Returning Valdosta State University alums will be a part of the 2019 South Georgia Film Festival Alumni Panel, Friday March 1 at 4 pm in the Student Union. Film professional Stephen Stumberg, Fulton County Schools A/V Instructor Reed Burkett, Beth Tate of VSU’s Creative Services and local entrepreneur Damian Grey will discuss their experiences at Valdosta State and where they lead them afterward.

Among the thirteen different panels and workshops, these Valdosta State University alums will have the stage to talk about becoming media professionals due in part to their time at VSU.

Stephen Stumberg has worked in various capacities in the film industry, Stephen most recently worked as the video assist operator for the Netflix series “The Haunting of Hill House. He comes to this year’s South Georgia Film Festival as the executive producer of the film “Peggy” which is screening Saturday, March 2 at 5:30 pm, from his production company Latch & Key Film Co.

Graduating from VSU in 2013, Reed Burkett moved to Los Angeles where he got to work in various capacities at Nickelodeon, including producing content for their YouTube channel. He moved back to Georgia in 2017 where he has worked as an A/V Film & Animation Instructor with the Fulton County School System.

Beth Tate’s work as a videographer and producer can be see all across Valdosta, through her work at VSU’s Creative Services division. From the basketball and football stadium to graduation, she has been producing content and training students. After graduating in 2016, Beth had the rare opportunity of working at the highest level as a student and immediately transitioning that into a full-time position.

Starting his business FilmStory, Damian Grey continues to work using storytelling to support big ideas. Through ReVo Media, Damian has been creating content for local organizations. FilmStory continues that with a focus on using storytelling techniques and has included helping train people to best use video editing equipment themselves. Damian will also be participating in Friday’s video editing panel in the Mass Media Building.

Festival screenings will take place at the VSU Student Union Theater at the corner of Baytree and North Oak Street. The festival added the use of the Mass Media Screening room, on the corner of Patterson and Brookwood. Over the three days, visitors can park at both the Oak Street Parking Deck and the University Center parking lot. With over a dozen panels and workshops across both locations, attendees will find plenty to do.

This year’s festival continues to connect with partners in the Valdosta community, including Valdosta State University, Georgia Power, Wild Adventures, the Turner Center for the Arts, WAITR, Valdosta Main Street, the Valdosta Daily Times, the City of Valdosta, Miss Kate’s Tours and Coca-Cola. Promoting entrepreneurship through filmmaking, the festival continues to promote the regional film industry with panelists discussing both the craft and industrial impact of film for local businesses. This year’s festival has also includes panelists Brandi Nicole Payne of Seed & Spark to discuss Crowdfunding, producer Tara Ansley, actor Ian Anderson, along with many others.

Passes to this year’s festival are currently available. The All Access VIP pass, which includes a t-shirt and access to the VIP areas costs $100. The Festival Pass which offers access to all screenings, panels and daily events are $40. Day Passes are $15 for all screenings and panels. Both High School and College students can get a free Day Pass with their school id. Tickets will be available on the third floor of the Valdosta State Union all weekend long.