Our 2025 UpTilt Scholarship Recipients
Savannah Pfister
"Tangerine Dreams"
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Lisa Christine Hyatt Memorial Scholarship
A young woman watches the film Casablanca, lamenting the prospect of never finding the perfect man. Her brooding is interrupted when she hears a knock at her door. Standing on the other side is a familiar, yet somehow unfamiliar, gentleman. He’s a dream come true: tall, dark & handsome, flowers in hand, ready to whisk the young woman through a day of wholesome activities. But can this all be too good to be true? As the two make a romantic breakfast together, the young woman contemplates her newfound circumstances while eating a tangerine slice. Suddenly the handsome man gone from sight, she alone is standing in the kitchen cooking breakfast. When a different man appears from the other room inviting her to a new activity, the mystery begins in earnest. Confused, she eats another tangerine slice, and she’s alone again. When yet another man calls to her from the other room, the game begins. Wise to the tangerine’s abilities, the young woman samples a variety of interactions with different dream men, eating a slice when she craves a new experience. Too stern, too nice, too friendly, too controlling, the list of interactions and personalities goes on, and we begin to wonder: will this woman find the perfect man before she runs out of slices?
A huge thank you to Jinna Kim and BofA for sponsoring!
Samira Mian
"HOLY SHIT"
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Joy James aka Livity The Poet Memorial Scholarship
HOLY SHIT, a coming-of-age, live-action short film, follows long-constipated, 20-something Saima as she fights for bodily autonomy and relief over the course of one night. Saima would rather involve no one in her quest for regularity. Nevertheless, while home for Thanksgiving break, Saima admits to her tenacious mother, Maria, that she hasn’t had a bowel movement in weeks. Leaping at the opportunity to support her increasingly-distant daughter, Maria concocts the “perfect” plan- curry the favor of gastroenterologist Nasrat Nasri at their mosque’s Eid al-Fitr potluck. Equally weary and desperate, Saima concedes to her mother’s scheme.
Maya Simone
"Rosa's Dilemma"
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The Silberman Family Emerging Filmmaker Scholarship
Who knew you could find love at a pizza joint? Rosa, a quirky 20-something with a borderline unhealthy obsession with time, has been dreaming of her "happily ever after" with her coworker Josh, the town's resident heartthrob and playboy. Sure, she's a little delusional and she documents these delusions in a diary- aren't we all when it comes to love? When Josh invites her to see his band play at a party, she's convinced it's finally happening- true love at last! But, plot twist: half the town also thinks they're the one for Josh. Oops.