GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics
Announces Winners of
2025 Crimson Honors College Scholarship

Three LGBTQ students from Georgia, Massachusetts and California will receive scholarship funds and mentorships for their unique perspectives on film and television

June 24, 2025 – Los Angeles – GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announced today the winners of its latest Crimson Honors college scholarship contest, awarding three LGBTQ+ public college students $1000 each for excellence in entertainment criticism or journalism. The students, either current attendees or recent graduates of a school in the United States or its territories, will also receive two years of free membership in GALECA as well as mentorship from one of the membership association’s 560 established entertainment journalists.  

The champion young journalists are: Fabiana Garcia Calvillo, a student at Georgia State University; Zipporah Pruitt, a 2025 graduate of California State University, Northridge; and Nicholas York, from Massachusetts’ Worcester State University as well as Cornell University. Another student, Ariel Rivera of Florida International University, was singled out with an Honorable Mention for his work. 

Judges participating this year were Jose Solís Mayen, Tina Kakadelis, Dino-Ray Ramos, Shelli Nicole, and Triston Brewer. One of this year’s contest judges, Jose Solís Mayen—who began as a film critic in Honduras and now lives in Sweden and has been published in outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, and Toronto Star—said he was thrilled by the quality of the candidates’ submissions. 

“My favorite part about being a judge for this year’s GALECA Crimson Honors was seeing that the field we love so much remains so alive with such vibrant new voices,” he said. Solís Mayen, founder and director of BIPOC Critics Lab, a training program for cultural critics of the future, said “was profoundly moved and entertained by the variety of submissions we received, each of them showing deep passion for cinema and for establishing a conversation between the medium and the audience. I believe that in Nicholas, Fabiana, Zipporah, and Ariel, the judges saw ourselves reflected—their playfulness, excitement, and love for film reminded us of ourselves when we were getting started. I can’t wait to see what these brilliant minds do next.”

GALECA board member Grace Han moved from last year’s judging panel to leading the entire Crimson Honors program in 2025. “I have been humbled by the brilliance of our submissions, the rigor of our judges, and the generosity of our mentors,” said Han. “This year, GALECA received twice the number of submissions, and we are also launching our first-ever mentorship program for our three winners. Initiatives to support young queer voices in entertainment, like our Crimson Honors, are critical in these tumultuous times.”

Featured: Fabiana Garcia Calvillo, Zipporah Pruitt, Nicholas York 

About GALECA’s 2025 Crimson Honors 

Nicholas York, from Massachusetts’ Worcester State University and Cornell University, began writing film reviews in high school, combining his passion for writing with his love of film. From there, he started a personal blog, began writing theater reviews for Worcester State University’s student newspaper, and even got an assignment from the paper at the private Cornell—all while volunteering at several at-risk LGBTQ youth charities. After transferring to Cornell, he joined the arts and culture section of the campus outlet Daily Sun, excited to recommend films to a wider audience. “I’ve written about some of my favorite filmmakers and even had the opportunity to cover the Sundance Film Festival,” York told GALECA. “Film criticism has given me the opportunity to explore the current cultural climate through art and start a conversation among fellow students.” This upcoming year, York is looking forward to continuing his own film review column, “Projections,” for the Sun, while also serving as editor-in-chief for Cornell’s CineJournal. York will be mentored by Pittsburgh-based GALECA member Tina Kakadelis, news editor for Film Obsessive and purveyor of her own film-and-TV-musings site, Beyond the Cinerama Dome.

Fabiana Garcia Calvillo, a student at Georgia State University, says that classes in film and entertainment criticism helped open her world by teaching her to think about the deeper meanings behind these artistic forms. Said Garcia Calvillo: “Deconstructing the media we love has helped me feel closer to myself and others, to understand why and how film speaks to our feelings and experiences.” Upon graduating Georgia State University with a B.A. in film and media and minor in journalism, she would love to be able to write criticism professionally. For now, she helps champion the indie and cult classics at the Plaza Theatre, Atlanta’s longest continuously operating independent movie theater. She also runs the documentary film club at her former high school, Cristo Rey Atlanta. Garcia Calvillo will be mentored by Jose Solís Mayen, founder and director, BIPOC Critics Lab.

