Profiles of Tenacity: Camden Flinn

Camden Flinn is a third year entertainment & media studies major from Decatur, Georgia. He is set to graduate in May 2026. Flinn now serves as the president of the Backlight Film Festival, after holding the role of programing coordinator. He is also an active member of the Entertainment Media Industries Club and contributes to The Red & Black newspaper.

Read his Q/A below.

Why did you choose your major?

Ever since I started college, I knew I wanted to pursue something related to film. Ironically, I used to hate movies. That soon changed after my dad began sharing the films he loved with me, and I quickly became obsessed. I initially enrolled as a film studies major, but I soon realized it didn’t focus on what I really wanted, which was hands-on production. After some research, I discovered the entertainment and media studies (EMST) program, which aligned much more closely with my interests. I wanted to be in the spaces where things are made, where stories are brought to life, and EMST has given me the opportunity to do just that.

What does tenacity mean to you?

To me, tenacity means not turning away when things don’t go the way you hoped. People always say that failure is part of learning, that it’s how you grow. And while that sounds good in theory, I don’t think we really remember it when we’re in the middle of it. When you actually experience failure, it can feel heavy, embarrassing and even discouraging. But I’ve come to believe that tenacity is about choosing to keep going anyway. It’s about showing up the next day, still trying, still believing that you can move forward. Overcoming failure isn’t always about some huge breakthrough. Sometimes it’s just about refusing to give up, especially when it feels easier to stop.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to other Grady students?

I think we all have moments where we doubt ourselves, especially in a college as competitive and creative as this one. But what I’d want to tell other students is that everyone has their own path, and I think that’s something worth remembering. I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of comparing myself to others, and it never helps. There’s that saying that you should surround yourself with people who are better than you so you can grow, and I think there’s truth in that, but it doesn’t mean you need to measure your progress against theirs. Everyone’s timeline looks different. Work hard, stay focused on what drives you and don’t get discouraged if your journey doesn’t look like someone else’s, because it’s not supposed to. 

What motivates you?

What motivates me is my future self. More specifically, I don’t want him to be mad at me. As cliché as it might sound, change has always been something that scares me. But it’s also inevitable. What we can control though, is how we respond to that change and how we spend our time. I remind myself that you don’t get a day back once it’s gone, so it matters to make the most of every moment. That’s where my future self comes in. I want to look back and know that I showed up, that I tried and that I didn’t let fear or comfort stop me from growing. 

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

Without a doubt, it’s been my friends. Coming to college, there’s this shift in what “family” means. Your real family is still there, of course, but when you’re out on your own, your friends become the people who fill that void. I honestly couldn’t be more grateful for the ones I’ve found here. They’ve made my time at UGA unforgettable, not just because we have a lot of fun (which we definitely do), but because they’ve pushed me to grow, supported me through the hard stuff and helped shape who I’m becoming. I take a lot of pride in who I choose to keep close, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job finding the friendships that are going to stay long after college ends. 

What has been your biggest accomplishment in the past year?

One of my biggest accomplishments this past year was playing a key role in The Backlight Film Festival. From October to March, I got to see the festival come together from start to finish, and being part of that process was honestly an incredible experience. I served as the programming coordinator, where I led the selection committee which consisted of a group of students who watched and rated over 120 film submissions (a new record for the festival!). After that, I helped organize and plan the festival itself, which included everything from reaching out to UGA professors and industry professionals to put together a judging panel, to working with the rest of the team to pull off the screenings, red carpet and awards ceremony. It really opened my eyes to just how collaborative this kind of work is. And seeing it all come together in the end was a moment that definitely made all the effort feel completely worth it.

Where’s your favorite place on campus and why?

I think my favorite spot on campus has to be anywhere outside on North Campus. Whenever I’m heading to or from class, I usually go out of my way to walk through it. There’s just something about the space that feels really peaceful and alive at the same time. It’s one of the most beautiful areas here, and no matter what time of day it is, there’s always something happening, whether that’s people hanging out, events going on or just the general energy of campus life. I think one of the biggest reasons it stands out to me though is because I was able to see it in the snow during the winter. There were people sledding, building snowmen and throwing snowballs. It was just super cool to see campus in a different light, and it definitely made me appreciate the space even more.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

“Make the most of everything.” When I first got here, everyone kept warning me how fast it would go. I didn’t really believe them. But now, being this close to graduation, I get it. They were right. It’s gone by so quickly that it hardly feels real. If I could go back and talk to my freshman self, I’d tell them to take it all in, to really absorb every part of this place, the people and the moments. I remember how massive and intimidating it all felt when I first showed up, like the whole campus was towering over me. I wish I’d let myself lean into it earlier instead of holding back. There’s so much here worth embracing.

Editor: Madden Callahan; emc50486@uga.edu