FILM STUDIES PROGRAM
The SBIFF Film Studies Program brings 30 undergraduate students from all around the U.S. to town during the Film Festival, to take part in a packed curriculum that turns the festival into an interactive classroom. Participants get priority access to any of the films, SBIFF’s acclaimed Panel Series, filmmaker seminars, Tributes, as well as intimate Q&As with filmmakers, talent, and other professionals.
We prioritize students from areas or colleges that don’t have access to in-person movies, or they don’t have a film studies program in their schools or haven’t been to a film festival before.
Application deadline date: Monday, October 28th, 2025
STUDENTS FROM OUTSIDE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY:
To Apply, you must submit the following:
– Application
– Statement of Intent
– Unofficial Transcript
Thank you for those that applied to SBIFF’s Film Studies Program. Applicants will hear back by in early/mid-December.
Please email Claire with any program or application questions: claire@sbiff.org
2025 Participants
Aaron Hirschhorn – Washington University in St. Louis
Adam Hobza – University of Oklahoma
Alejandra Esparza – University of Texas at San Antonio
Ami Asakawa – University of Hawaii Manoa
Andrew Lamm – Ringling College of Art and Design
Ayan Harris – Hampton University
Brian Bortz – The University of Oklahoma
Brody Clasen – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Cristy Mariné – Elon University
Eli Hill – Dartmouth College
Erin Tonix – Auburn University
Jamauri Grice – Radford University
Jaleaha Coates – Hampton University
Jazzy Villarreal – University of Texas at San Antonio
Jada Knight – Syracuse University
Jordan Storm – University of California, Riverside
Kellen Brown – Hampton University
Jayden Woods – University of Texas at San Antonio
Maria Fernanda Yescas – University of Arizona
Maya Keegan – University of Washington
Marianne Montalban – University of Oklahoma
McKenna Yates – University of Colorado Boulder
Melanie Wright- Arizona State University
Mike Zavala – California State University Long Beach
Nia Beane – Washington University in St. Louis
Nick Harty – University of Pennsylvania
Nolan Walley – University of Texas at Austin
Noah Cotton – University of Texas at San Antonio
Oscar Diaz – California State University Long Beach
Pat Gomez-Lopez – Cal Poly Humboldt
Riley Palma – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Runeong (Edith) Liu – University of Chicago
Samuel Barlet – Vanderbilt University
Sebastian Bustamante Ceja – San Francisco State University
Shelbi Powell – Western Colorado University
Steph Elizondo – Arizona State University (Tempe)
Sruja Peruka – University of Texas at Dallas
Tess Peyton – University of Washington
Zoe Arscott – University of Miami
Zoe Reed – Cal Poly Humboldt
Adam Hobza – University of Oklahoma
Alejandra Esparza – University of Texas at San Antonio
Ami Asakawa – University of Hawaii Manoa
Andrew Lamm – Ringling College of Art and Design
Ayan Harris – Hampton University
Brian Bortz – The University of Oklahoma
Brody Clasen – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Cristy Mariné – Elon University
Eli Hill – Dartmouth College
Erin Tonix – Auburn University
Jamauri Grice – Radford University
Jaleaha Coates – Hampton University
Jazzy Villarreal – University of Texas at San Antonio
Jada Knight – Syracuse University
Jordan Storm – University of California, Riverside
Kellen Brown – Hampton University
Jayden Woods – University of Texas at San Antonio
Maria Fernanda Yescas – University of Arizona
Maya Keegan – University of Washington
Marianne Montalban – University of Oklahoma
McKenna Yates – University of Colorado Boulder
Melanie Wright- Arizona State University
Mike Zavala – California State University Long Beach
Nia Beane – Washington University in St. Louis
Nick Harty – University of Pennsylvania
Nolan Walley – University of Texas at Austin
Noah Cotton – University of Texas at San Antonio
Oscar Diaz – California State University Long Beach
