Student-made documentary on immigration receives a Telly Award

GOSHEN, Ind. – A group of Goshen College students produced the documentary “Fuerza” in 2006 about the effects of immigration on the small cities of Goshen, Ind., and Apan, Hidalgo, Mexico. Recently the documentary received a nod of approval from top advertising and production professionals with of a Silver Telly Award for the film.

 

The Telly Award program was founded in 1979 and has since been presenting awards to “outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest film and video productions, and groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films.”

 

This year was the 29th Annual Telly Awards and “Fuerza” was just one of approximately 14,000 entries and ran alongside pieces presented by companies like Warner Bros., the SCI FI Channel and Current TV.

 

The annual Telly Awards are given based on the merit of each entry. Pieces do not compete against one another, but against a high standard of excellence. The judges are all former Silver Telly Award winners from all regions of the United States. They represent both large and small firms including advertising agencies, TV stations, production houses and corporate video departments.

 

The Silver Telly Award is the highest-level award given and marked “Fuerza” as a documentary receiving above a nine on a 10-point scale. According to James Weber, one of the film’s student producers and a senior communication major from Reading, Pa., “Only seven to 10 percent of about 14,000 entries win the Silver award each year.”

 

The other three students to come up with the idea of “Fuerza” and carry it through its production were senior David Martinez (Goshen), junior Ben Noll (Lancaster, Pa.) and 2006 graduate Katrina Dyck (Thomasboro, Ill.).

 

“Fuerza” was filmed in Elkhart County, Mexico and along the U.S.-Mexico border, and explores the connection between the Mexican feeder town and Goshen and how their reliance on each other helps highlight the effects of immigration.

 

“Thinking back to when we were working on the film, being recognized and winning awards was not something we were aiming for. In reality, all we wanted was to create a film that would get communities talking about the issue [of immigration],” Martinez said.

 

“It is very encouraging to see that not only people in the community are recognizing the powerful message ‘Fuerza’ is trying to address, but also universities, government offices and now the Telly awards,” Martinez said.

 

Weber agrees that the true reward is seeing the effect of the film in the community, and he said, “It is nice to receive this professional recognition.”

 

The audience for “Fuerza” continues to grow since its release. It has been shown in at least five states and three countries and, according to Weber, was passed on to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during her visit to Mishawaka on March 28.

 

According to Martinez, “I hope people continue to use ‘Fuerza’ in the classrooms, city halls and churches. The message is still very relevant today as it was while making the film.”

 

For more information about “Fuerza” or to purchase a copy of the award-winning documentary visit www.soluzfilms.com.

 

– Emily Dougherty

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.