45th Annual Telly Awards · 2024
Silver Telly
Religion & Spirituality — Non-Broadcast
Selected from nearly 13,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents.
Home Awards & Screenings
Awards & screenings
Recognized by juries, welcomed by audiences, and headed for a national PBS broadcast.
Photo courtesy of the Hancock County Historical Society
Honors for the film
Recognition for the film
45th Annual Telly Awards · 2024
Silver Telly
Documentary: Long Form (Above 40 Minutes) — Non-Broadcast
These two wins became the seventh and eighth Telly Awards for LS3 Studios.
30th Annual Communicator Awards · 2024
Award of Excellence
General History & Biography
Presented by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts from over 3,000 entries worldwide.
Public Broadcasting Service · 2025
Accepted by PBS
National broadcast
Sponsorship is now underway to bring the film to PBS viewers across the country.
Become a sponsor“This documentary was a labor of love, and we are thrilled that it has resonated with audiences and judges alike. Our goal was to shine a light on the incredible history of Gulfside Assembly and its contributions to social justice.”
Leonard Smith III, director and producer
Community recognition · 2026
Cheryl Thompson named a Top 10 Outstanding Citizen
The Hancock County Chamber of Commerce named Gulfside Assembly Executive Director Cheryl Thompson one of its 2026 Top 10 Outstanding Citizens, honored at the “Beyond the Horizon — A Night of Stars” gala on August 27, 2026.
Thompson, an executive producer of the film, was one of ten finalists for the Chamber’s 2026 Outstanding Citizen of the Year award.
Read the story →Gulfside also congratulates fellow honoree Sally Isaacs.
On the road
Screening history
Sixteen screenings and counting, at universities, churches and Chautauquas from Mississippi and Louisiana to California, Ohio and Washington, D.C. Read what audiences said.
Private screening
Ticketed private screening for friends of Gulfside.
100 Men Hall
Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
Dillard University
New Orleans, Louisiana
Anderson United Methodist Church
Jackson, Mississippi · $20 donation to Gulfside programs; students free
Holman United Methodist Church
Los Angeles, California
University of Southern Mississippi
Gulf Park campus, Long Beach, Mississippi · 2 pm and 4 pm
Rivera United Methodist Church
Los Angeles, California
Main Street United Methodist Church
Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
Almanett Bistro
Gulfport, Mississippi
National Historic Campground organization
Bethany United Methodist Church
New Orleans, Louisiana
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church
New Orleans, Louisiana
Lakeside Chautauqua
Lakeside, Ohio · The Methodist Chautauqua that inspired Bishop Jones to found Gulfside in 1922–23.
Brooks Shaw Temple & Peoples United Methodist Church
New Orleans, Louisiana
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Emory United Methodist Church
Washington, D.C.
Bring the film to your community
Churches, schools, reunions, conferences and historical societies can host a screening, with a panel discussion on request.
Newsroom
Press releases
May 28, 2024 · New Orleans“The Gulfside Assembly Story” wins two Silver Telly Awards in the 45th Annual Telly Awards
LS3 Studios’ documentary The Gulfside Assembly Story has been honored with two Silver Telly Awards in the 45th Annual Telly Awards, in the categories of Religion & Spirituality — Non-Broadcast and Documentary: Long Form (Above 40 Minutes) — Non-Broadcast. These recognitions mark the seventh and eighth Telly Awards for LS3 Studios.
The film is a powerful exploration of the history and impact of Gulfside Assembly, a pivotal institution in the fight for civil rights and social justice in Mississippi. Through meticulous research, heartfelt interviews and evocative narration, LS3 Studios brings this narrative to life, highlighting the resilience and dedication of those who shaped its legacy.
“We are deeply honored to receive these awards for The Gulfside Assembly Story,” said Leonard Smith III, founder and director of LS3 Studios. “This documentary was a labor of love, and we are thrilled that it has resonated with audiences and judges alike.”
The 45th Annual Telly Awards received a record-breaking number of entries, with nearly 13,000 submissions. The full list of winners is at tellyawards.com/winners.
May 7, 2024 · Maurice, LouisianaLS3 Studios celebrates win at the 30th Annual Communicator Awards
LS3 Studios has been honored with the Award of Excellence in the General History & Biography category of the 30th Annual Communicator Awards for The Gulfside Assembly Story.
The documentary weaves personal testimonies and historical insights, bringing to light the significant impact of Gulfside Assembly on community and cultural development.
“This award is not just a win for our studio; it’s a recognition of the importance of preserving history through storytelling,” said Leonard Smith III, founder and creative director of LS3 Studios. “We are grateful to the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts for this honor.”
The Communicator Awards, hosted by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, saw over 3,000 entries from around the globe.
Media contact
Leonard Smith III, LS3 Studios
info@ls3studios.com · 504-434-0513