Pat Gomez-Lopez – Cal Poly Humboldt
Riley Palma – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Runeong (Edith) Liu – University of Chicago
Samuel Barlet – Vanderbilt University
Sebastian Bustamante Ceja – San Francisco State University
Shelbi Powell – Western Colorado University
Steph Elizondo – Arizona State University (Tempe)
Sruja Peruka – University of Texas at Dallas
Tess Peyton – University of Washington
Zoe Arscott – University of Miami
Zoe Reed – Cal Poly Humboldt
2024 Participants
Abby Wilkins - Middlebury College
Alan Zhou - Washington University in St. Louis
Anisa Pouriet - Bowdoin College
Aryaman Jaiswal – Washington University in St. Louis
Ashley Hale - University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Aylin Atzin – Middlebury College
Clarimond Braun - University of Miami
Charisma Ganye – University of Oklahoma
Elizangi Araujo - Boston University
Inaijah-Iman Irvin-Conyers – Middlebury College
Jake Watts – Montana State University
James Ninneman – Boston University
Jessi Calidonio – Dartmouth College
Jillian Nelson – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
John Torpey – Middlebury College (Vermont)
Jonah Slaghekke – Boston University
Jose Pereira – University of Rochester
Kathleen Valent – University of Miami
Kaylani Riley – UC Irvine
Kristina Thomas - CSU Long Beach
Maya Nakamura Belt – Cal State University Long Beach
Maxwell Pociask - Boston University
Naomi Ohman – Montana State University
Natasha Paago - UCLA
Nicky Gonzalez - University of Miami
Pat Wang – Washington University in St. Louis
Rafeeat Bishi - Boston University
Riley Nelson - University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Wil McGee – California State Long Beach
Yazan Mohammad - Rutgers University
Alan Zhou - Washington University in St. Louis
Anisa Pouriet - Bowdoin College
Aryaman Jaiswal – Washington University in St. Louis
Ashley Hale - University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Aylin Atzin – Middlebury College
Clarimond Braun - University of Miami
Charisma Ganye – University of Oklahoma
Elizangi Araujo - Boston University
Inaijah-Iman Irvin-Conyers – Middlebury College
Jake Watts – Montana State University
James Ninneman – Boston University
Jessi Calidonio – Dartmouth College
Jillian Nelson – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
John Torpey – Middlebury College (Vermont)
Jonah Slaghekke – Boston University
Jose Pereira – University of Rochester
Kathleen Valent – University of Miami
Kaylani Riley – UC Irvine
Kristina Thomas - CSU Long Beach
Maya Nakamura Belt – Cal State University Long Beach
Maxwell Pociask - Boston University
Naomi Ohman – Montana State University
Natasha Paago - UCLA
Nicky Gonzalez - University of Miami
Pat Wang – Washington University in St. Louis
Rafeeat Bishi - Boston University
Riley Nelson - University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Wil McGee – California State Long Beach
Yazan Mohammad - Rutgers University
2023 Participants
Daniel Jackson – University of Oklahoma
Seth Householder – University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Riley Card – Washington University in St. Louis
Maeren Quirke – Northwestern University
Leo Witzke – University of Texas at Austin
Megan Jerabek – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Hannah Stevens – Washington University in St. Louis
Jules Crosby – University of Miami
Arlette Rosas – CSU Long Beach
Abbie Szewczyk – University of Miami
Sheri Tarrer – University of Illinois at Chicago
Ana Mendoza Torres – CSU Long Beach
Victoria De Santiago – University Of Colorado Boulder
Anandi Bien-Aimé – University of Miami
Miranda Comstock – University of California, Davis
Dylan Rosenthal – Washington University in St. Louis
Mayrav Estrin – Brown University
Rehana Morita – University of California, Irvine
Martin Gonzalez – UCLA
Jayla Coleman – Washington University in St. Louis
Fiona Donhiser – Eastern Washington University
Trevor Koski – University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
