
To celebrate another successful year at the LMU School of Film and Television, the community joined together to honor students at the 2023 SFTV Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 4.
“It’s our goal in SFTV to develop the next generation of storytellers and influencers who create impactful stories and shape a more inclusive and equitable world. These students have embodied that mission, and we couldn’t be prouder to call them LMU Lions,” Dean Joanne Moore says.
On behalf of the faculty and staff, congratulations to all graduating SFTV award winners:
Recipients of the SFTV Awards
The SFTV Awards recognize excellence in each department. Awardees are carefully selected based on talent, citizenship, and leadership.
Outstanding Undergraduates
- Animation Award: Luke Raymaker and Sheldon Williams
- Recording Arts Award: Sam Gazarian
- Michael Peters Screenwriting Award: Molly McCarthy
- Film, Television, and Media Studies Award: Cobe Alvarez
- Production Award: Taylor Garcia
- The Ian Conner Cinematography Award: Milena Mooradian
Outstanding Graduates
- Writing and Producing for Television Award: Anna Yamamoto
- Writing for the Screen Award: Sarah Juma
- Production Award: Dakota Fitzsimmons
Recipients of the Student Commencement Awards
The Student Commencement Awards recognize program scholars who have achieved the highest grade-point averages in their respective departments and have contributed significantly to the LMU Community.
Outstanding Undergraduates
- Animation Award: Abigail R. Smith
- Film, Television, and Media Studies Award: Nelea Fong
- Recording Arts Award: Samuel Richard Gazarian
- Film and Television Production Award: Ryan Daniel McCue
- Screenwriting Award: Gwyneth Suzanne Bechunas
- School of Film and Television College Award: Ryan Daniel McCue
Outstanding Graduates
- Film and Television Production Award: Ashley Bernadette Blalock
- Writing and Producing for Television: Christopher McCarthy
- Screenwriting: Zoe Katzen
- Graduate Student of the Year: Emily A. Kuklinski
Recipients of the Student Service and Leadership Awards
The Student Service and Leadership Awards recognize students who have distinguished themselves as leaders in service “with and for others.”
- Presidential Citation: Gwyneth Bechunas (SCWR), Tomi Kufel (PROD) & Rachael Fisher (SCWR)
- Raymunde McKay, R.S.H.M. Award: Yukana Inoue (FTVS) & Ruby Walker (FTVS)
- Interfraternal Scholar of the Year: Madeleine Kilroy (PROD + SCWR)
- Ignatian Award: Tomi Kufel (PROD)