Local student filmmaker and actors bring home festival awards

Hampton City Schools in partnership with Next Generation Storytellers swept awards at a local film festival in April 2025 in Virginia Beach. Seven Cities Showcase proudly presented Madysen Dougherty, writer and director of Until Daylight Comes, awards in every category to include Best Actor (Zion Parks), Best Supporting Actor (Will Davenport), Best Student Film, and Audience Choice.

Until Daylight Comes follows two brothers as they navigate life’s challenges—leaning on each other every step of the way. With heartfelt storytelling and stunning direction, this film has already earned multiple accolades and continues to move audiences everywhere.

Madysen Dougherty is a senior at Phoebus High School, and a first-time filmmaker through the Next Generation Storytellers program. Until Daylight Comes is her debut film, inspired by a desire to tell a heartfelt story that feels fresh and genuinely moves its audience. Though new to film, Madysen has a background in creative writing and plans to study both writing and film, hoping to grow her career locally in Virginia.

Outside of storytelling, she is a creative spirit who enjoys crafting, music from the 1940s to the top 100, video games, and reading everything from classic literature to comic books. Her favorite movie (at the moment) is Moulin Rouge, and her favorite director is Tim Burton. Madysen has a deep love for astronomy and in another life, she might have been a NASA engineer.

Zion Parks is a 2024 graduate of Phoebus High School and Will Davenport is a senior and the 2025 salutatorian at Kecoughtan High School.

Below is a list of all awards and accolades Until Daylight Comes has received.