Senior Bryant Hasheider has been writing scripts since the age of 13 and is now an award winning film student.

With the win of his first film award at the George S. Lindsey Film Festival earlier this year, he gained new experience for his future endeavors.

Hasheider’s screenplay, “The Cat,” a dark comedy detailing a couple’s cat manipulating their failing marriage, won best feature screenplay.

His other submission, “Mattress Monster,” received a nomination for best short screenplay.

The festival also screened his thesis film from last spring, “33 Cloudless Blue,” and a class assignment, “The Smell of Success.”

Hasheider said he went through many ideas throughout his career.

“I wrote several projects throughout middle school and high school, but they’re either lost or unfinished for whatever reason,” he said.

However, Hasheider’s work does not stop at writing. He said after beginning to write screenplays, he developed a desire to direct as well.

“I’ve always been attracted to film because it’s this really rhythmic and colorful, hyperrealistic version of reality,” Hasheider said.

Since coming to UNA, Hasheider has directed several shorts, including “The Witch,” which he filmed in the Communications Building parking lot.

However, Hasheider said directing will always come second to writing.

“I’ve loved writing stories since I was little,” he said. “I’ll always be writing something for me or for somebody. I can’t help myself with writing. It’s the only thing I absolutely can’t not do.”

Hasheider has come a long way in his career but still has a way to go, said Jason Pangilinan, assistant professor of film and digital media production.

“The quality of his scripts have gotten better,” he said. “With the table read he had for ‘The Cat,’ as it was being read aloud, I could already sense how he elevated his skill set. There were still some issues, but it was still good, and I could tell right away he had gotten better.”

Hasheider said even though graduation is drawing near, he remains focused on his career, particularly his major directorial debut, a screen adaptation of “Mattress Monster.”

He is also working on a new script, “The Red Panther,” for one of his classes.

“It’s a really dark, absolutely insane, kind of funny, trippy suburban horror movie, and, if it ever gets made, it’s going to scare the hell out of everyone, hopefully,” he said.

Hasheider’s friend, senior Karlee Mauk, said his creativity stands out from the rest.

“(His works) are all incredibly impressive, with very nuanced characters that are each unique to his style and interpretation,” she said.

Hasheider’s UNA shorts are available to watch at vimeo.com/bryanthasheider.