Award-winning filmmaker Sophia Abolfathi graduates from UF with an Emmy under her belt
An Emmy-winning filmmaker before even graduating from college, University of Florida senior Sophia Abolfathi is making a name for herself in the world of documentary storytelling.
When she first arrived at UF to study Media Production, Management, and Technology in the College of Journalism and Communications, she knew she wanted to tell stories, but she didn’t yet know how. Four years later, as Abolfathi plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in May, she has not only sharpened her storytelling skills but also positioned herself as a bright talent in the world of cinematic journalism.
“I knew that, if I trained in journalism, I would be a better documentary filmmaker,” Abolfathi said. “Learning how to conduct interviews, how to structure a story, how to really listen — those are all skills I developed here [at UF].”
Abolfathi’s work speaks for itself. Her latest documentary, “Sunflower,” which premiered in early 2025, tells the powerful story of the UF women’s softball team and the young cancer patient who became their inspiration. The 22-minute film highlights themes of resilience, community and legacy — how we honor and remember people who have changed us.
“Sunflower” follows the success of Abolfathi’s "March of the Mangroves," an environmental documentary about the importance of Florida’s mangroves, which function as sentinels against climate change. The film won a 2024 Suncoast Regional Emmy — an honor few filmmakers receive, let alone undergraduate students. The Better Cities Film Festival also gave it the top student film award for 2024.
From a childhood camcorder to film festivals
Abolfathi’s journey into filmmaking began in childhood, when a supportive elementary school teacher handed her a camcorder. From then on, she found ways to integrate filmmaking into her education, convincing her teachers to accept video projects in lieu of essays. By high school, she was already competing in film festivals.
When it came time to choose a college, UF stood out for her, not just for its strong media production program but for the opportunity to build a foundation in journalism.
She made the most of her time at UF, crafting a body of work that demonstrates both technical skill and narrative depth. In addition to “Sunflower” and “March of the Mangroves,” her film “A Seat at the Table,” which explores food justice in Gainesville, marked a turning point in her career. It won the Grand Jury Award for Student Film at the Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles and was screened at the Regal Theatre in downtown Los Angeles in October 2024.
“That film really confirmed for me that I was on the right path,” Abolfathi said. “Before that, I was making projects, but that was the first one that felt like it had weight.”
Mentorship matters
Abolfathi credits much of her growth to the mentorship she received from the College of Journalism and Communications faculty, particularly Tim Sorel — professor and associate chair of the Department of Media Production, Management, and Technology — who served as an advisor on “Sunflower.”
“We spent so much time discussing the story, practicing interview questions in the car on the way to shoots, breaking down footage — it was an invaluable experience,” Abolfathi said.
She also worked closely with WUFT Media Services, where she gained hands-on experience in live production and journalism. And Roxane Coche, Ph.D. — associate professor and chair of the Department of Media Production, Management, and Technology — encouraged Abolfathi to attend Gotham Week in New York, an independent film industry event that gave her a taste of the broader world of documentary filmmaking.
“The Gotham experience changed the way I think about my career,” Abolfathi said. “I left with new ideas and a real sense of where I want to go next.”
In April, Abolfathi received two awards from the College of Journalism and Communications: the May Burton Award for Broadcast Production Excellence and the Ruth and Rae O. Weimer Award, which is given to the top student of the college each year.
Abolfathi’s next step is still coming into focus. While she plans to continue making independent documentaries, she is also considering graduate school to further refine her artistic vision.
“I respond well to school, and I think there’s value in continuing to learn,” she said, citing Duke University and Stanford University among her top choices. As she prepares to graduate, Abolfathi is reflecting on the uncertainty she once felt about pursuing filmmaking as a career.
“People aren’t always kind to artistic ambitions,” Abolfathi said. “There’s this narrative that only a select few make it. But looking back at what I’ve been able to accomplish at UF — the films, the awards, the support I’ve received — it feels real now. I can call myself a filmmaker.”