"Rooted in the Rapids" makes its debut Aug. 31

UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media students launched “Rooted in the Rapids” on Aug. 31, 2015, to tell the stories of the people and culture of the Roanoke River Valley of North Carolina through 15 short films.

It is the 2015 edition of the annual Carolina Photojournalism Workshop (CPJW) project that was founded in 2004. Each year, a group of UNC multimedia students travel to a unique part of North Carolina to produce a documentary website. Faculty and top industry professionals serve as coaches on the project.

Students and coaches traveled to the Roanoke Rapids area in mid-May 2015 after a 2-day video crash course in Carroll Hall.

“This is an intense, valuable learning experience for our students,” said Professor Pat Davison who leads the CPJW team each year. “The final product is a collection of great work that tells the stories of the people and communities of our state.”

In addition to the Roanoke River Valley, CPJW projects have covered the N.C. communities of Manteo, Highlands, the southern Outer Banks, Waynesville, the Brunswick Islands, Asheville, Little Switzerland, the Uwharrie Mountains, Wilmington, the High Country and the Albemarle Sound area.

Past CPJW projects have won Webbys, South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Awards, College Photographer of the Year (CPoY) awards, Horizon Interactive Awards and more.