2023 Recipient

GIRL SCOUT TROOP 3337

The troop worked with the Runnels Brothers in 2023 to achieve their screenwriting and video production badges. As recipients of the 2023 award, they conceived, wrote, and produced the short film “William”. Many of the girls from Troop 3337 are continuing to pursue the arts as actors, writers, and filmmakers.

2018 Recipient

MANDI RENO

For her feature length documentary "Saving Miss America", Mandi spent three years of research and development , Mandi and her team filmed over 50 hours of original interview and verity footage. This required travel to multiple states around the country for one-on-one interviews and pageant-related events (i.e. local parents, the Miss California state competition, and the Miss America competition). The 40+ interviews included multiple Miss Americas, Miss America State Titleholders, and long-time volunteers within the Miss America Organization. Mandi's current focus is on post production and assembling the film in the edit.

2020 Recipient

MARIA MEALLA

Maria has spent the last five years working as a commercial producer and director at agencies across the San Francisco Bay Area. She received the Lisa Jean Shelton Emerging Award in support of her feature length film "Bring Me an Avocado". Her film went on to win The Audience Award at the Cinequest Film Festival and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

2021 Recipient

SHANNON LUCIO

Shannon received the award for her short film "Mom" (formerly titled "Sissy"). Her film is in its final stages of post production. As an actress she is attached to a TV pilot about an NBA team called ARENA, where she has been invited on as a writer and director for future episodes. She is also looking for strategic producing partners to get "Sissy", the feature film, financed and produced in the winter.

2022 Recipient

ALBA ROLAND MEJIA

Alba is a writer, producer and director based in Oakland, CA. She is working toward her Master of Fine Arts in Cinema at San Francisco State University with a focus on directing narrative. Alba's work focuses on the African diaspora and strives to capture the true essence of storytelling by pulling from real life experiences.