2020 Design & Production alumnus Tramaine “Trey” Gray will be the African American
Student Filmmakers Jury Award for the East Region category for his work on “Kindred
Kings” at the 26th Directors Guild of America (DGA) Student Film Awards Tuesday, Feb.
9 at 8 p.m. in a virtual ceremony.
Gray is the first D&P alumnus to win a DGA Student Film Jury Award. “Kindred Kings”
originated in Gray’s independent study with School of Design and Production faculty
member Pam Knourek.
“Kindred Kings” is described by the filmmakers as “a poetic visual piece that explores
freedom and true versatility for the Black man. ‘Kindred Kings’ illustrates the journey
for us to remember that Black men are Kings, Kindred Kings. And as Kings, we get to
decide the new narrative for the Black man.”
“Kindred Kings” was co-written and directed by Gray, and co-written/produced by School
of Filmmaking student Jo Hatcher, with cinematography and editing by School of Filmmaking
student Zachary Smith. Production design is by Romello Huins and Gray, who also provided
costume design, with makeup by Natosha Martin, and music by School of Design and Production
student Nick Parnell. Vocals were composed and performed by School of Drama student
Deandre Sevon and Mlaj.
Additional students from the schools of Dance, Design and Production, Drama, and Filmmaking
were also involved, serving as crew and cast members.
School of Filmmaking alumnus Jeremiah Cullen, now the Assistant Production Coordinator
on Season 4 of “Ozark,” was the first UNCSA student to win a DGA Student Film Jury
Award for the East Region African American filmmaker category in 2013 for his work
on “Baldwin.”
Contact: Kate Miller
Feb. 8, 2020
