Get to know the MFA Students

Micah Arnott is from Washington, but has lived up and down the West Coast all his life. He is a graduate from the MSU film program and wanted to return due to a love of nature documentaries and wanting to forward his career towards that. If he’s not at work or school, he’s usually spending his time hiking, or editing footage from either a gig or nature footage that he’s shot while on the hikes.

Sophie Cajune grew up in Paradise Valley, Montana and studied at Montana State University, beginning in Paleontology but eventually graduating with a B.S. in Organismal Biology and a minor in Museum Studies. Since 2019 she has been involved with the Museum of the Rockies, where her research focuses on Triceratops growth and development, and during COVID she served as the Paleontology Intern at Fossil Butte National Monument in Wyoming. Since then she has been able to study abroad in Seoul, work for cave paleontology camps in Tennessee, and dig for dinosaurs in Eastern Montana. Sophie is interested in science communication and education, human–nature connections, evolution, anatomy, and the history of science, and hopes to continue broadening her horizons in the SNHF program.

Cecilia Carniti is from Milan, Italy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science and a Master’s degree in Evolutionary Biology from the Università degli Studi di Milano. Her academic path led her to conduct a year-long research project on the effects of outdoor recreational activities on the spatiotemporal behaviour of wild ungulates in an alpine protected area in Italy. Alongside her scientific training, Cecilia nurtured a strong passion for the visual arts. She completed a digital and analogue photography course at Bauer, Milan’s renowned school of photography, where she explored the power of images as tools for storytelling and communication. She enrolled in the SNHF program to pursue her true vocation: becoming a messenger for causes such as climate change and biodiversity loss, by creating films that convey the urgent need to preserve our planet’s ecosystems and make science accessible to all.

Ben Churchwell is a science communicator who aims to explore how the holistic language of film can shape social constructions of nature and influence how people inhabit our shifting environment. His roots are in Washington’s Puget Sound. Growing up in the mountains and estuaries, and working some on the region’s shellfish farms, has permanently anchored his heart to that ecosystem. He received his B.S. in Environmental Biology, along with a minor in Writing, from Montana State University. In some previous work, he has created public-facing articles for Grand Teton National Park, providing coverage of research initiatives like the glacier monitoring program and the work of the wildlife brigade. On behalf of the Gallatin Wildlife Association, he currently hosts a weekly radio program on KGVM FM Bozeman, titled Wilderness & Wildlife. He is stoked to explore narratives across all areas of science but has a special interest in riparian biogeochemistry, novel ecosystems, the human-wildlife interface, and the localized effects of climate change on communities.

Curran Collier is a science communicator and filmmaker from Colorado. He holds a B.A. in Astronomy and Philosophy from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he specialized in planetary science and the philosophy of time. In undergrad, he wrote science articles for the public and worked as a Presenter and Outreach Specialist at Fiske Planetarium, one of the largest planetariums in the States. This experience in immersive, planetarium-style science education, paired with his life-long love of photography, led him to explore documentary film as a powerful medium of science communication. Filmmaking is his means of synthesizing disciplines, always remaining a student, and exploring the evolving story of science — past, present, and future. His work can be viewed at currancollier.com.

Hazel Cramer is a freelance documentary photographer and filmmaker. She was born in Seattle and graduated with a BA in Multimedia Journalism from the University of Montana in 2021. Growing up in a diverse city, she fell in love with the complexity and nuance of the human experience. This is what drives her work. Since graduating with her BA, Hazel has produced multiple Documentary Photography stories for regional magazines, directed a feature length documentary on rural maternal healthcare in Montana, was awarded the Big Sky Film Grant for an upcoming short doc, and has been fortunate in working with other Montana filmmakers on their passion projects. Over her undergrad and post grad experience, she gained a love for outdoor recreation, and the natural world. Hazel acted as a NPS certified raft guide in Grand Teton National Park, then began finding other ways to travel through the mountains. Depending on the season, you'll find her skiing on a powder day, biking on a flow trail, or running long miles in the mountains near home. Now entering school, she is excited to pursue stories that amplify the voices of those who need a bigger platform.

