The students of Huntington University Arizona in Peoria earned a total of eight student production awards in seven out of eight categories from the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the chapter’s annual awards event.

“As a faculty, we look to the student production awards to show us how well our film and animation programs are doing,” said Phil Wilson, digital media arts program director. “With 15 student production awards in two years, and tying for the most awards in our multi-state region this year, I think we are showing media students in the Valley and beyond that they have options when it comes to their educations in animation and film/TV. I believe that our success comes from our project-based curriculum meeting the talent and hard work of our students. We get cameras in their hands right away, and I think that makes a real difference.”

The HU Arizona award categories and recipients include the following:

1. College Editor – Artist Profile: Zoe Fae by Xander Williams

2. College Photographer – Xander Martin: Cinematographer by Xander Willaims

3. College Audio/Sound – Dance of Dissent by Shanon McNeil

4. College Commercial – Silver Linings Riding by Anika Sorum

5. College Director – Crimson by Cheyanne Glazier

6. College Animation/Graphics/Special Effects – Breaking Orbit by John Michael Latsko and Dance of Dissent by Shanon McNeil

7. College Animation/Graphics/Special Effects – Dance of Dissent by Shanon McNeil

8. College Fiction – Short Form – Pizza Pizza by Catherine Croteau, Rian Cameron, Taylor Kos, and Jack Orsborne

HU officials said these awards underscore the school's commitment to nurturing the talents and aspirations of students and preparing them for successful careers in the ever-evolving field of digital media.