Elkins, W.Va. β ΊΪΑΟΙη proudly announces that The Appalachian College Association (ACA) has awarded a Faculty Summer Fellowship to Lonnie Martin for his Post-Doctoral Research project, a short film entitled The Lady Widow. Β ACA funds will support essential post-production processes.
The ACA, through its 2025-2026 Faculty Fellowships, seeks to furnish financial support to member institutionsβ faculty for post-doctoral research or pre-doctoral completion in the 2026-2027 academic year. Β This year, 31 faculty members representative of 23 institutions have been granted this prestigious opportunity.
The Lady Widow is a narrative fiction short film that explores themes of liberation, gender equity, and self-determination in the wake of World War I. Β The project features D&E alumni both in front of and behind the camera. Β Principle Photography was completed earlier this year over four days of filming at Graceland Inn & Restaurant and on private property in Doddridge County. Β Funding from the ACA will support post-production actions of editing, color correction, sound design, music composition, sound mixing, and visual effects.
βThis project is a personal labor of love,β says Martin. Β βIt also showcases D&Eβs commitment to faculty-led creative research that integrates artistry, scholarship, and teaching. Β The College has been immensely supportive with both encouragement and resources. Β Iβm hopeful the finished film will enhance the visibility of the Theatre and Film program, and serve as both a recruitment tool and an example of the high-caliber work that can emerge from a small liberal arts environment.β
The Lady Widow is tentatively set to be completed by April of 2026 for a film festival run.