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By Hannah Stewart (Comm'19)
Photos by Kimberly Coffin (CritMedia, StratComm’18)

Angel Mollel (CritMedia’24) is a high achiever—evident by the mosaic of various awards documenting her various academic, athletic and professional achievements. One, however, is particularly special for her: the for her senior capstone film.

“When they announced my name, I was in shock. I jumped right on my phone and texted my friends,” she said. “I was really passionate about making this film and the award validated the work I did, giving me the confidence to pursue documentary further.”

Mollel’s film, New Era: Maasai Coming of Age, won top honors in the short/long form nonfiction category for her film. The project, which chronicled her coming-of-age ceremony in Tanzania, was created for her senior capstone course with Associate Professor Tara Knight.

“Angel came in with a clear vision that was personal, political and cross-cultural,” Knight said. “Her project really stood out because it has that command of technical craft and all the creative components.”

Mollel first moved to the United States in 2012, and when she stayed to attend college at CMCI, it meant she didn’t have a traditional coming of age ceremony. However, she has always maintained a close connection with her roots, coming home most summers to visit her family and work in her community.

Her summer 2023 trip was the chance to complete the ceremony, made all the more special since she would do so alongside some of her sisters. Knowing she would have to create a film for her senior capstone course, this was also her opportunity to share that tradition with the world.

Additionally, since she would be going through the ceremony alongside her sisters, it became the obvious choice for her project.

“I went with the mindset of ‘film as much footage as possible,’” she said. “I was trying new things, teaching my brothers and sisters who weren’t in the ceremony how to use a camera, and I interviewed my family in the days leading up to it.”

The 17-minute film covers two days’ worth of preparations and rituals. Through formal interviews and candid commentary, viewers learn about the various cultural practices—such as hair shaving and sheep blessing—associated with the ceremony.

A notable moment comes about halfway through the film, when viewers see Mollel enter a building as the words “female circumcision” are overlaid on screen. A black screen reading “This part is private” follows the clip; at the end of the piece, viewers learn no circumcision took place.

“This project really made me understand producing, editing and finding what words to use. I found myself becoming an artist because of the choices I was making,” Mollel said. “I want change for both the audience—to be curious about other cultures—and for my culture—to realize you can still practice your rituals and not harm people in the process.”

For Mollel, winning the award was the perfect way to end her senior year. It has also encouraged her to further pursue storytelling—whether through photography, like when she covered CU Buffs football games; broadcast news, like with her current job as an assistant at Fox 31; with her nonprofit ; or as an independent filmmaker.

“I want to make 1Love really big, and then I want to move back to Africa and do something there,” she said. “Whether I’m telling stories or anchoring at the big news stations, I know eventually I will be going back home.”