UCF’s Center for Distributed Learning has garnered national acclaim for its groundbreaking docuseries, A Break for Impact, and its latest short documentary, Beneath the Same Sky. Both projects have transformed classrooms at UCF and achieved remarkable recognition, including a record-breaking 10 Suncoast Emmy nominations and a world premiere at DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival.

The A Break for Impact project began in 2020, spearheaded by Irene Pons ’00, a senior lecturer in UCF’s Department of Legal Studies and executive producer. Pons envisioned an immersive educational initiative to expose students to real-life legal and humanitarian issues at the U.S.-Mexico border. Over four phases, the project expanded to document student volunteer experiences at border hotspots like Brownsville and El Paso in Texas and Tijuana, Mexico.

As the project evolved, the CDL team, led by Media Production Manager and Lead Producer Aaron Hosé, amplified its storytelling power. Hosé, a nine-time regional Emmy Award winner, emphasized the educational and artistic value of the productions.

“We are committed to creating content that improves the student learning experience and adds real value,” Hosé says. “This is why we do what we do at the Center for Distributed Learning —to help elevate the quality of media used in online courses.”

The latest phase of the project, Beneath the Same Sky, reached new heights. Directed, produced, and filmed by award-winning filmmaker and CDL video producer Christine Kane, the documentary offers a rare, balanced look at the intersection of humanity and duty at the border. It captures moments like riding along with Border Patrol agents, juxtaposed with the stories of migrants seeking a better life.

Rick Brunson ’84, field producer for the docuseries and senior instructor at UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media, described the border as a space “where duty and dreams collide,” aiming to humanize all sides of the immigration debate.

Both A Break for Impact and Beneath the Same Sky are being used as innovative teaching tools. Pons integrates the series into her immigration law courses, using short modules to engage students in reflection and discussion.

“Many students have told me these stories changed their career paths or ignited a call to action,” Pons says. Brunson echoed this sentiment, highlighting the documentaries’ use in journalism courses to teach epistemology and firsthand storytelling.

The CDL team’s 10 Suncoast Emmy nominations span across Beneath the Same Sky (4 nominations) and two other video productions, in categories such as Direction, Editing and Public Affairs. They represent the highest number of Emmy nominations achieved by a UCF department.

“This is unprecedented and speaks to the dedication and excellence of everyone involved,” Pons says.

The recognition reflects years of collaboration and commitment to telling impactful, human-centered stories.

“These awards are the icing on the cake,” Hosé says. “The real value lies in how these stories educate and inspire.”

Although the projects have achieved new heights, the team remains dedicated to continuing their impactful storytelling. Pons and Brunson are already exploring new stories. The next story in post-production follows a student who reunited with her family after 10 years — a powerful example of the personal and global connections A Break for Impact fosters.

The journey of A Break for Impact and Beneath the Same Sky underscores UCF’s commitment to blending education with storytelling, producing content that informs, inspires, and moves audiences.

As the team prepares for the Suncoast Emmy Awards on Dec. 7, one thing is clear: UCF’s dedication to quality and innovation has set a new standard for educational storytelling.