University of Wisconsin's Connor Sorg Wins Study Abroad Film Festival for "The Journey is the Dream"

We rolled out the red carpet for our 10th Annual Study Abroad Film Festival at VenueSIX10 in downtown Chicago on Thursday, October 17th—all in benefit of IES Abroad scholarships. It was a packed, sold out audience of IES Abroad Alums, including five of the Film Festival Winners from previous years, Staff, University and College Partners, Board Members, friends and family, and study abroad lovers from across the globe.

To honor the 10th anniversary of the Film Festival, the film screening kicked the night off with a mini documentary encapsulating the evolution of the Film Festival over the last decade, the faces behind the magic, and the importance of students having a platform to tell their story.

Connor Sorg (University of Wisconsin-Madison | IES Abroad Milan, Spring 2024) took home the Grand Prize for his film "The Journey is the Dream."

The award was presented by the Film Festival's three-time host, Patrick Jager, an IES Abroad Vienna alum, Study Abroad Film Festival Juror, and an award-winning media executive who led the development and production team behind such hits as A&E “Biography”, VH1 “Behind the Music,” and the creator of HGTVs mega hit “Fixer Upper.”

Connor received the $1,500 Grand Prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to Vienna for next year's Film Festival, and secured the $5,000 IES Abroad Barbara Bobrich Annual scholarship for a future University of Wisconsin- Madison study abroad student in financial need, made possible by a $600,000 donation by the late Barbara Bobrich.

Plus, it's exciting that our Festival and Connor received lots of love from the media including The Chicago Tribune, Fox 32 Chicago, NBC Chicago, and more! Check out the media coverage.

During Patrick’s celebratory opening remarks, he said,

“Every year the bar is raised, and the quality of films is better and better. Watching your films I yearned to be watching Cape Town sunsets beside friends, finding new ways to follow my dreams/explore my passions while abroad, and getting the chance to pause and think more deeply about my role in our global community. For those of you who have not seen any of this year’s films, you are in for a treat. Each story’s uniquely different and equally captivating. And THAT is truly powerful. ”
Patrick Jager | IES Abroad Vienna Alum | Study Abroad Film Festival Juror | Award-winning Media Executive

Watch the 2024 Film Festival Event

Connor Sorg is a Senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison double majoring in Marketing and Film. He studied abroad with IES Abroad Milan during the 2024 Spring term. His film was awarded top honors based on votes by the public, who were able to watch the films online and vote for their favorite Finalist film.

Connor's film, “The Journey is the Dream,” is a visually captivating film that highlights his experience grappling with the pressures of pursuing a traditional career versus pursuing his passion for music and DJing. Through his unique experiences, self motivation, and reflection, he realizes that the true dream lies not in the destination, but in the journey itself.

Upon accepting the Grand Prize Winner Award, Connor gave his winning speech saying:

"So I’d say this is somewhat of a dream come true but that would be a little hypocritical of me after my film. I’ve been making films for the past 10 years of my life and I’ve loved every second of it. Every step of the journey has been a learning experience since I picked up a camera. I want to say thank you to my childhood friend Steketee — he’s the one who started this with me. He’s the one who shot all the Norway footage. I love you and you mean a lot to me. My family, thank you. Thank you all for being a part of this journey. Thank you to IES Abroad for providing me with this journey and for all the opportunities that it’s given me. And again, I want to reiterate to you guys that my film serves as an inspiration to follow your journey, follow your path, no matter where it takes you, trust yourself because there’s no better person than yourself."

- Connor Sorg | University of Wisconsin-Madison | IES Abroad Milan | Spring 2024

The Finalist films were viewed and narrowed down to three Finalist films by a prominent jury of directors, editors, producers and screenwriters, the majority of whom are either IES Abroad alumni or Film Studies faculty from IES Abroad’s international Centers.

This year’s Film Festival runners-up were:

"In the Heart of the Motherland" | by Walezka Abdala (University of Richmond) | IES Abroad Cape Town | Spring 2024

“In the Heart of the Motherland” beautifully illustrates a glimpse into the lives of students in Cape Town, and also serves as a reflection on the universal themes of youth, community, and the profound impact of place on personal development.

“Proxycontin” | Alex Carlon (Grinnell College), Carly Fein (Penn State University), Ariela Leventhal (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill) | IES Abroad Amsterdam | Spring 2024

"Proxycontin" explores themes of isolation, complicity, and the desire for involvement without direct risk, reflecting a broader societal trend of disengagement in the face of pressing global issues.

Amy Ruhter McMillan, Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing and Founder of the IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival, was honored at the Festival for being the visionary behind the event and the founder of the Study Abroad Film Festival. Amy received the Standing Ovation Award for her incredible creativity and unwavering belief in the power of student stories.

“Flashback to about 11 years ago, iPhones are becoming much more of an actual camera in your hand, and that revolutionized what we could do in Marketing, so I went into my bosses office and said ‘I think we should have a Film Festival - we’ll host it online on Facebook, which is where it originated, and just see what happens' ... I never thought we would get here. From Facebook to this, it's been a ride. Thank you for being here and I can't believe we SOLD OUT and we've raised $1 million dollars?! This is amazing.”
Amy Ruhter McMillan | Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing | IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival Founder

To date, the IES Abroad Film Festival has raised more than $1 million for IES Abroad programs and scholarships!

The IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival gave attendees the opportunity to engage with students, alumni, and the local film and entertainment communities, as well as to raise awareness about the power of study abroad. The red-carpet event showcased incredible students and their enriched educational experiences through their films, in addition to helping raise IES Abroad scholarship funds to send even more students abroad.

Through these visual journeys, the Film Festival helps increase the awareness of the benefits of studying abroad to new audiences, as well as helps raise IES Abroad scholarship funds to send even more students abroad.

Patrick Jager, Film Festival Host, at the podium

This year’s Film Festival sponsors include: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Cultural Insurance Services International, Jakala, Lockton Companies, Huron, Magellan Promotions, Radisson Blu, More Visibility, Emily Sachs Wong, Graphic Arts, Global Leadership, Lora and Greg Hess, Nicole Klotz, Erika and Jon Maschmeyer, Passport to Global Leadership, Deirdre and Alex Campbell, Susan and Tom Kuczmarski, Marni and Andrew Weiner, Megha Whiteman, Spirit of Study Abroad, Robin Phelps Hanson, Pratyasha Rath.

Congratulations to Connor and all the Finalists! Learn more about the IES Abroad Film Festival and you can still watch the livestream from the event!