In 2017, SFA launched our Summer Documentary Film Internship program to encourage and nurture emerging documentary filmmakers. For two months each summer, paid interns work directly under the guidance and mentorship of SFA’s Pihakis Foodways Documentary Filmmaker, Ava Lowrey. In addition to hands on learning through pre- and post-production assistance on current projects, the interns direct and edit individual film projects with producers Ava Lowrey and John T. Edge. Mountain Valley Spring Water generously underwrites these internships.

We’re pleased to introduce our 2019 Summer Documentary Film Interns.


Kat Hernandez is a writer, video storyteller and graduate journalism student at the Craig Newmark School of Journalism in New York City. She has worked with food as both a pastry chef and food journalist. As an emerging documentarian, she aspires to tell stories about the complex history and relationships individuals and communities have with food.

Zaire Love is a multidisciplinary artist and graduate student at the University of Mississippi where she studies as an MFA student in Documentary Expression. As a student, she has created multiples films that seek to honor and amplify Southern voices, especially southern women of color.


Forrest Mason is a self-taught photographer and videographer from North Carolina. He has worn many hats, from line cook and recipe taxonomist to content producer. Recently, he has shifted his focus to the stories and characters who make up the culinary community in his neighborhood and region.