MCFC Selects Jameson Paull and Julian Sumano as 2025 Film Student Scholarship Winners

(Monterey, CA — Jan. 7, 2026) — The Monterey County Film Commission has announced two award winners in the film commission’s 2025 Director Emeritus Richard Tyler Film Student Scholarship Award program.

Jameson Paull and Julian Sumano, both California State University, Monterey Bay students in the Cinematic Arts and Technology Department, were selected and each will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Jameson Paull

Julian Sumano

The Monterey County Film Commission’s scholarship program was created in 2008 to provide financial aid and incentive to students of film enrolled in a college or university in Monterey County. The fund was established as a permanent endowment with the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

The 2025 winners expressed their appreciation to the film commission–

“Receiving the scholarship feels like a lot more than an award to me,” said Paull. “It is a humbling message of belief in my story. Being an honored recipient fuels my creative passion stronger than ever, and I am sincerely grateful to know that my efforts have been seen and supported by our local professional community.”

“This scholarship is more than financial support—it is the hope that is placed in my hands, giving me the motivation to keep studying hard to someday reach my career,” said Sumano. “It’s a light that carries me forward to show that my lifelong dreams are worth chasing.”

Contributions to the film commission’s Director Emeritus Richard Tyler Film Student Scholarship Award Program were made by the Craig and Paula Tigerman family, Jeryl and Ron Abelmann, Honest Engine Films, Annee Martin, Dino Cocalis, and numerous local businesses and individuals. Additional donations are welcomed for the 2026 scholarship award for future filmmakers in Monterey County.

The next Director Emeritus Richard Tyler Film Student Scholarship Award competition will run in the month of February 2026. For more information, go to 2026 Scholarship or contact the Monterey County Film Commission at info@FilmMonterey.org or call 831-646-0910.