Jacksonville, AL – In a dazzling ceremony held on June 15, 2024, the 50th Annual Southeast Emmy Awards celebrated the exceptional talent of filmmaker Seth Johnson from Jax State’s Longleaf Studios. Johnson took home his fifth Emmy award, triumphing in the Program Promotion category with his compelling trailer for “Defending Freedom: The Authur D. Shores Story.”
Johnson’s meticulous efforts in crafting trailers were further recognized as his work on “Riding Through History: The Barber Collection” also earned accolades in the Program Promotion category. Although these films were ineligible for Documentary–Historical this year, there is great anticipation for their nomination in 2025. This recognition places Jax State and Longleaf Studios among prominent nominees such as WABE-TV in Atlanta, Ole Miss University, and SC ETV in Columbia.
Reflecting on his success, Johnson expressed his gratitude, saying, “Winning this Emmy is an incredible honor. It validates our team’s hard work and passion for every project. I’m grateful for the unwavering support from Jax State and Alabama Public Television, and I look forward to continuing our mission of bringing important stories to life.”
Johnson’s dedication to storytelling and historical documentation was also acknowledged with his film “Building Birmingham: The Sloss Story,” earning a nomination for Best Documentary – Historical. Competing against top-tier productions from GA Public Broadcasting, WGTV in Atlanta, WSFA in Montgomery, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Johnson’s nomination underscored the high caliber of his work. Despite fierce competition, securing three nominations highlighted Johnson’s exceptional filmmaking skills.
Pete Conroy, the visionary behind Longleaf Studios and a key figure on the APT Board of Directors, praised Johnson’s achievements. “Johnson’s fifth Emmy award is not just a personal triumph but a true sign of excellence for Longleaf Studios, Jax State, and Alabama’s film industry,” stated Conroy. “This accolade sets a high standard for future projects, and we have many more stories to tell.”
The “Defending Freedom” project also showcased the collaborative spirit at Longleaf Studios, involving eleven Jax State film, art, and communications students who worked alongside industry professionals from Illuminate Films. These talented students—Riley Abston, Nicolas Guimaraes Vieira, Adrian Langston, Noah Lockette, Noah McCord, Samuel Musgrove, Laney O’Neal, Leslie Pearce, Esther Shull, Benjamin Willis, and Daylan Wright—played significant roles in the production’s success.
Watch the award-winning trailer for “Defending Freedom: The Authur D. Shores Story” here.
Johnson’s previous Emmy awards were for the productions “Fire in Anniston, a Freedom Riders Story” (three Emmys) and “The Forgotten Creeks” (one Emmy).
