SEASIDE – Two Cal State Monterey Bay students have been awarded a $1,500 scholarship by the Monterey County Film Commission.
The scholarships are a part of the film commission’s 2025 Director Emeritus Richard Tyler Film Student Scholarship Award program. Initially started in 2008, the award program aims to “provide, encourage and support educational opportunities relating to film, to the residents of Monterey County,” and annually make awards to film students studying in the county, according to the commission’s website.
CSUMB’s Jameson Paull and Julian Sumano, both in the Cinematic Arts and Technology Department, were announced as co-winners for the 2025 award program and were appreciative to the film commission.
Paull said “receiving the scholarship feels like a lot more than an award to me.
“It is a humbling message of belief in my story,” he said in a press release. “Being an honored recipient fuels my creative passion stronger than ever, and I am sincerely grateful to know that my efforts have been seen and supported by our local professional community.”
Sumano echoed a similar sentiment.
“This scholarship is more than financial support,” said Sumano. “It is the hope that is placed in my hands, giving me the motivation to keep studying hard to someday reach my career. It’s a light that carries me forward to show that my lifelong dreams are worth chasing.”
The Monterey County Film Commission is a nonprofit organization started by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1987. Its mission is to “inspire and facilitate film and media production throughout Monterey County, creating positive economic impact,” including by supporting young filmmakers, like Paull and Sumano, through the scholarship program.
Contributions to the 2025 award scholarship were made by the Craig and Paula Tigerman family, Jeryl and Ron Abelmann, Honest Engine Films, Annee Martin, Dino Cocalis and numerous local businesses and individuals.
The 2026 scholarship competition opens on Feb. 1 and will run until Feb. 22 at 11:59. It is open to all filmmaking students that are Monterey County residents or attending a community college or university in the county.
The Monterey County Film Commissions is also welcoming donations for the scholarship program.
To get a start on the application or donate to the program, visit https://filmmonterey.org/scholarships/
