Sunflower County Film Academy

(2025)

Thanks to our sponsors for funding our 2025 Sunflower County Film Academy, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and ATMOS Energy, and our fiscal sponsor, the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.

Huge thanks also to our remarkable and amazing team of instructors: (l) Ben Powell of Broken Arm Studio, (r) Glenn Payne of Dead Leaf Productions and (c) Laeitta Wade Robinson of Eittabug Productions.

The 17 students in this year’s film camp learned from local filmmakers and teachers. (Left) Glenn Payne shows Darren Chau how to make movies with a cell phone. (Below) Ben Powell shows Peyton James and Madison Dozier how to set up the camera for a shot and Glen Payne instructs students on how to use the camera.

(Left) Instructor Glenn Payne shows SCFA Student Darren Chau how to use a cell phone to make movies. (Center) Instructor Ben Powell works with SCFA Students Peyton James and Madison Dozier how to set up the camera for a shot. And (right) Glenn Payne shows ShaCameron Collins, Tyunna Surney and Madison Dozier how to set up a shot. Photos by: Glenn Payne, Ben Powell and Laeitta Wade Robinson.

(Left) SCFA Students Tyunna Surney and Libbi Jenkins and (right) Mandy’Ann Metcalf and Ashley Hernandez get to know each other with acting exercises during the film camp. And (center) Melissa Ownby (red skirt), Admissions Office for the the Mississippi School of The Arts in Brookhaven, MS talks with students about their programs.

Hands On Instruction.

Field Trip - Delta Music Institute (DMI).

DMI Studio and Production Manager Austin Rutledge treated students to a tour of the Delta Music Institute (DMI) at nearby Delta State University to learn the importance music plays in movies.

One of Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools for 2022, 2023, and 2024, DMI is housed within the College of Business and Aviation at Delta State and offers a cutting-edge B.S. in Entertainment Industry Studies, blending technology, creativity, and business to prepare students for dynamic careers in the entertainment industry. With world-class studio facilities, hands-on learning experiences, and professional artists-in-residence, students gain real-world expertise while building invaluable industry connections. Whether students are passionate about audio engineering, music production, or entertainment entrepreneurship, the DMI equips them with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive industry.

SCFA Students (l to r): Aaron Johnson, (rear) Makenzie Jones, ShaCameron Collins, Shanarius Ross, Nick Ales, Darren Chau, (front center) Libbi Jenkins, (rear) Madison Dozier, Mandy’Ann Metcalf, Peyton James, Ashley Hernandez, (rear) JaMyra Walker and McKenzie Walker.

Equipment.

Mandy’Ann Metcalf & McKenzie Walker

Peyton James

Shanarius Ross

Mandy’Ann Metcalf

Student Films.

Storyline and Co-Directed by: Jocelyn Surney

Starring: Aaron Johnson and Ashley Hernandez

Storyline and Co-Directed by: Shanarius Ross

Starring: Darren Chau, Janaiyah Dorsey, Madison Dozier and Bolivar County resident Tony Foster

Storyline and Co-Directed by: Libbi Jenkins

Starring:

Production.

Movie Premiere.

Studio Portraits.

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SCFA FILM FESTIVALS