Celebrated work highlights student involvement and storytelling excellence
ATLANTA, GA — Longleaf Studios at Jacksonville State University added to its growing legacy of documentary excellence by earning two Southeast Emmy Awards on Saturday, June 14, during the 51st annual ceremony held in Atlanta.
The studio, in partnership with Illuminate Films and Alabama Public Television (APT), received accolades in two categories: Documentary – Historical for Defending Freedom: The Arthur D. Shores Story, and Documentary – Topicalfor Riding Through History: The Barber Collection. Both films were produced in collaboration with Joel Evans and Rebekah Hall of Illuminate Films and aired on APT.
With these latest wins, Longleaf Studios has now secured a total of seven Southeast Emmys, a milestone that underscores both professional excellence and educational impact. Students from JSU’s film, art, and communication programs actively contributed to the Emmy-winning projects, gaining practical experience in all phases of production, from research and cinematography to editing and storytelling.
“These films reflect the power of collaboration between professionals and students,” said Seth Johnson, Director of Longleaf Studios and Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Sciences. “Our mission is not only to tell meaningful stories but to prepare the next generation of filmmakers. These awards are a testament to the entire Longleaf team’s creativity, dedication, and hard work.”
Wayne Reid, Executive Director of APT, praised the partnership’s continued success. “The partnership between Longleaf Studios, Jacksonville State University and Alabama Public Television exemplifies the power of collaboration in telling Alabama’s most compelling stories. Through films like Defending Freedom and Riding Through History, we’re not only preserving history but bringing it to life.”
Longleaf Studios and APT are currently producing additional documentaries, including upcoming features on Alabama music icon Randy Owen, the history of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA), and Alabama’s extensive trail networks. These and other Longleaf documentaries are available to stream at aptv.org/watch-page.
