Randolph Benson Visiting Assistant Professor of Film & Media Studies

I tell stories through film. My own story begins when I was born in the former West Germany where my father was an Air Force fighter pilot. As a military brat, I was fortunate as I moved around that I got to meet interesting people of varied backgrounds. Listening to the stories that others have to share, and embracing what we have in common - that's what drives my love of storytelling.

I attended Wake Forest on a track scholarship, traveled abroad, and upon returning to the US found myself unhappy in a corporate job. I've always loved movies and dabbled in filmmaking so I took a leap of faith. I quit the job to pursue filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts' School of Filmmaking. That's where I made my documentary short, Man and Dog. I was honored to win the 1999 Student Academy Award and be recognized internationally at the Cannes International Film Festival, the International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam, and numerous other festivals and competitions.

Since then, I've been fortunate to build a life and career as a full-time working filmmaker and educator. I've taught film and video at Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies for almost twenty years. When I’m not making films, I’m watching them. In the rest of my spare time, I cycle, swim, and relax by the fire pit with my wife, two kids, and dogs.

Filmmaking is storytelling. I’m looking forward to what we’ll create together here at Davidson College, where every student has their own story to tell.