‘The Dancin’ Bulldogs’ Documentary Celebrates Five Years with Special GWU Screening

Alumni Filmmakers Return to Campus on Oct. 16 to Honor Gardner-Webb’s Historic NCAA Journey

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The award-winning documentary, “The Dancin’ Bulldogs,” is celebrating five years with a special anniversary screening at Gardner-Webb University on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. in Stewart Hall at Tucker Student Center. The evening will feature a special introduction from the GWU alumni filmmaking crew and maybe a few special guests from that legendary 2019 GWU March Madness team.

“The Dancin’ Bulldogs: A 16 Seed’s Journey to the NCAA Tournament,” debuted on YouTube on Oct. 16, 2020. The film was created by Christian Jessup, ’18, director and composer; Thomas Manning, ‘22, writer and producer; Eli Hardin, ’18, writer and researcher; and Brendan Boylan, ’18, voiceover producer.

The documentary follows the team’s and coaching staff’s entire journey, from the early wins against NCAA powerhouses to heartbreaking losses, the tournament appearance and coming home after the loss to No. 1 seed Virginia. Also featured are several interviews with players, coaches and NCAA officials, and never-before-released footage of the team’s championship run.

The Dancin’ Bulldogs has earned several recognitions for its storytelling and connection to North Carolina. It was nominated for the Ken Hanke Memorial Tar Heel Award by the North Carolina Film Critics Association in 2020. In 2021, the film won “Best Documentary” and “Best Original Music/Song/Score” from the Indie Eye Film Awards. It was also featured at the North Carolina Film Festival, where the filmmaking team received the “Best Filmmakers” award. Additionally, the documentary was honored as the “Most Inspirational Film” by the Triumphant Film Series, part of the Raleigh Film and Art Festival.

More information on the Dancin’ Bulldogs can be found here. 

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.