FMS Film Rally featuring Sharon Liese, Emmy Award-winning Filmmaker

The Film & Media Studies Department is hosting our annual Film Rally at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 on the FMS Sound Stage, Summerfield Hall, Room 125. All FMS students are invited to attend.

We'll introduce our faculty, staff and GTAs. There will be pizza and swag while supplies last. Expect to hear about departmental opportunities, including funding opportunities for students and upcoming events.

We are thrilled to feature Sharon Liese, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker whose recent film, "Seized", premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year. The documentary covers the police raid on the Marion County Record and the death of its 98-year-old co-owner. It put Marion, Kansas into the international spotlight and led to a fierce debate about abuse of power, journalism, and the U.S. Constitution.

This year, "Seized" was a nominee for the Grand Jury Award in Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival. It also won the DocEdge Award for Crime & Conspiracy at the Documentary Edge Festival and the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Florida Film Festival.

Sharon has a history of receiving honors for her work. In 2023, her film, "The Flagmakers", won the Emmy for Outstanding Short Documentary and was on the Oscar shortlist. Her documentary, "Parker", also premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

Prior to that, Sharon's feature documentary, "Transhood", won the Audience Award at AFI Fest. Her film, "The Gnomist", was given over 15 festival awards during its festival run. She also directed and produced the documentary series including "High School Confidential", "Pink Collar Crimes", "Hookers Saved on the Strip" and "Let Us Prey".

Please join us in welcoming Sharon to campus as well as any new faces to the department!