Clemson Student Diana Wells Makes History With First-Ever Feature Film at Her University — And She’s Just Getting Started

A Clemson University student from North Augusta, South Carolina, is turning heads in the film world — and she hasn’t even graduated yet.

Diana Wells, a World Cinema major set to graduate in May 2026, has been on a fast track toward a real career in film production. From working inside one of the biggest studios in North America to walking a red carpet premiere, her journey is one that many young filmmakers only dream about.

Wells always knew what she wanted. “I just love film, I wanted to go into film, and I wanted to work in film,” she said. Her path at Clemson was shaped early on by Senior Lecturer John Smith, who has led the World Cinema program for several years, building it around strong film theory foundations.

Things shifted even more when Professor of Practice Sam Sokolow — a seasoned film and television producer — joined the program. He brought hands-on film production courses that gave students like Wells real experience behind the camera.

“Most of the films we make are not because we have an assignment, it’s because we have an idea and want to do it,” Wells noted.

In the summer of 2025, two big doors opened for her.

The first was a Maymester program at the Trilith Institute, located near Atlanta. The Trilith Institute is the educational arm of Trilith Studios — the largest film production facility in North America and a filming location for three of the ten highest-grossing films of all time. Clemson University serves as the accrediting academic partner for the institute.

In just two weeks, a group of ten Clemson students — including Wells — worked alongside industry professionals to create a short film titled “Unstuck.”

“It was so gratifying to be there with my peers, witnessing a professional piece of work that we had done together. It was gratifying knowing that we were the first,” Wells said. She called it one of the top ten experiences of her life.

The very day she returned to Clemson from Trilith, she stepped into an even bigger project — Student Film: The Movie. This was the first feature film ever produced by Clemson University, made possible through a grant from the South Carolina Film Commission and produced by Sokolow.

Wells served as associate director on the project, working side by side with writer and director Julia Fowler, known for Netflix‘s Country Comfort, and YouTube’s Southern Women Channel.

“My favorite part of directing is working with actors,” Wells explained. She described how Fowler would often send her on one-on-one sessions with student actors who had never appeared on screen before — a task that carried real responsibility.

Her work on both Trilith and Student Film: The Movie opened doors to Atlanta-based production companies, including one project that took her all the way to the island of Nevis for an on-location shoot.

In February 2026, Wells had the chance to walk the red carpet as Student Film: The Movie held its invite-only premiere at the packed Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University.

It was a full-circle moment — from the heat of production to the lights of a real premiere stage.

“We have a family of people who are willing to ride for each other, who are willing to really sacrifice their time and our resources for each other, and support each other creatively,” she said.

Diana Wells is proof that with the right program, the right mentors, and the right drive, a student filmmaker can make real industry moves — long before graduation day. Her story was first covered by Clemson University.