"Mill Stories" documentary wins Telly Award

The film, "Mill Stories: Remembering Sparrows Point Steel Mill," co-produced by the UMBC New Media Studio and Maryland Traditions, has been named a Bronze winner by the 37th Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards is the premier national award honoring the finest film and video productions, groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films, and outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs. The annual Telly Awards receive over 10,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. 

After 125 years of operation, the Sparrows Point Steel Mill (Baltimore, Maryland) finally closed its doors in 2012. “Mill Stories” examines the importance of the mill from the perspectives of former workers and community members while connecting their story to the larger narrative of industrial boom and bust. The film seeks to amplify the voices of former workers as a means of helping to safeguard and promote the living heritage of the recently closed mill and its surrounding areas. Combining video interviews and archival images, the film tells the story entirely in workers’ own words, sharing their sacrifices, struggles, senses of community and identity. “Mill Stories” has been screened at over 20 international film festivals, academic conferences, and community events.

The film was co-produced by Bill Shewbridge and Michelle Stefano. Dr. Shewbridge is Professor of the Practice in the Department of Media and Communication Studies and Executive Producer of the New Media Studio. Dr. Michelle Stefano is Co-Director of Maryland Traditions, the folklife program of the Maryland State Arts Council, and Visiting Assistant Professor in American Studies at UMBC.