Isabella Espinoza Palomares – CSU Long Beach
Ben Choi – Clarkson University
Carson Lommers – University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Shaun Rousso – Washington University in St Louis
Jude Sampson – CSU Long Beach
Wyatt Frantz – University of Texas at San Antonio
Daniel Garcia – Cal Poly Humboldt
Devon Boyer – University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
2022 Participants
Payton Soehn – University Of Central Florida
Kat Morgan – Colorado Film School – Community College of Aurora
Braden Wells – Middle Tennessee State University
Yunkyo Moon-Kim – Northwestern University
Desmond Loh – Cal State Northridge
Helen Aharonian – Cal State Northridge
Erika Martinez – Cal State Northridge
Felipe Pimentel Carneiro – Cal State Northridge
Joan Merise – Ohio State University
Jocelyn Gomez – Cal State Northridge
Christine La – University of Minnesota
William Turner – Middle Tennessee State University
Savannah Whisenhunt – University of Minnesota
Benjamin Lee – Cal State Northridge
Patience Cox – Ohio State University
Rene Marcelle – University of Arizona
Cheyenne Knapp – Colorado Film School
Kazuhiro – Salvador University of Hawaii at Manoa
Jack Nelson – Bowdoin College
Kat Morgan – Colorado Film School – Community College of Aurora
Braden Wells – Middle Tennessee State University
Yunkyo Moon-Kim – Northwestern University
Desmond Loh – Cal State Northridge
Helen Aharonian – Cal State Northridge
Erika Martinez – Cal State Northridge
Felipe Pimentel Carneiro – Cal State Northridge
Joan Merise – Ohio State University
Jocelyn Gomez – Cal State Northridge
Christine La – University of Minnesota
William Turner – Middle Tennessee State University
Savannah Whisenhunt – University of Minnesota
Benjamin Lee – Cal State Northridge
Patience Cox – Ohio State University
Rene Marcelle – University of Arizona
Cheyenne Knapp – Colorado Film School
Kazuhiro – Salvador University of Hawaii at Manoa
Jack Nelson – Bowdoin College
2021 Participants
Alexandria Hale – Alabama State University
Alexandra Hayden – Belmont University
Benjamin Lee – Cal State Northridge
Braden Wells – Middle Tennessee State University
Brenna White – University of California, Irvine
Cole Marvin, Belmont University
Christine La – University of Minnesota
Claudia Sepulveda – Cal State Northridge
Cheyenne Knapp – Colorado Film School
Desmond Loh – Cal State Northridge
Emiliano Silva – University of Minnesota
Erika Martinez – Cal State Northridge
Felipe Pimentel Carneiro – Cal State Northridge
Helen Aharonian – Cal State Northridge
Jack Nelson – Bowdoin College
Jiaxu Jin – University of Tulsa
Joan Merise – Ohio State University
Jocelyn Gomez – Cal State Northridge
Kaiti Barta – Carnegie Mellon University
Kazuhiro Salvador – University of Hawaii at Manoa
Lucas Anotado – University of California, Irvine
Patience Cox – Ohio State University
Payton Soehn – University Of Central Florida
Rene Marcelle – University of Arizona
Savannah Whisenhunt – University of Minnesota
Shelly Sampon – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Valentina Disacco – University of California, Irvine
William Turner – Middle Tennessee State University
Yunkyo Moon-Kim – Northwestern University
Alexandra Hayden – Belmont University
Benjamin Lee – Cal State Northridge
Braden Wells – Middle Tennessee State University
Brenna White – University of California, Irvine
Cole Marvin, Belmont University
Christine La – University of Minnesota
Claudia Sepulveda – Cal State Northridge
Cheyenne Knapp – Colorado Film School
Desmond Loh – Cal State Northridge
Emiliano Silva – University of Minnesota
Erika Martinez – Cal State Northridge
Felipe Pimentel Carneiro – Cal State Northridge
Helen Aharonian – Cal State Northridge
Jack Nelson – Bowdoin College
Jiaxu Jin – University of Tulsa
Joan Merise – Ohio State University
Jocelyn Gomez – Cal State Northridge
Kaiti Barta – Carnegie Mellon University
Kazuhiro Salvador – University of Hawaii at Manoa
Lucas Anotado – University of California, Irvine
Patience Cox – Ohio State University
