Southern Utah University’s Student-Directed Film ‘Homestead’ Wins Awards

Southern Utah University's (SUU) student-directed film, "Homestead," has added to its accolades by securing two prestigious awards from the Accolade Global Film Competition. The film, spearheaded by student director Dylan Dalton, received "Awards of Recognition" in both the "Special Purpose Productions" and "College/University/Government" categories.

The Accolade Global Film Competition spotlights outstanding achievements in film, television, videography, and new media. Recognizing projects that either serve as remarkable entertainment or contribute to significant social change, the competition enlists highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry as judges.

Professor Jon Smith, who instructed the advanced film class responsible for "Homestead," expressed satisfaction at the recognition, emphasizing the dual benefit of serving the community and offering students a hands-on learning experience. The film was produced during the spring semester of 2023 at Frontier Homestead State Park in Cedar City, Utah, in honor of the park's 50th anniversary.

"Homestead" narrates the tale of a homesteader ghost choosing to linger at the park indefinitely. The film boasts impressive "ghost special effects" and an engaging storyline, written by Jon Smith, the instructor. Notably, the entire production unfolded on location, providing students with an immersive learning experience.

For Dalton, a local to Cedar City, the project held personal significance. Having visited Homestead State Park on school field trips, he described the experience as "rewarding," transitioning from being a learner about the park to an educator through the film. Dalton acknowledged the film's role in enhancing his skills in directing, crew collaboration, and storytelling.

The success of "Homestead" underscores SUU's Communication program's commitment to nurturing students' screenwriting and video production skills. Through diverse projects encompassing news, online content, sports, public affairs, narrative, experimental, and documentary productions, students gain valuable experience in various aspects of videography and filmmaking. This recognition not only celebrates the creativity and dedication of SUU's students but also highlights the program's dedication to providing a comprehensive and practical education in the world of film and media production.