About Me

Hi! My name is Samanta Stidham. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I studied Journalism and Digital Studies, with an emphasis in film.

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​I believe the best way to spend your life is to live it authentically and fully. For me, this means being a storyteller. I have learned that stories can be found anywhere if you only know how to listen. I pride myself on being an outgoing, self-motivated individual who strives to find those stories and share them with empathy, authenticity, and passion. 

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Through my experiences, at UW-Madison, in Film Festivals, and now as a freelance journalist, I have honed my skills in research, source gathering, interviewing, filming, editing, and storytelling as a whole. In 2023 I created my first short film, "Take the Goggles Off," and was honored to win The IES Study Abroad Film Festival, as well as the GoAbroad Innovative Student Video Award. I am currently engaged in freelance work with a variety of organizations, working to tell meaningful and unique stories through film. 

 

Looking to the future, I plan to pursue a career in film/documentary making. Film is a powerful medium for storytelling, and I am excited about using it to highlight meaningful stories based on real people, and the natural world. 

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Outside of professional pursuits, I enjoy spending time in nature. Growing up I spent much of my time in the outdoors. This developed into a deep love for the natural world, and a personal commitment to its preservation. I also enjoy music, and spending time with my family and friends.

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Thank you for taking the time to get to know me! Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or just to tell me your story.