Zipporah Pruitt, a 2025 graduate of California State University, Northridge with a major in journalism and minor in pop culture studies, is the first person in her family to graduate from college. A proud bisexual African-American with a passion for both entertainment and empowerment, she received both the Golden Globe Foundation Diversity Fund Scholarship and the Lynne M. Doll Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the late crisis communications expert. Pruitt’s experience as an entertainment writer for the Black-centric lifestyle site The Knockturnal, an academics desk editor for The Sundial, and a freelance journalist for YR Media—a platform for emerging BIPOC content creators—has all led her to plan to pursue a career in entertainment media.

“As an only child raised by a single mother, the media brought me comfort and helped shape my unique identity,” Pruitt said. “Through journalism, I amplify diverse stories, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for authentic representation.” With GALECA’s help, she hopes to join a new generation of critics who highlight the meaning and cultural impact of media. “I believe thoughtful criticism supports the creation of meaningful stories and fosters deeper conversations. As a Black and queer woman, I’m especially committed to uplifting narratives that reflect queer, BIPOC, and neurodivergent experiences. I want to help expand the space for these voices in mainstream media.”

Pruitt will be paired with GLAAD Media Award winner Dino-Ray Ramos as her mentor. The former Deadline editor is the founder of DIASPORA, a digital publishing platform whose mission aligns closely with her own. Ramos, a longtime GALECA member, created DIASPORA to lift up marginalized communities in film, TV, and media, saying his goal is to “shine a definitive, authentic spotlight on people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, women, the disabled community, and other historically underrepresented voices.”

 

• • • • •

Deadline Extended!

America’s Future Film, TV & Theater Critics,
May Now Apply by March 31!

⭐  Updated Application Link Below  ⭐

Three LGBTQ Public College Students Will Win $1000 Each 

in GALECA’s Crimson Honors Entertainment Criticism Contest

UPDATED March 17, 2025 – GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has extended the deadline for its Crimson Honors, a college film & TV criticism contest for LGBTQ students seeking a career in entertainment journalism. The new deadline is March 31, 2025, after which GALECA will award a total of $3000 in scholarship funds to the top three contenders in the program. Students from all disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply.

“As journalism and media face obstacles coming from all directions, we at GALECA are determined to make sure standout fledgling voices in our field are heard,” said board member Grace Han, who’s leading the project. “Advancing diversity is as critical as ever for Hollywood and beyond.”

The Crimson Honors scholarship program is open to qualifying community or state college students, as well as 2024 graduates, in the United States and its territories. A select panel of GALECA members and advisory board members will review and consider all student submissions of film, TV and/or Broadway/Off-Broadway criticism and/or commentary featured in a campus media outlet and/or personal outlet sometime during March 2024 through March 31, 2025 (the initial deadline has been extended from March 20). After deliberation, the panel will honor the three entrants who have best demonstrated excellence in criticism/commentary. The scholarship contest’s criteria and eligibility requirements are listed below.

The honorees will receive $1000 each, along with two years of free membership in GALECA. The victors will also have opportunities to meet members such as editors and advisors in the organization, which counts over 500 established journalists covering film, TV and/or Broadway/Off-Broadway.

Applicants may submit up to three reviews or commentaries relating to film, TV and/or the New York stage published via official campus media (newspaper, magazine, website, radio station, podcast, TV program) and/or a self-run outlet. In addition, applicants must also include a resume as well as a 300-word statement on why they hope for a career as a critic and entertainment journalist.

Contest entrants may submit all materials VIA THIS APPLICATION LINK HERE by the deadline of 11:59 p.m. PT on March 31, 2025. Winners will be announced in late April, 2025. 

The three college students who received laurels in GALECA’s inaugural Crimson Honors, presented in 2023, have all risen the ranks in entertainment journalism. Ariana Martinez has written film reviews for The Wrap and has a monthly film column for Little Village, Iowa’s popular independent print and online magazine. Taila Lee works on contract for The Recording Academy’s Grammy Awards, writing online music features while helping coordinate the “Grammy U” membership program for fledgling music industry professionals. And Asha Pruitt is Junior Editor at SLUG, Utah’s legendary independent print and digital arts and community publication. 