Payton Soehn – University Of Central Florida
Rene Marcelle – University of Arizona
Savannah Whisenhunt – University of Minnesota
Shelly Sampon – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Valentina Disacco – University of California, Irvine
William Turner – Middle Tennessee State University
Yunkyo Moon-Kim – Northwestern University
2020 Participants
Ana Mathews – University of Colorado – Boulder
Anna Robinson – Rutgers University – New Brunswick
Beatrice Endler – Scripps College
Chunyang Wang – Swarthmore College
Diana Alanis – Chapman University
Emily Staten – Bowdoin College
Frances Grace Mortel – Eastern Washington University
Helia Gagnon – Yale University
Isabella Chirico – University of Kentucky
Javin Lu – Princeton University
Joshua Contreras – University of Colorado – Boulder
Julianne Kalec – University of Dayton
Kelsey Hodge – Southern Methodist University
Kevin McGee – University of New Mexico
Kyriessa Lane – University of Wyoming
Laura Anderson – University of New Mexico
Liam Parker – University of Alabama
Maram Elnagheeb – Duke University
Michelle Herrera – Western Michigan University
Mina Dibonge – Carnegie Mellon University
Natalie Mosso – University of California, Irvine
Nicholas Lipari – Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Parker Stenseth – University of North Dakota
Preston Blaney – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Roberto Soto – The University of Texas at Austin
Roxanna Stevens Ibarra – University of Arizona
Sarah Hass – Loyola University Chicago
Sebastian Alfonzo – University of Minnesota
Will Hella – Washington University in St. Louis
Xenia Matthews – The University of the Arts
Anna Robinson – Rutgers University – New Brunswick
Beatrice Endler – Scripps College
Chunyang Wang – Swarthmore College
Diana Alanis – Chapman University
Emily Staten – Bowdoin College
Frances Grace Mortel – Eastern Washington University
Helia Gagnon – Yale University
Isabella Chirico – University of Kentucky
Javin Lu – Princeton University
Joshua Contreras – University of Colorado – Boulder
Julianne Kalec – University of Dayton
Kelsey Hodge – Southern Methodist University
Kevin McGee – University of New Mexico
Kyriessa Lane – University of Wyoming
Laura Anderson – University of New Mexico
Liam Parker – University of Alabama
Maram Elnagheeb – Duke University
Michelle Herrera – Western Michigan University
Mina Dibonge – Carnegie Mellon University
Natalie Mosso – University of California, Irvine
Nicholas Lipari – Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Parker Stenseth – University of North Dakota
Preston Blaney – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Roberto Soto – The University of Texas at Austin
Roxanna Stevens Ibarra – University of Arizona
Sarah Hass – Loyola University Chicago
Sebastian Alfonzo – University of Minnesota
Will Hella – Washington University in St. Louis
Xenia Matthews – The University of the Arts
2019 Participants
Alyssa Harden – Drexel University
Ana Zambrana – Univ. of Central Florida
Chukwuma Egbuzie – Clark University
Courtney Green – Yale University
Emma Fuchs – Smith College
Eric Barragan – University of Alaska
Grace Wood – University of Kansas
Grace Zhang – Pratt Institute
Janie Luper – University of Tulsa
Jessie Smith – Wheaton College
John Castro – University of Minnesota
John Gosselin – Middlebury College
Katie Hopkins – Saint Norbert College
Kharrington DeBose – Kansas City Art Institute
Kira Findling – Oberlin College
Lonnae Hickman – DePaul University
Makena Duffy – University of Hawaii
Maricielo Ampudia Gutierrez – George Mason University
Mayra Cruz – University of North Texas
Molly Marcy – Castleton University
Olivia Ek – Emerson
Rachel Ledesma – Chapman
Robert Bushell – Loyola Marymount
Salsabila Nurhidajat – Vanderbilt
Scotlin Francis – Southern Methodist University
Shahriar Islam – Rutgers University
Shoshi Hansen – Wake Forest University
Stacey Ramirez – Texas State University
Wade Scanlan – University of Alabama
William Mai – University of Wisconsin
