This is what meaningful student storytelling looks like! Aaron Chan ’26 and Evan Purnell ’25, cinema and television arts majors, are earning widespread praise for their short documentary “The Desert Gardener,” which shares the inspiring story of James Gardner – a former science teacher who now fights food insecurity through urban farming. From its Hollywood premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre to winning Best in Festival at the 100 Strong Student Film Festival and an Award of Excellence from the BEA Festival of Media Arts, the film is resonating far and wide. Behind the lens, Chan and Purnell spent nearly a year completing the documentary, fueled by their desire to share Gardner’s impactful story. To learn more about the film, click the link in our bio. #StudentFilm #DocumentaryStorytelling #ElonUniversity #CinemaAndTelevisionArts #TheDesertGardener #UrbanFarming #FilmmakingWithPurpose #FilmFestivalSuccess