Daniel Galvet hails from New Haven, Connecticut. I graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2023 with a B.S. in Biology and a Minor in Anthropology. Since early childhood, I have been deeply fascinated with the natural world and an avid watcher of documentaries about it. I enjoy learning about the great diversity of plants and animals that exists, how species function, and how they came to be, as well as sharing that information with others. I have worked at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History assisting with collections management, studied shrew genomics at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and conducted field research on migratory birds. My studies in Anthropology serendipitously provided me with my first experiences in video and audio production; my "capstone" comprised a self-produced journalistic podcast and a short documentary film about the Quinnipiac people. To me, MSU's SNHF program seemed like a tailormade opportunity to blend my passions for zoology, science communication, and art forms like writing and video. I hope to create programs that paint comprehensive but accessible portraits of the planet's fauna, not only showcasing the wonders of nature to wide audiences, but giving myself the chance to see them with my own eyes in the process.

Connor Lavigne is from Wells, Maine, a small coastal town that survives on summer tourism. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Miami earning a BS in Ecosystem Science and Policy with minors in Geology and Cinematic Arts. Connor enjoys teaching about environmental science and conservation; he held a Camp Counselor and Youth Educator position at Sanibel Sea School where he taught ages 4-16 about marine science. Connor feels most comfortable in the untouched wilderness and enjoys wildlife photography and videography. He hopes to reinstate the ideology of sustainable living in the American public during and after his time in the MSU SNHF MFA program. Connor's dream career is to be a National Geographic Explorer.

Davey Walters is a naturalist and photographer from Massachusetts. He holds a B.A. in environmental studies from Hobart College in Geneva, NY, where he double-minored in biology and media. Never without a camera in his hand, he is passionate about telling old stories in new ways and new stories in every way. His work and studies have led him across the world, as a field biologist in the Appalachian mountains, a certified scuba diver in the Canary Islands, a camera operator in Bangladesh, and more. He is excited to add tools for narrative and production to his kit in the SNHF program, while engaging with the deeply-connected ecological and social systems in southwest Montana and beyond.

Corey Elliott is a documentary filmmaker and experimental wildlife photographer with a diverse professional and educational background. After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022 with a B.S. in Journalism and a Minor in Animal Science, Corey spent time as a climbing instructor, camp counselor, paraprofessional, outdoor guide, and media specialist before moving to Bozeman to take a job as a Big Sky children's ski instructor. He enrolled in the SNHF program to synthesize these past experiences with a passion for visual media, animals, and a desire to be pushed creatively. Corey's primary interests lie in our understanding of and relationships with animals and the natural world.

Drew Racioppa is from Upstate New York. He earned his B.S. in Conservation Biology from St. Lawrence University in Canton. He chose the SNHF program for several compelling reasons, primarily centered around the theme of connection. He aims to bridge the gap between the natural world and the people who inhabit it, while also deepening his own connection to both nature and community. Since relocating to Bozeman, He’s thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The program has introduced him to a diverse array of inspiring individuals and provided him with a fresh perspective on Bozeman.

Kaiden Hancock is a filmmaker from central Florida with a B.F.A. in Film Production from The University of Tampa. During her undergraduate degree, she found a passion for telling stories of the natural world and embraced this passion through documentaries that spoke on the ecological issues of coastal waterway systems as well as the wildlife in them. This, partnered with her long-time appreciation for history and exploration of all kinds, made MSU’s Science and Natural History Filmmaking MFA the perfect next step to learn how to combine all of her long-term interests into something that could one day interest and inspire others.

Madison Sherman is a documentary filmmaker from Tucson, Arizona. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Allegheny College. With a background in nature education, she has worked as an interpretive guide for both the National Park Service and US Forest Service, and has taught aquatic ecology and watershed science to children. She taught English in the south of Spain before pursuing her MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking at MSU. Her creative interests involve exploring human stories and their connection to scientific and environmental topics. Alongside her work as a student filmmaker, she is the Graduate Student Assistant for the SNHF program.

Mitch Milbauer is a filmmaker and photojournalist who is driven to tell a wide variety of stories about the natural world and the interaction between humans and the environment. His main focus is where climate change intersects with outdoor recreation. Much of the time you will find him in the mountains on skis, ropes, bikes, or exploring the ocean. His passion for long days outside has propelled him all over the globe. This has led him to document everything from surfing down the Chilean coastline, high-consequence skiing and climbing in the Tetons, and bikepacking in far-flung locales.

