The Film School Honored with 'Nashy'

Watkins College of Art, Design and Film was honored by FilmNashville with The Nashy, given to The Film School for “Outstanding Contributions to the Growth of the Nashville Filmmaking Community.”  The award was presented during the organization’s annual gathering on December 6, at Nu Mynd Studios.

The FilmNashville board of directors voted to recognize Watkins for their support, going back to the mid-1990s, and valued contributions of time, talent and resources to the growth of the local filmmaking community.

Accepting the award were (pictured at left) Watkins board chair Samuel Stumpf, Watkins President Ellen L. Meyer, Professor Valorie Stover Quarles, Film School Chair Steven Womack, former Watkins president Brian McQuistion, and former dean Dr. David Hinton.  Mr. McQuistion and Dr. Hinton led  the college during the establishment of the Film School in 1995, and Professor Quarles was founding chair.

The Film School — the first organization to receive the Nashy — joins previous winners Armanda Costanza, founder of AC Inc; John Cherry, creator of the “Ernest” movie franchise starring Jim Varney; Coke Sams, writer/director/producer of numerous film projects in the Nashville area; Jim Ridley, editor of the Nashville Scene; Doug Rice, owner of DR&A soundstage and equipment rental; and Glen Trew, owner of Trew Audio, who has contributed sound equipment to numerous local film projects.

The Nashy was sponsored by GreenBank/Capital Bank, N.A.

For more information, visit FilmNashville.org.

Pictured below: 
Film-Com Chairman and FilmNashville founding president Andy Van Roon introduces the Nashy presentation / Ellen Meyer at the mic

Shalynn & Steven Womack, Samuel Stumpf, Valorie Stover & Mark Quarles / Valorie Stover Quarles and Steven Womack / Alumnus Glen Weiss with Valorie Stover & Mark Quarles