BEA2026: Full Schedule

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10:15am PDT

How to Successfully Include Non-Majors in a Study Abroad Documentary/Multi-Media Project

Monday April 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Tackling a study abroad short documentary-video project can be challenging if the student participants are skilled, but what if they have little to no experience? Hear how to harness the non-majors’ best assets and make them feel equally part of the project. We hear from panelists who have learned valuable lessons on what to do and not do overseas on recent projects with non-majors ranging from short documentaries to multi-media.

Moderator: Melissa Jackson, Chair, BEA Writing Division & Former Associate Professor, Piedmont University,
Panelists: LaDonna Aiken, of Practice, University of Texas at Arlington
Dwayne Cheddar, Associate Professor, Oakwood University
Melissa Jackson, Chair, BEA Writing Division & Former Associate Professor, Piedmont University,
Kyle West Hufford, Goshen College

Moderators

Melissa Jackson

CloudCatcher Productions

Speakers

Kyle Hufford

Associate Professor of Communication, Goshen College

Love to teach and mold young film and media production students. I teach film and advanced media production classes at Goshen College in Goshen, IN. I also manage our Video Production company where we hire students to work on video for clients.

LaDonna Aiken

Broadcast Specialist, University of Texas - Arlington

I am an assistant professor of practice in broadcast communication at the University of Texas at Arlington, where I teach broadcast production classes, as well as my faculty-led Study Abroad to Japan.

Dwayne Cheddar

Professor of Communication,, Oakwood University

Monday April 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
W306

Documentary, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | International, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | Filmmaker Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

11:30am PDT

How to navigate the Film Festival World

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

W306

The film festival world is opaque, complex, expensive, and changing. This workshop will go over how to develop a festival strategy, where you select festivlas that are right for your film. It will also cover how to effectively submit your film on Film Freeway, including what to do and what to avoid. This workshop will also go into what you need to do once you get into a festival, including creating a DCP, a Press Kit, and other materials. It will go over promoting your film and also talk about how much it costs to attend the festival.
Moderator: Robb B. Montgomery, Visual Editors, NFP

Moderators

Bart Weiss

Associate Professor, UT Arlington

Bart Weiss is an award-winning independent film and video producer, director, editor, and educator who has lived in Dallas since 1981.
He is mostly known as the director and founder of the Dallas VideoFest. He produces the TV show “Frame of Mind” on KERA TV in Dallas and is the Artistic Director of 3 Stars Cinema. He has traveled to Nigeria, Pakistan, and China to show American Documentaries for the US State... Read More →

Speakers

Robb Montgomery

Author, Mobile Journalism

Robb Montgomery is a Berlin-based journalism educator, documentary filmmaker, and visual media anthropologist known for his contributions to mobile journalism and media development programs. He is a former Chicago newspaper editor who builds immersive cultural heritage experiences... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W306

Documentary, Workshop | BEA, Workshop | Filmmaker Spotlight, Workshop

12:45pm PDT

Defining the Documentary: Trauma and Documentary

Monday April 20, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT

W303

“Defining the Documentary” is an ongoing series exploring issues concerning the documentary. Following a brief introduction, we will break into groups each with its own moderator, and discuss this topic—allowing all attendees to participate in the ongoing conversation. This year’s topic is focused on trauma—within the documentary, among the filmmakers, and thinking how audiences react.
Moderator: Julia Largent Kuttler, McPherson College
Nick Geidner, The University of Tennessee
Shanna Gilkeson, Eastern Michigan University
Ralph Beliveau, University of Oklahoma
Tom Hallaq, Kansas State University

Moderators

Julia Largent Kuttler

Associate Professor of Communication, McPherson College

Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Adviser (newspaper & podcast studio) at McPherson College in central Kansas. I study documentaries and fandom, both separately and in tandem. I like cats.

Speakers

Ralph Beliveau

Professor, University of Oklahoma

Dr. Beliveau is the Area Head for Creative Media Production and Professional Writing at the University of Oklahoma and affiliate faculty in both Film and Media Studies and Women and Gender Studies. He writes and teaches about media education and literacy, race, horror media, documentary... Read More →

Shanna Gilkeson

Graduate Assistant - Eastern Michigan University
First-Year Writing Program
University Writing Center

Supplemental Instruction Leader - Film Appreciaiton

E-TV Campus Cable Channel 18 - Student Executive Producer, Director of Promotions

Dr. Tom Hallaq

Associate Professor, Kansas State University

Nick Geidner

Professor, The University of Tennessee

Monday April 20, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
W303

Documentary, Other | BEA, Other

2:00pm PDT

Documentary Division Meeting

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

W303

Every great documentary starts with a compelling perspective. Come talk with colleagues about the stories, scholarship, and creative work shaping the field.

Connect with colleagues, exchange new ideas, and help shape exciting initiatives for the coming year. These meetings are a welcoming space to build community, spark collaboration, and make your voice part of the conversation. Whether you’re a returning member or attending for the first time, this is a valuable opportunity to network with peers, share insights, and play an active role in your division’s future. We’d love to see you there.

Chair: Adam J. Kuban, Ball State University
Vice Chair/Paper Competition Chair: James E. Machado, MFA, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Moderators

Adam Kuban

Professor, Ball State University

Professor — reporting & writing, documentary storytelling, sports, science/sustainability, community engagement, (critical) service learning, project-based curriculum

Speakers

James E. Machado

Associate Professor, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

James Machado is an Associate Professor of Media Arts Production at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. After working for a series of corporate clients, including Ubisoft, Yahoo!, and Lehman Brothers, he embarked on what has been an 18-year career as a freelance editor and producer... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
W303

Documentary, Business/District Meeting | BEA, Business/District Meeting

4:30pm PDT

Film & Documentary Production Technologies Tour

Monday April 20, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT

West Hall - 3rd Floor Lobby

Join Richard Crudo, ASC and take a look at current tools and workflows used in documentary and nonfiction production, including camera, audio, editing, and post-production technologies used in professional and educational settings.

Monday April 20, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
West Hall - 3rd Floor Lobby

Documentary, Special Event, Tour | BEA, Special Event, Tour | Filmmaker Spotlight, Special Event, Tour

5:30pm PDT

Closing Cocktails @ ZEN Westgate Hotel & Casino

Monday April 20, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT

ZEN @ Westgate Hotel & Casino

Back by popular demand, it's time for Closing Cocktails! And we are heading back to the Westgate Hotel & Casino! Meet us at ZEN (right in front of Benihana) for a drink to celebrate BEA2026.

Monday April 20, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
ZEN @ Westgate Hotel & Casino

10:15am PDT

11:30am PDT

12:45pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

4:30pm PDT

5:30pm PDT

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