Four New Members Elected to Join NDFS

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

Twice each year, in January and July, members of the North Dakota Film Society vote to elect new members. To be considered, applicants must contribute to the state’s film community as a filmmaker, journalist, educator, theater owner, programmer or exhibitor. Beyond their active involvement in film across the region, Society members also vote in the annual North Dakota Film Society Awards, recognized across the industry each January. This cycle, we’re proud to welcome four dynamic new members whose work spans filmmaking, journalism, live event production, media scholarship, and film education, each bringing a distinct perspective and deep commitment to strengthening North Dakota’s film culture.

Newly elected members include:

Easton Bennett

Easton Bennett brings more than eight years of hands-on production experience across documentary, narrative, and commercial filmmaking. Having worked extensively on set and in post-production, he has developed his craft through real-world collaboration, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous improvement. His work reflects a strong foundation in practical filmmaking and a dedication to producing thoughtful, well-executed projects.

Kaleb Koho

Kaleb Koho is a Grand Forks–based screenwriter and director whose short films The Writer’s Room and Last Days have screened at festivals including Los Angeles Global Shorts and Iowa’s Star City Film Festival. In addition to his narrative work, Kaleb is active in film journalism and podcasting as host of The KohOscars and creator of the game shows Movie Melee and Blockbuster Brawl on Multiplex Entertainment’s YouTube channel. A former radio personality known as “The Movie Guy” on XL93 and KJ108, he continues to collaborate on film commentary and experimental projects, including theatrical and film work with Empire Theater Company in Grand Forks.

CarrieLynn Reinhard

CarrieLynn Reinhard is an Assistant Professor of Applied Communication at Dickinson State University, where she is helping relaunch the communication program with concentrations in professional communication, media production, and media literacy. With a background that spans Hollywood agency work, media scholarship, and film education, CarrieLynn has taught and helped develop film studies programs at multiple institutions. Her research focuses on how audiences interpret media and popular culture, and she co-edited the anthology Making Sense of Cinema. In Dickinson, she hopes to expand film education opportunities, host screenings and discussions, and continue pursuing her long-term goals of operating a cinema café and producing a documentary.

Jacob Workentine

Jacob Workentine is a Fargo-based filmmaker and photographer who works at Livewire as a Live Event Video Specialist and freelances with The Forum. A graduate with a passion for visual storytelling, Jacob directed an award-winning short film that screened at the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, Kansas. Since relocating to Fargo, he has continued producing creative content while contributing to the region’s media and live production landscape.