GALECA’s main focus is the Dorian Awards, honoring excellence in film, TV/streaming, and Broadway/Off-Broadway, from mainstream to LGBTQ+ content. Entertainment fans, LGBTQ communities and allies are encouraged to follow the organization’s efforts @DorianAwards on various social media platforms. For more information about GALECA, its members and missions, visit info@galeca.org. 

Eligibility Criteria

Current full-time undergraduate students or 2024 graduates at a public two-year community or four-year state college in the United States and its territories, who identify as gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary or queer.

Students currently paid or employed by an external media outlet are not eligible. Credited internships are fine, however. 

Non-print entries (radio, podcast, YouTube, etc.) will also be considered.

Nonbinary persons of color, or women of color, are especially encouraged to apply.

Required Materials

Applicants may submit one (1) to three (3) reviews and/or features relating to film, TV and/or Broadway/Off Broadway, each originally published or posted sometime during March 2024 through March 31, 2025. 

Video or audio segments must be two (2) to five (5) minutes in length. Please submit a script along with a link to the posted piece. Please note the timestamp of the beginning of your piece.

Only up to one entry posted on external media outlets will be eligible. Otherwise, entries must be posted in an official campus media offering (e.g., newspaper, magazine, website, radio station, etc.) or a personal blog/podcast/YouTube channel.

Applicants must also include a resume and a 300-word statement on why they hope for a career as a critic / entertainment journalist. 

Other Rules and Notes

Non-English submissions are eligible, but please provide an English translation along with the original piece.

Please note that materials sent will not be returned. 

PDF and other formats must include “Last Name_Crimson Honors” in title.

For audiovisual entries, please include relevant links in your application. Word documents or cut-and-pasted copy in email will not be accepted.

Submit all materials by March 31, 2025, 11:59pm PT.
J

• • • • •

2023 Crimson Honors Winners
j

j

Wednesday, June 13, 2023 – GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announced today the winner and two finalists of its inaugural Crimson Honors college film and TV critics scholarship, expressly created for LGBTQ+ women or nonbinary public college and university students who identify as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian American, or Biracial. The national entertainment journalism contest awards over $6000 in financial assistance provided by Rotten Tomatoes, the go-to source to help entertainment fans decide what movies and TV shows to watch.

Students were asked to submit to GALECA up to 3 reviews or essays relating to film and/or TV, each originally published or posted in 2022 by an official campus media offering (newspaper, magazine, website, radio station, podcast, TV/radio program) or personal blog. In addition, applicants provided a resume and a personal 300-word statement on why they feel entertainment criticism is important. A panel of 10 GALECA members judged the submissions.

“These three students each showed a heartening dedication not just to entertainment writing but also to the foundations of contemporary journalism: collaboration, criticism, curation, transparency, and an absolute ethical obligation to the truth,” said GALECA’s current Vice President, Diane Anderson-Minshall, Editor in Chief of Go! magazine and former CEO and editorial director of Pride Media, the parent company of such revered queer media brands as Out and The Advocate.  Added outgoing GALECA Secretary Adriana Gomez-Weston, a freelance film and rock critic, “We are excited to see what’s ahead for each of our finalists and their careers. In America’s current political and media climate, strong critical LGBTQ+ takes are needed more than ever before.”

In addition to Anderson-Minshall and Gomez-Weston, GALECA’s Crimson Honors judging panel included Danielle Broadway, entertainment reporter for Reuters; Danette Chavez, Editor in Chief of Primetimer; Grace Han, critic and reporter for Asian Movie Pulse; Monika Estrella Negra, co-host of Bitches on Comics podcast, Co-editor of QueerSpec and former GALECA president; Maria San Filippo, acclaimed author and Editor in Chief of The New Review of Film and Television Studies ; Kristal Sotomayor, Editor in Chief of cinéSPEAK Journal and co-founder ¡Presente! Media; Abbey White, Associate Editor at The Hollywood Reporter; and Cate Young, producer of Wondery’s Even the Rich podcast as well as co-founder of the Thirty, Flirty + Film newsletter.

