows into the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds, capturing their unique and compelling stories.

The primary audience for my work are Oxford residents and anyone intrigued by the intricate web of human stories that compose Oxford’s human tapestry.. I aspire for my work to serve as a window into others’ lives, fostering a deeper understanding of the shared human experience that unites us all.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Peter Muvunyi is from Kigali, Rwanda, in East Africa. His journey as a Documentary Filmmaker has been a profound exploration of narratives and human experiences. Working with diverse groups such as genocide survivors, marginalized communities, and medically fragile individuals to amplify their stories, Peter hopes to use his skills to tell stories that resonate and inspire people, raise awareness, and influence positive change and policy in his community through storytelling.

DOS AGUAS: WHERE THE RIVER MEETS THE SEA (SHORT FILM)

Crystal is a children’s mental health practitioner whose faith in African traditional religions gives her the guidance and strength necessary to withstand the emotional weight of her profession. DOS AGUAS: Where the River Meets the Sea delves into her candid reflection on the connection between her work and spiritual practice while visually venturing with her on her visits to a waterfall in Norcross, Georgia, and a patch of raw beach in Pensacola, Florida. There, she gives offerings to Yemoja and Ośun, the divine archetypes that reflect her life’s mission and her sense of self.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

NEEN. is a first-generation American screenwriter and director who hails from sunny South Florida. In her narrative work, she loves to explore historical fiction, mystical realism, fantasy, and futurism. In her documentary work she is interested in unearthing and preserving stories about the global South, Black lore, joy and freedom of expression. Her character-driven work is rooted in her love for Black heroes real and imagined, the nuanced worlds in which they live, and a desire to see them adequately represented, cherished, and lauded in film and television.

HERE, THERE (PHOTOGRAPHY)

This collection of photographs is a map that leads beyond the boundaries of Oxford, while simultaneously existing distinctly within them. Through the intimacy that I have formed within the space and with those that make up its community, I explore how my presence here is understood and how the area exists as an emblem for the world beyond it. Documenting Oxford in this way has led me on an exploration of themes such as destruction, renewal, and liminal spaces – both small and large. These concepts symbolize the connection between the town and the world at large and also give room for me to coexist within each as I consistently form and reform the idea of the spaces that I occupy. As the borders between the real and imaginary are built and broken down, I am better able to understand the transient nature of my experiences in Oxford and the constant ebb and flow that accompanies the town and the world beyond it.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Charlie Pappas hails from Memphis and is a first year student in the Southern Studies MA program. He graduated from Sewanee in 2018 with a degree in studio arts and used his time there to develop his photographic practices. His interests lie in how identities are shaped through foodways and the ways in which they hold communities together and separate them.

INTO THE SWAMP (SHORT FILM)

Swamps often have a negative stigma attached to them, but should you look closer you would realize that they are a complex ecosystem teeming with life. I chose to document the Chakchiuma Swamp in hopes to showcase the wonders of these environments and dispel any misconceptions about them. Most swamps in the South are mistreated and derogatorily labeled as “Dump Lake,” but in reality, they are fascinating places to visit and explore. Through my work, I aim to raise awareness about the life in these swamps hopefully, inspire others to witness the profound beauty that emerges when one ventures into the heart of the swamp.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Hello, my name is Sela Ricketts. I am a visual artist currently located in Oxford, MS. I graduated from The University of Mississippi with degrees in IMC and Art. In addition to the artistic schooling I received at Ole Miss, I supplemented it with instruction in special effects and naturalist artistic practices. I am now a graduate student at Ole Miss studying film and tourism in the Southern Studies department. While my primary medium is sculpture, I am beginning my foray into film and documentary studies. I’m excited about learning and growing my artistic skill, starting with my short film, Into the Swamp, and I look forward to the narratives I can weave in the future.

LOVING BILL (SHORT FILM)

This short biographical documentary reveals the sublte relationship between William Faulkner and Meta Carpenter from her perspective.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Athula is a film Sri Lankan filmmaker whose main focus is on Documentary films. He completed his graduate studies at the University of Pune. His graduate film on Indian Ragamala Paintings was highly admired. Most recently, he has been engaged in a Documentary film projects on Marginalized communities in Sri Lanka. Athula has written articles on Sri Lankan Cinema, Lankan TV, Documentary, trends in World cinema that have appeared in Cinema Journal and publications.

SOUTH TRAIL (SHORT FILM)

I have always enjoyed being in nature and felt a special connection with it. It is a kind of meditation for me. When I arrived at Oxford, the first thing I looked for was a place where I could go for walking, hiking and running. I found a South Trail nearby and started exploring it. I was impressed by the woods when I first visited there. There is a big wide straight main trail and different numbers of sub trails, small ponds, wooden bridges and biking trails. I did my first field work assignment there.

I also discovered a small organization called Wonder Walks run by Mrs. Katie. It is about outdoor/nature education for the kids. The kids enjoy the experience so far and are always excited to come into the woods. I think it is very important for the kids to spend time in nature and understand it very closely.

My film will simply show the beauty, activities and importance of the South Trail. I will use different landscape shots without any subjects to show the beauty of the Trail. My film will show the place in two different seasons: summer and fall. Likewise, the activities will include kids hiking, playing and painting. Lastly, I will use happy portrait shots of the kids to show the importance of the place. My documentary will be non-narrative and observational. I will try to use my cinematography skills and try different techniques.

MR. BROWN’S FARM (PHOTOGRAPHY)

Mr. Brown is a local farmer based in Water Valley, Mississippi. He is a senior citizen who has been farming for 43 years, following the footsteps of his parents. He grows mushrooms, green vegetables, fruits and herbs on his farm, and raises livestock such as chickens and goats. He occasionally gets some help, but most of the work on the farm is done by himself, from operating machines and building structures to taking care of everything on the farm. He brings his products to the Oxford community market for sale. He believes that community markets are a very good platform for local independent farmers to sell their products and connect with customers.

This project aims to simply show his journey from farm to market and his love for farming despite many challenges. He is a kind and generous person who loves to share his story. You can see pictures of him working on the farm and selling his products in the market.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My name is Ashish Shrestha and I am a self-motivated film maker and traveler from Nepal. My interest in film making stems from my passion for traveling. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I started exploring the rural parts of my country, especially the Himalayan region. I was fascinated by the diversity of people, cultures, communities and places that I encountered, and I felt the urge to share their stories. I learned film making through the internet and from my friends. My country is my biggest inspiration for my film making. I love cinematography and editing, and I want to improve my storytelling skills. I am an outdoor person who enjoys discovering new places, foods, cultures and people.

DELTA BLOOD, DELTA BLUES (SHORT FILM)

With ancestral Blues legends guiding his guitar strums, Terry “Big T” Williams is committed to more than the success of being a Delta Blues musician. Williams illustrates that the Blues is deeper than a constant state of heartbreak, pain, or struggle, and can be used as an effective method to uplift one’s community and its residents.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Jai Williams is a dual degree graduate student and southern photographer currently based in Mississippi. Previously a Nathalie Dupree and currently a Fullerton and Academic Excellence Fellow, her focus touches upon the erasure and reclamation of Black land ownership, the impact of environmental injustices on Black communities, in addition to, the spiritual connection of Black people within the southern landscape.