USC Students Win Best Drama At 44th College Television Awards

Three students from the University of Southern California won the Drama Series category at the Television Academy Foundation’s 44th College Television Awards. The annual awards show recognizes and rewards excellence in student-produced programs from colleges nationwide. Winners at the competition were announced by television stars at the red carpet awards ceremony on April 5 at the Television Academy in North Hollywood, California.

Kateryna Kurganska (director, producer, writer), Don John (producer) and Timur Guseynov (producer) from USC won the Drama Series category for their short film titled Two Breaths. The film tells the story of a man-made disaster that decimates a Pacific island where an 11-year-old native girl is stranded and must find the courage to leave her home behind. A mysterious manta ray named “Two Breaths” helps her escape to safety.

“We chose to tell the story of Two Breaths because it explores universal themes of resilience, the fragile beauty of life and having to leave one's home, which resonated deeply with me,” said Guseynov. “The film connects the protagonist’s internal struggle with the transformative power of nature, creating a poetic and emotionally charged narrative. By focusing on human vulnerability and the strength it takes to embrace change, we aimed to tell a story that inspires reflection and empathy. This project was a labor of love, drawn from personal experiences with a commitment to visual storytelling."

“The most challenging part of making Two Breaths was navigating the remote jungle locations, shooting underwater scenes and making sure we achieved what we wanted,” said Guseynov. “These logistical hurdles required meticulous planning and quick problem-solving skills to keep the production on track.”

Designed to emulate the Emmy Awards, student entries are judged by Television Academy members. Criteria for the College Television Awards reflect industry standards of excellence, imagination and innovation.