Two Appalachian State University filmmakers are preparing to see their work reach a wider audience this spring, as their documentary shorts have been selected for the 100 Strong Productions Student Film Festival, taking place Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Cary Theater in Wake County. Both films were originally screened at the Inaugural Appalachian State Emerging Filmmakers Showcase last February and now join a slate of eight student projects from across North Carolina chosen for this statewide event.
The selected filmmakers—Grace Ellen Callihan ’27 and Lana Butler ’26—each bring a deeply personal lens to their storytelling, shaped by their academic paths and lived experiences.
Callihan, a double major in Electronic Media/Broadcasting and Language, Literature and Culture (Spanish and Hispanic Studies), created Highway 251, a documentary short examining bike safety in Asheville following the tragic deaths of cyclists Jacob Hill and Lennie Antonelli. The project emerged organically from Callihan’s long-standing connection to the Asheville cycling community.
Grace Ellen Callihan
“The Asheville bike community is something that is close to my heart. When I heard about Lennie and Jacob’s accident, I wanted to give back to a community that has given so much to me,” Callihan shared. “A friend of mine, Brooke Darby, reached out to me about making a film around the current climate of Asheville bike safety, and I was immediately on board. We proceeded to contact others affected in the community, and filmed her 100‑mile Asheville Gran Fondo. This film was not planned but something we improvised with as the story evolved.”
Produced in collaboration with Darby, the film blends journalistic clarity with emotional resonance, capturing both the urgency and humanity behind a community advocating for safer roads. Callihan, who also serves as station manager for AppTV, sees the festival as a platform for amplifying that message.
Filming in Asheville
“One thing that is so exciting about being involved in this festival is to spread the message of bike safety across North Carolina. I’m so excited Highway 251 has the opportunity to be shown in the 100 Strong Productions Film Festival.”
Butler’s film, Against the Flames, produced for Professor Chip Williams’ Video Production course in the Commercial Photography program, offers a tribute to her mother’s journey from Vietnam to the United States in the 1970s and her determination to become a firefighter in Charlotte. What began as a class assignment quickly evolved into a deeply personal exploration of family history, sacrifice, and resilience.
Butler was first drawn to the project by her mother’s extraordinary story - one she had grown up around but never fully understood.
“My mother, who is an incredibly inspiring person, drew me to her story. I wanted to highlight her hard work and accomplishments while also learning more about my family’s history and the risks my grandparents took to leave Vietnam in search of a better life.”
As she worked on the film, Butler’s perspective shifted. Childhood disagreements gave way to a deeper appreciation for the magnitude of her mother’s sacrifices — and the courage it took to reclaim a dream long deferred.
Lana Butler
“For many years, she put her own dreams on hold to raise my sisters and me. After nearly 15 years, she chose to pursue those dreams again by trying out for the Charlotte Fire Department, despite being older than most in her recruit class and being the only Asian female in the entire department. She never backed down.”
Screening the film at the Appalachian State Emerging Filmmakers Showcase helped Butler understand the power of sharing such a story publicly and prepared her for the statewide stage.
“That experience helped me better understand the atmosphere and energy of events like these, and it made me realize how meaningful it is to share a story like my mother’s with an audience beyond the classroom. What began as an assignment has grown into something much more impactful than I initially imagined.”
Ultimately, Butler hopes audiences leave with a sense of determination — the same determination embodied by her mother.
“I hope audiences walk away feeling inspired to pursue their goals, regardless of the obstacles in their path. My mother’s story is a testament to perseverance. She faced setbacks but never allowed failure to define her.”
Sponsored by 100 Strong Productions, a division of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, the festival highlights documentary films that illuminate the untold stories of North Carolina communities. For Callihan and Butler, the event marks not only recognition of their craft but also an opportunity to share narratives rooted in courage, loss, resilience, and the power of place.
About 100 Strong Productions
A division of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, 100 Strong Productions ® endeavors to tell the untold stories of North Carolina through documentary films, and various other video productions in support of the NCACC's mission.
About the Department of Communication
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University focuses on preparing students to succeed in the varied fields within the communication industry. The department offers five majors – Advertising, Communication Studies, Electronic Media/Broadcasting, Digital Journalism, and Public Relations – and a minor in Communication Studies. Graduates work in a wide range of positions in media, corporate, agency, government, and nonprofit organizations.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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