Ana Zambrana – Univ. of Central Florida
Chukwuma Egbuzie – Clark University
Courtney Green – Yale University
Emma Fuchs – Smith College
Eric Barragan – University of Alaska
Grace Wood – University of Kansas
Grace Zhang – Pratt Institute
Janie Luper – University of Tulsa
Jessie Smith – Wheaton College
John Castro – University of Minnesota
John Gosselin – Middlebury College
Katie Hopkins – Saint Norbert College
Kharrington DeBose – Kansas City Art Institute
Kira Findling – Oberlin College
Lonnae Hickman – DePaul University
Makena Duffy – University of Hawaii
Maricielo Ampudia Gutierrez – George Mason University
Mayra Cruz – University of North Texas
Molly Marcy – Castleton University
Olivia Ek – Emerson
Rachel Ledesma – Chapman
Robert Bushell – Loyola Marymount
Salsabila Nurhidajat – Vanderbilt
Scotlin Francis – Southern Methodist University
Shahriar Islam – Rutgers University
Shoshi Hansen – Wake Forest University
Stacey Ramirez – Texas State University
Wade Scanlan – University of Alabama
William Mai – University of Wisconsin
2018 Participants
Adrianna Fujii – American River College
Alex Brown – Wright State University
Alex Foo – Columbia University
Alexander Wilson – Savannah College of Art and Design
Andrew Luft – University of Alaska – Fairbanks
Andrew Nuno – DePaul University
Angelica Baldelomar Pinto – University of Kansas
Brianna Fisher – Appalachian State University
Charles de Agustin – Rutgers University
Crispin Jay Salapare III – Williams College
Dominic Dotson – Moorpark College
Elijah Solt – University of Northern Colorado
Emma France – Western Michigan University
Jennifer Garcia – University of Texas at Dallas
Jessica Johnson – Chapman University
Jordan Crabbe – Western Kentucky University
Katherine Schomas – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Katie Romanovich – California Lutheran University
Lisa Stemmons – Bradley University
Madilyne Kane – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Mira Winick – UCLA
Navarre Megali – University of North Carolina – School of the Arts
Railey Zantop-Zimlinghaus – Bowdoin College
Reagan Wells – University of Alabama
Sanah Jivani – University of Texas at San Antonio
Sarah Barnett – John Brown University
Satya Hariharan – Clark College
Stefanie Corum – Middle Tennessee State University
Tori Gellman – University of Tulsa
Zain Hashmat – Meridian Community College
Alex Brown – Wright State University
Alex Foo – Columbia University
Alexander Wilson – Savannah College of Art and Design
Andrew Luft – University of Alaska – Fairbanks
Andrew Nuno – DePaul University
Angelica Baldelomar Pinto – University of Kansas
Brianna Fisher – Appalachian State University
Charles de Agustin – Rutgers University
Crispin Jay Salapare III – Williams College
Dominic Dotson – Moorpark College
Elijah Solt – University of Northern Colorado
Emma France – Western Michigan University
Jennifer Garcia – University of Texas at Dallas
Jessica Johnson – Chapman University
Jordan Crabbe – Western Kentucky University
Katherine Schomas – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Katie Romanovich – California Lutheran University
Lisa Stemmons – Bradley University
Madilyne Kane – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Mira Winick – UCLA
Navarre Megali – University of North Carolina – School of the Arts
Railey Zantop-Zimlinghaus – Bowdoin College
Reagan Wells – University of Alabama
Sanah Jivani – University of Texas at San Antonio
Sarah Barnett – John Brown University
Satya Hariharan – Clark College
Stefanie Corum – Middle Tennessee State University
Tori Gellman – University of Tulsa
Zain Hashmat – Meridian Community College
2017 Participants
Alberto De La Rosa – Washington University in St. Louis
Alexandra Cherry – University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
Alina Verenich – Western Kentucky University
Alyssa Belardo – Rider University
Austin Lange – Western Kentucky University
Austin Renna – Rutgers University – New Brunswick
Becca Murdoch – University of Alabama
Deborah McFetridge – Rider University