The GALECA Crimson Honors $3000 grand prize winner

Asha Pruitt, a staff writer for the University of California at Berkeley’s Daily Californian before graduating last May, submitted reviews of the British Catholic school girls comedy Derry Girls and humorist Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal, the unusual HBO docuseries that asks subjects to play out major possible future moments in their lives. GALECA’s judges praised Pruitt for their “strong voice” and how, in reviewing Rehearsal in particular, they “tackled a very dizzying and tangled show with relative ease.” Pruitt, heading into the world with a major in global studies and minors in journalism and French, also impressed with their brief think-piece on gay cowboy imagery in movies and pop music. 

“The Crimson Honors award is an incredible honor, and I can’t thank (GALECA) enough,” said Pruitt, who in early June started working for Salt Lake City’s SLUG Magazine, a venerable free independent monthly founded in 1988. The job “aligns with my goals to amplify local art scenes and underrepresented communities. I’m not sure exactly what the future holds for me, but I know I’ll always be following my passion for arts and entertainment journalism.”

Pruitt, proud graduate.

The two finalists, each receiving $1500 

Taila Lee, an incoming senior at the University of California Berkeley, impressed GALECA’s judges with her “well-expressed passion for the importance of a watchful eye on media,” the “wit and stylish sophistication” of her writing, and her “thoughtful” and “succinctly and fairly conveyed” criticism in several pieces as an arts and entertainment editor for campus outlet The Daily Californian. Surveying Lee’s reviews of movies such as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, one panelist praised Lee for an “ability to dig into what makes a movie work and why, and how that relates to the culture it was released into.”

“I fell in love with storytelling back in high school, around the same time I was beginning to navigate my identity as queer,” said Lee, who is working toward a B.A. in media studies with a concentration on global culture. Critiquing movies and TV shows at Berkeley “has helped me better understand not only the art I consume, but also better understand myself and connect with others. Receiving this award from an organization that champions the arts and inclusivity means the world to me.”

Lee, backstage!

Ariana Martinez, a film major with a minor in women and gender studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, was singled out for “approaching daunting societal themes in film and TV with humor, flair and perspective” in videos on their own YouTube channel. Martinez’s review of Thor: Love and Thunder was deemed “edifying, entertaining and thought-provoking,” and their discussion of Natalie Portman’s pink-haired heroine in Closer was found to be “enjoyable and instructive.” Meanwhile, a story for UCF’s website NSM focused on several a cappella groups preparing for a Pitch Perfect-style competition, was “deceptively breezy, actually pointed.”

Said Martinez, an incoming senior: “Receiving this award is incredibly surreal, and I am deeply grateful to be reassured and reminded that words so personal and special to me are also considered articulate and impactful, especially by the communities I try to honor most.”

All three winners will also receive $100 Fandango and VUDU gift cards to watch movies in theaters or at home, and a complimentary year-long GALECA membership, with opportunities to meet editors and Advisory Board members in the group.

Rotten Tomatoes’ support of GALECA’s Crimson Honors scholarship is the latest initiative in the brand’s Grants and Scholarships program, established in 2018 to increase inclusion in entertainment criticism and support the next generation of critics through donations to educational programs, film festivals’ inclusion initiatives, and other industry efforts.

Martinez, helping keep Florida pink. (Photo by Victorious McLeod) 

About Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes and the Tomatometer score are the world’s most trusted resources for entertainment discovery and recommendations. As the leading online aggregator of movie, TV and streaming reviews from thousands of critics, Rotten Tomatoes provides fans one-stop access to what’s Fresh – and what’s Rotten – in theaters and at home. The widely used Audience Score, denoted by a popcorn bucket, features verified ratings and reviews from confirmed ticket purchasers. Rotten Tomatoes produces over a dozen original series and more than 400 hours of premium short and long-form programming for its 24/7 FAST channel on Roku, Samsung TV, Peacock and Xumo, and the Rotten Tomatoes YouTube Network features the largest video collection of movie and TV moments and trailers. Rotten Tomatoes also meets fans where they discover and engage with entertainment, including books, podcasts, and unique experiences on social platforms such as TikTok.