A Night of Celebration, Collaboration, and Creative Excellence
On April 25, 2025, the Performing Arts Center at Five Towns College came alive with excitement and pride as students, faculty, families, and friends gathered for The Luminaries—15th Annual Awards Ceremony. This signature event capped off two nights of student film screenings and a year of creative achievement across the Film and Television, Mass Communication, and Interactive Media Arts departments.
An Expanded Vision for The Luminaries Festival
What began as a showcase exclusive to the Film and Television major has now evolved into a division-wide celebration. For the first time, the annual Awards Ceremony reflected the full scope of the Communication Division. This expansion was made possible by a recent curricular alignment that brought together three formerly independent programs—Film and Television, Mass Communication, and Interactive Media Arts—into one collaborative, forward-thinking department.
Recognizing Student Excellence Across Media Disciplines
The awards honored outstanding work in a wide array of categories, some of which included:
- The Sol Negrin Award for Best Cinematography
- Best Film(s) – Awarded for Freshman/Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Artists
- Audience Choice Awards for Film and Interactive Media Arts
- Best Photography, 2D Visual Art, Animation and Motion Graphics
- Distinguished Service Awards
Each award reflected the creativity, technical skill, and storytelling power of Five Towns College students, whose work continues to push the boundaries of visual and media arts.
More Than Just an Awards Show
Hosted by the dynamic duo of Theatre Arts students Egypt Dozier and Symone Hammond, the 15th Annual Awards Ceremony delivered more than accolades. Audiences enjoyed skits, bumper reels, creative video presentations, and behind-the-scenes moments that made the night unforgettable.
A Multimedia Event, Powered by FTC Students
While the spotlight was on stage, the rest of the Mass Communication Division was hard at work bringing The Luminaries to wider audiences. Students and faculty produced a professional-grade live stream of the event, conducted red carpet interviews, and hosted radio coverage from the scene—all made possible by the industry-standard production studios that give Five Towns College graduates a competitive edge in today’s media landscape.
A Team Effort: The People Behind the Production
This unforgettable evening was made possible by a dedicated team of producers: Colin Hickey, Alex Gaza, Nicole Monteleone, and student producers Maddie Llanes, Jiselle Carlo, Dan Davis, Ryan McClelland, Daniel Garcia, and Joey Cicchelli.
Faculty mentors Michael Peters, Oliver Roach, and Michael Kaufmann provided guidance throughout the planning and production process, while Russel Roxbury and Michael Cavalli offered essential operational support through Facilities and Student Life.
Division Leadership and College Administration Support
This year’s expanded vision was fueled by thoughtful leadership and coordination. Special thanks go to:
- Colin Hickey, Interim Chair of Film and Television
- Holli Haerr, Chair of Mass Communication
- Sharon Reba-Pertz, Chair of Interactive Media Arts
- Tom Calandrillo, Chair of the Communication Division and Assistant Dean of Institutional Productions and Technology
The continued support of College President Dr. David Cohen and Vice President Dr. Janet Kaplan helped ensure that The Luminaries remains a cornerstone event that celebrates student success and innovation.
A Final Creative Touch
The visual identity of The Luminaries 15th Annual Awards Ceremony was brought to life by student designers Luke Spinosa (poster) and Isabella Romeo (event pamphlet), whose creative direction added a professional and polished look to this already standout celebration.
As Five Towns College continues to nurture a thriving community of storytellers, media-makers, and creative leaders, The Luminaries stands as a shining example of what’s possible when passion meets purpose—and when every corner of a division comes together to tell one extraordinary story.
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