47th Annual Telly Awards Honors ORU Film with Nine Awards, Including Two Golds

Tulsa, Oklahoma, July 7, 2026-Oral Roberts University (ORU) Cinema & Media Arts department won nine awards at the 47th Annual Telly Awards. "ATTI Clothing Brand Promo," directed by recent graduate Joel Foga, and "Welcome Christmas," directed by Mireya "Mimi" Flores (ORU Media & Arts Sr. Producer), both won Gold Awards. The annual competition draws over 13,000 global entries from leading institutions and production companies. Winners were selected by a panel of over 250 industry experts from leading networks, studios, and creative firms such as Netflix, Adobe, and Meta.

"Our students continue to develop their creativity, technical excellence, and spiritual depth as redemptive storytellers," said Dr. Norman Mintle, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Cultural Studies. "This national recognition affirms the power of our hands-on, Christ-centered approach to media education at ORU. Watching our students grow in their expertise as redemptive storytellers for the world and be awarded for their excellence, innovation, and creativity is a great delight."

For their student projects, ORU filmmakers won multiple Telly awards. "ATTI Clothing Brand Promo," one of ORU's Gold Telly winners, was inspired by ORU student Lorenzo Aragona, a passionate fashion artist whose vision inspired both reflection and action.

"We took the time to dream, plan, and ultimately bring that vision to life-not simply to create," said Foga, "but to make the most of the gifts God has entrusted to us. More than a project, it was a reminder that when passion, purpose, and perseverance come together, meaningful things can happen."

"ATTI Clothing Brand Promo" -Branded Content, Student Category

ATTI Clothing Brand Promo - Branded Content, Student Category
Directed by CMA graduate Joel Foga

"Welcome Christmas," the second Gold Telly winner, was inspired by the goal of producing a film that could entertain and connect with people of all generations and cultural backgrounds.

"As an artist, I am passionate about sharing my perspective of the world through music and storytelling," said Flores. "When creating this project, I took a blend of musical styles, from classical cello arrangements to rhythmic guitar solos-I wanted to tell a story that communicated emotion beyond words. I hope the film inspires joy, reflection, and a sense of connection among audiences everywhere, regardless of the language they speak."

"Welcome Christmas"-Film & Shorts, Student Category

Welcome Christmas - Film & Shorts, Student Category
Directed by ORU's Media Arts Project Coordinator, Alumna Mireya "Mimi" Flores, who led a crew of students, and alumna Natalia Soto, Director of Photography:

• Paxton Monagan: First Assistant Director and Talent
• Daniel Francisco: First Assistant Camera
• David Moradel: Second Assistant Camera
• Nathan Tinkler: Production Designer
• Julia Reed: Gaffer
• Zach Andre: Lighting Technician
• Kenneh Ikutiminu: Lighting Technician
• Eric Hastings: Production Assistant
• Wing Ching "Dorcas" Leung: Assistant Audio Engineer
• Ava Jones: Assistant Music Engineer and Talent
• Mackeyla Merei: Assistant Music Engineer
• Esteban Blanco: Talent
• Sergio Diaz: Talent
• Gabrielle Vallelonga: Talent
• Gabi Naville - Talent

The 2026 ORU Silver Award winners are:

• Nails - Producer / Director: Sophia Spann
• Pure Dumb Luck - Writer / Director / Editor / Cast: William Rensel
• Granville Ad Team Spot - NFL - Producer / Director: Paxton Monagan

The 2026 ORU Bronze Award winners are:

• Teenage Wasteland - Writer / Director / Editor: Sophia Spann
• Masterpiece or Nothing - Director / Co-Writer: Kenneth Reyna
• Awakened - Writer / Director / Editor: Sophie Rose
• Half of Us - Writer / Director: Joel Foga

These Telly awards reflect ORU's continued investment in student filmmakers and future artists. ORU's two-story, 74,000-square-foot building for student filmmakers, the Peggy V. Helmerich Media Arts Center (MAC), is home to ORU's growing film department, along with the University's theatre, dance, music, and digital media departments.

To see all of ORU's Telly Awards, please click here.

ABOUT ORU'S CINEMA & MEDIA ARTS PROGRAM

The Cinema & Media Arts (CMA) program at Oral Roberts University prepares students to become Storytellers to the World-technically skilled, spiritually grounded creatives who lead in today's rapidly evolving media industries.

Students receive hands-on experience from day one, working in state-of-the-art facilities including three professional sound stages, a fully equipped XR virtual production stage, TV control rooms, edit suites, and podcast studios. Academic offerings include the B.F.A. in Cinema & Media Arts, focusing on cinematic storytelling, and the B.S. in Cinema & Media Arts, emphasizing multi-platform production, including sports broadcasting, church media, and live event coverage.

CMA students regularly crew Division I broadcasts through the ORU Sports Network (ORUSN), livestream campus events to global audiences, and complete internships with leading media organizations.

To learn more about ORU's Cinema & Media Arts program or view student work, visit https://www.instagram.com/artistsatoru/.

Nationally Ranked, Globally Recognized

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 17 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. In 2024, the Carnegie Foundation recognized ORU with a "Leadership for Public Purpose" award, a distinction earned by only 25 universities nationwide. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 176 nations in the last 7 years to be whole leaders for the whole world.