Eden Palmer – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Emily Allen – University of Oklahoma
Gabriel Carden – University of Alabama
Ian Hawkes – Brigham Young University
Jared Angcanan – Moorpark College
John Shugrue – UCLA
Joseph Carter – Santa Fe University of Art and Design
Keaton Bell – The University of Oklahoma
Keilee Bentley – CSU Fullerton
Kelsey Sharpe – Oberlin College
Kevin Yatsu – University of Oregon
Lydia Scholl – George Mason University
Lydia Smith – Oberlin College
Madeleine Collier – Barnard College
Madeleine Sutka – Santa Fe University of Art and Design
Mia Khoury – Barnard College, Columbia University
Michelle Chu – Oberlin College
Nyree Holmes – California State University of Fullerton
Rachel Barnes – George Mason University
Taylor Ugrinow – University of Hartford
Tuesday Dunn-Blue – Portland State University
Alexandra Cherry – University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
Alina Verenich – Western Kentucky University
Alyssa Belardo – Rider University
Austin Lange – Western Kentucky University
Austin Renna – Rutgers University – New Brunswick
Becca Murdoch – University of Alabama
Deborah McFetridge – Rider University
Eden Palmer – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Emily Allen – University of Oklahoma
Gabriel Carden – University of Alabama
Ian Hawkes – Brigham Young University
Jared Angcanan – Moorpark College
John Shugrue – UCLA
Joseph Carter – Santa Fe University of Art and Design
Keaton Bell – The University of Oklahoma
Keilee Bentley – CSU Fullerton
Kelsey Sharpe – Oberlin College
Kevin Yatsu – University of Oregon
Lydia Scholl – George Mason University
Lydia Smith – Oberlin College
Madeleine Collier – Barnard College
Madeleine Sutka – Santa Fe University of Art and Design
Mia Khoury – Barnard College, Columbia University
Michelle Chu – Oberlin College
Nyree Holmes – California State University of Fullerton
Rachel Barnes – George Mason University
Taylor Ugrinow – University of Hartford
Tuesday Dunn-Blue – Portland State University
2016 Participants
Abney Troutman – University of Oklahoma
Alex Lamb – University of Kansas
Alexandra Schulte – Western Kentucky Univserity
Alexis Bonamassa – Rider University
Brad Nguyen – Moorpark College
Caitlyn Dour – Fairfield Univserity
Cassie Massa – Chapman University
Eliana Pipes – Columbia University
Elizabeth Danna – Fairfield Univserity
Jeris Johnson – Western Kentucky University
Jiayi Du – Chapman University
Joseph McNairy – University of Minnesota
Keaton Bell – University of Oklahoma
Luke Hellyer – George Mason Univserity
Marissa Renteria – University of Southern California
Marni Hoest – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Nicholas Dilullo – Fairfield Univserity
Rachel Kastner – Barnard College
Sarah Keo – University of Washington
Alex Lamb – University of Kansas
Alexandra Schulte – Western Kentucky Univserity
Alexis Bonamassa – Rider University
Brad Nguyen – Moorpark College
Caitlyn Dour – Fairfield Univserity
Cassie Massa – Chapman University
Eliana Pipes – Columbia University
Elizabeth Danna – Fairfield Univserity
Jeris Johnson – Western Kentucky University
Jiayi Du – Chapman University
Joseph McNairy – University of Minnesota
Keaton Bell – University of Oklahoma
Luke Hellyer – George Mason Univserity
Marissa Renteria – University of Southern California
Marni Hoest – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Nicholas Dilullo – Fairfield Univserity
Rachel Kastner – Barnard College
Sarah Keo – University of Washington
2015 Participants
Alex McDonald – USC
Amy Hurwitz – Chapman
Armando Barrios – Cal State Fullerton
Bryce Cyrier – Chapman
Caitlin Manocchio – Chapman
Elius Kim – Chapman
Elizabeth “Hilty” Bowen – USC
Kaeli Lynam – USC
Michael Rodriguez – Columbia University
Robert Smat – USC
Amy Hurwitz – Chapman
Armando Barrios – Cal State Fullerton
Bryce Cyrier – Chapman
Caitlin Manocchio – Chapman
Elius Kim – Chapman
Elizabeth “Hilty” Bowen – USC
Kaeli Lynam – USC
Michael Rodriguez – Columbia University
Robert Smat – USC