Film Students Win Big, and a Professor’s Documentary Takes Grand Prize

It was a big week for the CSN’s Videography and Film Program, with Student Emmy wins and a major documentary award putting CSN talent in the spotlight.

On May 2, CSN students walked away with 12 Student Production Emmy Awards at a ceremony held at the Public Library on the Charleston campus. It was another standout night for a program that has built a record hard to ignore: 80 Emmy wins and 166 nominations over 13 years. That kind of sustained success puts CSN in the company of some of the best film programs in the country.

The following evening brought another reason to celebrate. Professor John Aliano’s documentary “Being Adolph Gasser” screened at the Indie Vegas Film Festival in 4K resolution with 5.1 surround sound, and at the end of the night, it took home the Grand Prize for Best Documentary Feature.

The film tells the story of Adolph Gasser, a man whose influence extended far beyond his own career. “The movie is resonating with audiences,” Aliano said, “as it highlights the life of a man who was not only successful in his chosen career but was the catalyst for the success of so many others.”

In attendance for the screening were CSN President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein and his wife, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. James McCoy, and several of the film’s collaborators, including graphic artist Erika Belanich, associate producer and archival researcher Arianna Martinez, and original music composer Tim Manion.

The film is now available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video. Search “Being Adolph Gasser” to find it. You can also visit beingadolphgasser.com for the trailer and updates.

And the run is far from over. Starting May 12 through May 23, “Being Adolph Gasser” will be featured at the Marché du Film in Cannes, France, distributed by Indie Rights.

Update, August 2026: “Being Adolph Gasser” keeps racking up honors. Since its Grand Prize win at Indie Vegas, the film has picked up the Best Director award at the Rainier Film Festival and the Trailblazer Award at DOCUTAH International Film Festival. Its latest stop is the Indiewood Film Festival in Hollywood, California, where it’s an official selection. The film will screen at the historic TLC Chinese Theatre, a venue that has hosted three Academy Award ceremonies since opening in 1927. The festival runs September 10-18, with the exact screening date to be announced. Visit beingadolphgasser.com for a trailer and more information.