Filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith’s Dreams Coming True, One Film at a Time

By Ryan Hunt

Posted on January 06, 2016, January 06, 2016

Ya'Ke Smith, who teaches film at UT Arlington, is a rising voice in independent cinema. Over the years, his films have received world-wide acclaim, screening and winning awards awards at more than 80 film festivals. His films have also screened on HBO, Showtime, BET and PBS.

Smith was also recently named as "One to watch in 2016" by FD Magazine. You can read that article by clicking here.

In April 2015, filmmaker Ya'Ke Smith's short "One Hitta Quitta" screened at the Dallas International Film Festival, which continues the filmmakers's hot streak. In March 2015, "One Hitta Quitta" was seen by thousands at South by Southwest in Austin.

The young filmmaker says his dream is to impact people in everything that he does. Ya'Ke spoke about presenting social issues through film during a TEDx event held on UT Arlington's campus.

Check out Ya'Ke Smith's American Dream story to learn how he's helping to create a new generation of socially-conscious filmmakers.

To see more American Dream stories, click here.