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“Forward,” a short-form documentary by Alex Luchsinger, associate professor of journalism, was honored with the Audience Choice Award at the , earning top recognition from audiences for its powerful portrait of resilience, service and healing. The film follows U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Ashley Christman as she navigates a stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis while continuing to serve in the Marine Corps and remain fully present for her wife and young son.

The documentary takes viewers inside Christman’s journey as she searches for healing through medical treatment, physical training and surf therapy, showing both the heavy moments and the hope that carry her forward. Along the way, the film connects with military, LGBTQ+ and cancer communities through a story rooted in perseverance and purpose. In related news, “Forward” was recently recognized in the 2026 BEA Festival of Media Arts.

For Luchsinger, the film’s reception at the South Carolina festival underscored the responsibility he felt in telling Christman’s story.

“As a Marine, you’re taught to serve something bigger than yourself, and that mindset stays with me as a filmmaker,” Luchsinger said. “This film isn’t about me telling a story – it’s about honoring Ashley’s courage and telling her family’s story with care. To have audiences connect with that and choose ‘Forward’ means a great deal, especially within a film community that values stories of service, resilience and hope.”

That commitment to care extended to the film’s entire creative team. Luchsinger worked closely with Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Max Negin and cinematographer Drew Glickman to bring Christman’s story to the screen. The journalism professor spent more than a year documenting her experience, building trust with Christman and her family to ensure the story was told with authenticity and compassion.

Christman accepted the award in Beaufort on Luchsinger’s behalf and shared how deeply the film – and the festival experience – resonated with her and her family. To view her acceptance speech, .

“This week has been an emotional wave that leaves me almost at a loss for words,” Christman said. “There’s something powerful about experiencing the full spectrum of life – the heartbreak, the joy, the laughter, the tears. To feel all of that through the work of the artists and filmmakers in this room has been incredibly moving.”

She also praised Luchsinger’s approach to telling her story with empathy. “(Alex) bore witness to our story – my family’s story – with such love and compassion, and that means so much to us,” Christman said.

Christman also reflected on how the project began and why she felt compelled to share her story. She explained that the film grew out of Luchsinger’s interest in exploring the healing power of the ocean, shaped in part by his own experience transitioning from military service. Through connections with the Jimmy Miller Foundation, Luchsinger was introduced to Christman and her family, laying the groundwork for the documentary.

“I also want to say thank you to Drew Glickman — an amazing videographer, incredibly talented — who felt like part of our family while capturing our life,” she said.

The film’s impact was felt throughout the festival, including during the presentation of the Audience Choice Award by Barry Wilson, a longtime festival supporter. In his award introduction, Wilson reflected on the festival’s role as a place “where stories are honored, artists are celebrated, and our community comes together.”

“To the filmmakers here today, thank you for trusting this stage with your work,” he said. “Your creativity gives this festival its heart, and today, one film captured the hearts of the audience in a special way.”

That one film was “Forward.”

About the Beaufort International Film Festival

The Beaufort International Film Festival is an annual film event held in Beaufort, South Carolina, typically each February. Founded in 2007 and produced by the nonprofit Beaufort Film Society, the festival screens independent feature films, shorts, documentaries, animation and screenplays from around the world. The festival brings filmmakers and audiences together through screenings, educational forums and community events, and is recognized as one of the fastest-growing film festivals in the Southeast.