In international competition, WSU film student takes first place for music video
OGDEN, Utah — A Weber State University film studies student traveled to Las Vegas in April to attend the National Association of Broadcaster’s conference and receive an award for a music video she created but didn’t realize had been entered in an international competition.
Chloe Kinnavongsa, who grew up in Clearfield but now calls Ogden home, was one of 14 Weber State media students who attended the National Association of Broadcasters and Broadcast Education Association conferences this spring.
“The Necklace Song,” a video Kinnavongsa created with classmate David Guerrero, won first place in the music video category of the BEA’s Festival of Media Arts, an international student competition. Guerrero directed the video and Kinnavongsa was cinematographer.
“I didn’t even know the video had been submitted, so finding out that it won first place was a complete shock, but a deeply emotional one,” Kinnavongsa said. “This was my first time receiving an award as a filmmaker, and it was a moment of validation that I’ll never forget. I’m incredibly proud of the project and grateful to have collaborated with David, who is such a talented and creative artist.”
As a result of having the video selected, Kinnavongsa had a chance to participate in a panel discussion during the conference.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking — I’m not usually comfortable speaking in front of large audiences — but I’m proud that I pushed through that discomfort,” she said. “Being on a panel, sharing my experience, and representing our project was incredibly meaningful.”
For Aaron Atkins, assistant professor of digital media at WSU, the highlight of attending the conference was watching students experience the event.
“Our students perform at such a high level, and their creativity is fantastic,” Atkins said. “I love to see them recognized for it.”
Atkins submitted 10 student projects in the Festival of Media Arts competition. In addition to the music video honor, WSU’s Dusty Bessire won second place in the Short Narrative Film category for Quiet, Arlo. Film Studies student Peter Visser received an Award of Excellence for his screenplay No Father of Mine, and Bessire, Zander Cooper, and Ashlynn Maughan also earned an Award of Excellence for their short film Limelight.
In addition to receiving their awards for their work and serving as panelists at various sessions, the students also explored career options, networked with professionals in the field, and got an inside look at the latest trends in broadcast and media during the conference and trade show.
Atkins said the students were like “kids in a candy store, seeing all the industry’s shiny new toys.” Kinnavongsa said it felt like a dream to interact with state-of-the-art equipment she had only previously seen online.
Kinnavongsa, a recipient of a Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities Scholarship, said this was the first time she attended a professional conference, and found it incredibly valuable as she embarks on a career using her camera and storytelling skills.
“My biggest takeaway was the value of connection — getting to network with other filmmakers, hear their stories, and share ideas,” said Kinnavongsa, who graduated in April. “It reminded me that filmmaking is not just about the tools we use but also about the people we collaborate with. Listening to others’ creative journeys was both inspiring and humbling.”
Now that she’s graduated, Kinnavongsa plans to continue applying her camera and storytelling skills to both personal and client projects. She also wants to further practice experimental photography, as well as explore where visual storytelling can intersect with fine art.
(Courtesy photo by Kimberly Mancuso)
John Kowalewski, Marketing & Communications
- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu