Sarah Ballard

Sarah Ballard serves as a Film Lecturer in the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she simultaneously completes her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Cinematic Arts. Her experimental film work has gained international recognition through screenings at Antimatter [Media Art], San Diego Underground Film Festival, Engauge Experimental Film Festival, Onion City Experimental Film Festival, and Montreal Independent Film Festival. In 2023, she received the prestigious Princess Grace Award in Film for exceptional promise in cinematic arts.

Her educational background includes:

• MFA in Cinematic Arts, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (in progress)

Ballard's creative research centers on experimental film techniques and new media expression, exploring the intersection of traditional animation with digital innovation. Her practice challenges conventional narrative structures through avant-garde visual storytelling and material experimentation, often incorporating hand-crafted animation processes within contemporary video frameworks. This work engages critically with the evolving landscape of independent film production and exhibition.

Award Highlights:

• 2023 Princess Grace Award in Film (recognizing emerging talent in film)

As an educator, Ballard mentors students in film production and theory within UWM's interdisciplinary program. While specific advising relationships aren't documented, her festival presence indicates active engagement with emerging filmmakers through workshops and critiques. Her professional trajectory demonstrates the integration of creative practice with academic instruction, supported by the Princess Grace Foundation's recognition of her artistic merit.