Ya'Ke Smith
yake83@hotmail.com

EDUCATION

M.F.A., University of Texas at Austin
Film Production/Direction
Jesse Jones Fellow/McNair Scholar

B.A., University of the Incarnate Word
Communication Arts/Digital Video Production
McNair Scholar

DIRECTING/EDITING EXPERIENCE

2007: The Second Coming, Super 16 MM
Winner: HBO Short Film Award; American Black Film Festival
Student Academy Award Nominee
National Broadcast: HBO
Numerous other festivals and awards

2006: Hope's War, Super 16 MM
Director's Guild of America Student Film Award- African -American Category
National Broadcast: Showtime Black Filmmaker's Showcase; BET J The Best Shorts Showcase
Official Selection: Cannes International Film Festival's Kodak Emerging Filmmaker Showcase
Numerous other festivals and awards

2004: Shoppin, Super 16MM
Best Student Film Award: Houston Multicultural Independent Film Festival
National Broadcast: Badami Productions' African-American Short Film Series
Official Selection: Cinematexas International Short Film Festival
Numerous other festivals and awards

2003: Strange Fruit, Digital Video
Honorable Mention Award: National Association of Latino Independent Producers Texas Film Slam

2002: Family Reunion, Digital Video
Official Selection: Hollywood Black Film Festival

2001: Black Magic, Digital Video
Official Selection: Houston Multicultural Independent Film Festival

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2007 - Present, Lecturer, University of Texas at Austin
---Directing Actor's Workshop

2006 - 2007, Instructor, University of Texas at Austin's Wave Summer Workshop
---Filmmaker Face-off
--- Editing with Final Cut Pro

2005, Instructor, Austin Film Festival's Young Filmmaker's Summer Program
--- Script to Screen

2004-2006, Teaching Assistant, Department of Radio-Television-Film: The University of Texas at Austin
--- East Austin Stories
---Introduction to Digital Narrative
---Introduction to Image and Sound
---National Lampoon Comedy Class

ACADEMIC HONORS AND AWARDS

2005-2006, Jesse Jones Fellowship, The University of Texas at Austin
2005-2006, Warren Skaaren Fellowship, The University of Texas at Austin
2003-2005, McNair Scholars Fellowship, The University of Texas at Austin
2001-2003, Helena Monahan Media Studies Award, The University of the Incarnate Word

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MERITS

Austin Film Society
SXSW Film Festival, Panelist, 2008
Gemini Ink Literary Arts Centerr, Guest Speaker, 2 to Watch/ Guest Lecturer, Writing the Short Screenplay, 2008
Art Pace Art Gallery, Guest Speaker, 2 to Watch, 2008
San Antonio Film Commission, Guest Speaker, San Antonio Film Forum: Indie Filmmaker Roundup, 2007

REFERENCES

Cauleen Smith, M.F.A.
Professor
Massachusetts College of Art
(512) 563-6136
cauleensmith@mail.utexas.edu

Paul Stekler, M.F.A.
Professor/Head of Production Area
University of Texas at Austin
Department of Radio Television Film
(512) 471-6679
stek@mail.utexas.edu

Dora Fitzgerald, M.F.A.
Professor
University of The Incarnate Word
School of Media and Interactive Design
(210) 283-5060
fitzgera@universe.uiwtx.edu

Andrew Shea, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor
University of Texas at Austin
Department of Radio Television Film
(512) 471-5303
shea@mail.utexas.edu