Kiersten “K.E.” Houser, a teacher and multi-modal filmmaker studying in UNCW’s Filmmaking MFA program, creates character-driven stories, many times using her own life and interests to make themes more dynamic, comedic and quirky. As a writer/director, she’s earned awards such as “Best Student Film” and “Best Suspense Film,” most recently winning PBS NC’s 2022 “Reel South Award,” an honor only bestowed upon one NC documentary filmmaker each year. She was also awarded UNCW’s 2023 “Teaching Assistantship Award,” given only to a select few graduate instructors each school year. But her real passion lies in passing on her love of film to her wife, Megan, and her son, Boone, both of whom work on every project she creates.