He is currently working towards his MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking at Montana State University and his AMGA Ski Guide Certification.

Timmy Mooring is conspiring to travel the world and look at animals by becoming a wildlife photographer and videographer. From San Diego, California, Timmy studied Environmental Studies with a concentration in Biology at Point Loma Nazarene University. Since graduating in 2022, they have worked seasonal conservation jobs and internships in Colorado, New Mexico, Costa Rica, and Montana. They chose this program due to their passion for conservation and wildlife, and they hope to be involved in film projects that contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.  

You can take a look at some of their photos here at www.tmoowildlife.com/portfolio

Akash Gulati is a physicist turned filmmaker whose interest lies in science communication. He earned his bachelor's degree in physics from Panjab University and subsequently attained a master’s degree in physics from the distinguished Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, specializing in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics. During his master’s, he investigated the optical properties of 2D Van der Waals heterostructures at ultra-low temperatures. He also has considerable experience in theatre and storytelling which he intends to combine with his passion for physics to create films that entertain, educate, and inspire.

Film interest: Akash Gulati is interested in films that lie at the intersection of science and society. Through his work, he aims to explore our society's ever-changing relationship with science and technology. Additionally, he is passionate about creating accessible science communication content in various regional languages.

Anirudh Nedanooru is a filmmaker drawn to the textures of time and the quiet dynamics of place. His work explores how sound, framing, and duration shape perception, inviting viewers to experience film as an act of attention rather than a linear narrative. Anirudh examines ancient philosophy through elemental imagery and immersive sound design, deepening his interest in form as a means of evoking states of mind rather than illustrating ideas.

Building on these foundations, his current practice blends experimental nonfiction and ethnographic sensibilities to create films that function as contemplative spaces. Influenced by meditative traditions and minimalist cinema, he seeks to craft work that reveals how perception transforms the ordinary and how film can make time itself visible.

Savannah Schneider is a human-sized gremlin coming into the SNHF program as part of Cohort 23. She was born and raised in the extreme climate of Minnesota and has lived in many nations in and outside of the United States. She has been poor (financially) for much of her life, and states the best part of being poor is learning to be resourceful, while cultivating a dark, deadpan sense of humor is a close second. She hopes to someday be less poor, or perhaps just more resourceful. She is a lifelong creative weirdo and is excited to start working on projects and learn from other human and non-human teachers in her new community.

Her film interests are varied and subject to much development and change but often focus on sensory aspects and experience of reality. She enjoys illuminating the complexity and entanglement of natural systems through a combination of wide and narrow focus. She is also interested in exploring variations of narrative form as a way to facilitate engagement in a more holistic, empathetic form of science storytelling.

Wish her luck.

Zachary Garmoe is a documentary filmmaker and photographer with a background in coastal and marine sciences. Zachary graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2017 with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Cinematic Arts. He then proceeded to work for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, managing a remote educational center and witnessing firsthand the rapidly eroding tidal landscape. Following this position, he worked as an estuarine scientist for the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, managing a continuous water quality program and monitoring forage fish populations. Zachary is particularly interested in films focusing on both overlooked and charismatic ecosystems, found in backyards, national parks, interstate medians, and everywhere in between.

His work can be viewed at www.zacharygarmoe.com.

Andrew Motte is a visual artist from New York City who has worked in interior design, fashion photography, and reality television. During his first year in the SNHF Program, he crafted films on a wide variety of topics, from the portrait of an acclaimed local nature writer, to an experimental odyssey across the deserts of Arizona. He wishes to continue to push the boundaries of nonfiction by incorporating surrealism and advanced sensorial techniques into his filmmaking.

Leif Everson is a graduate student and filmmaker currently living in Bozeman, Montana. As a member of the Science and Natural History Filmmaking Program at Montana State University, Leif enjoys telling an array of visual stories, especially those relating to the environment, humanities, and the sciences. Prior to the graduate program at MSU, Leif attended Boise State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. Leif’s current research is focused on the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the specific challenges and opportunities which arise when the two intersect.

Lex Harold is a filmmaker focused on the intersection of fiction and nonfiction as well as the relationship between humans and the environment. He graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in biology.

His current research interests include 16mm film, social justice advocacy, and expanding the form and ambitions of documentary storytelling.