Education Panel at the Syracuse International Film Festival 2025

Last Friday, October 17th, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the education panel at the Syracuse International Film Festival. The panel brought together a diverse group of professionals from across the film and media industry, including fellow professors from Syracuse University and representatives from WCNY, creating a rich dialogue about education, professional development, and the future of filmmaking in Central New York.

Department of Film and Media Arts faculty Dean Lyon, Alex Mendez Giner, Guinevere Turner, David Tarleton, and Adria Dawn stand from left to right.

The Syracuse International Film Festival, now in its 22nd year, has become a cornerstone cultural event for the region. I had the pleasure of participating alongside a distinguished group, including Kristen Bauer-Gross—actress, model, and educator from Kristen B Coaching; Mac Cushing, film and media professional at WCNY Academy and owner of Salt City Grip; Greg Robbins from the Robbins Stunt Team; Joann Yarrow, Director of Community Engagement at Syracuse Stage; and my fellow faculty colleagues from the Department of Film and Media Arts at Syracuse University: Adria Dawn, David Tarleton, Dean Lyon, and Guinevere Turner.

We discussed ways to better prepare the next generation of filmmakers and media artists. Our conversation focused on technical training, the role of AI technology in filmmaking, creative development, and the importance of community partnerships in nurturing local talent. The festival's vision—to bring the latest information on the Syracuse filmmaking scene to the community—was evident throughout the weekend.

I want to express my gratitude to Festival President Michelle DiBernardo and the entire SIFF team for organizing such a thoughtful and engaging program. To my fellow panelists, thank you for your insights and for the important work you do in shaping the future of film education in our region. And to everyone who attended and participated in the discussion, your questions and engagement made the conversation all the more enriching.

As the festival continues to grow and expand its reach, I'm excited to see how it will continue to serve as a bridge between emerging filmmakers, established professionals, and the community that supports them.