October 2, 2026
Shorter University communication studies professor Katherine Dudley Blair has received national recognition for her documentary, “Making Room: Faith in Action,” earning the Documentary Audience Choice Award at the International Christian Film & Music Festival in Orlando, Florida.
The film highlights the work of Safe Haven Ranch, a nonprofit organization in Cedartown, Georgia, that provides stable and loving homes for children in need. For Blair, the project was especially meaningful because of her own experience as a former foster parent and her passion for helping children find safe places to belong.
“I’m very passionate about kids having safe places to live,” Blair shared in a recent interview. “We follow one young boy who was the first resident at the ranch, and what he’s been through. It’s just amazing.”
The documentary took nearly a year to complete and shares deeply personal stories from those connected to the ranch. Blair said audiences were visibly moved during screenings, with many continuing conversations long after the film ended.
“The tears are real, the stories are real,” Blair said. “You’re listening to people talk about things they’ve actually gone through. That stays with you.”
As both a filmmaker and educator, Blair continues to encourage students to use storytelling to make a meaningful impact. Shorter University is proud to celebrate her accomplishment and the national recognition it brings to the communication studies program.
In celebration of this achievement, Shorter is also launching a special campaign to raise support for new communication and production equipment that will further equip students for careers in media, film, and storytelling.
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