June 5, 2025

Impact: Ferris State documentary about students gaining hands-on skills at X Games honored with national award

A Ferris State University documentary about students working as interns at the X Games was among top prize winners in video competition conducted by a national marketing and communications organization.

“Where Impact Lands: The X Games Intern Experience” earned a Gold Viddy Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professions.

“This isn’t just a story about sports,” said Eric Hazen, Ferris State’s executive director of Digital Experience and Marketing. “It’s a story about growth, resilience, and finding your footing when the terrain gets rough. That’s the Ferris State experience in a nutshell. Students gain in-demand skills in the classrooms with seasoned pros, but also out in the real world, learning on the job. We take pride in telling stories like this, and we’re honored to be recognized for it.”

The documentary was produced by Hazen and directed and edited by Ferris State videographer Ellen Dziubek.

“Where Impact Lands” followed the educational and personal growth of Ferris State students gaining hands-on experience in hospitality roles at the X Games, an international snow sports competition that this year took place in Aspen, Colorado.

Working under the leadership of professors Amy Dorey and Karyn Kiio of the College of Business, Ferris State students navigated challenges and filled a variety of impactful roles, from guest services to presenting medals.

“It's so important to me to create real, authentic content,” Dziubek said. “Documentary storytelling brings that authenticity to university marketing by highlighting real students and unscripted experiences. This transparency builds trust for the audience, helping prospective students and families feel confident in the university’s values and community.”

AMCP is a Dallas-based organization founded in 1995 by a group of videographers, editors, producers, writers, and directors. Their mission was to honor excellence in all aspects of video production.

The competition has attracted tens of thousands of entries from more than 135 countries, making it one of the largest competitions in the world of film and video. Entries come from marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers.  

Ferris State is the only Michigan university honored in this year’s Viddy Awards, and one of just a handful of educational institutions selected.