iMichigan Productions

Donna Ullrich, faculty advisor, directed the first three film festivals. As planned, she stepped back in 2019 to encourage young artists to take the lead. She has 32 years of media teaching experience and considers students her true creative medium. She is most committed to helping them become the best communicators and professionals they can be than working in her own medium – writing. She is a member of the University of Michigan-Flint Communications and Visual Arts faculty. She will continue to advise and help the team secure funding for future festivals.

Her more recent recognitions include two EMMY nominations (2011, 2012) for iMichigan Productions’ “The Michigan Experience: The American Civil War Years.” She is the editor of a companion photography book on the same subject, published in 2014. One of her children’s books have been illustrated and designed by UM-Flint art students. Another was illustrated by an Art faculty colleague and a former student turned professional graphic artist. “Oh, My Word,” addressing the power of words was published in 2018. “I Knew You’d Understand,” addressing the subject of manners was published in 2016.

She also has 35 years as a successful communications professional. Included in her skill set are 20 years of grant development experience and 30 years of public relations and promotions experience. She has 20 years of teaching experience at the University of Michigan-Flint, with an M.A. in mass communication and a law degree from the University of Detroit.