Selected Awards
“Tarleton/Dawn win Telly Award for Online Diversity and Inclusion,” Reel Chicago, May 31, 2023
•Article about “Identity,” that I produced and directed, winning a Telly Award.
“Identity – A film made for, by and with kids,” Arte Settima, May 4, 2023
•Article about “Identity,” that I produced and directed.
“Award-Winning Filmmakers David Tarleton and Adria Dawn,” March 28, 2023
•Interview about our filmmaking work.
“Meet the Filmmakers – Climate Change & LGBTQ,” February 25, 2023
•Interview about “Identity,” that I produced and directed.
“Columbia Faculty Member Films Featured in Multiple Film Festivals,” Columbia College Chicago, October 25, 2022
•Article about my film screenings and film festival awards.
“Gray Area,” Take 2 Indie Review, September 22, 2022
•Review of the film “Gray Area,” that I produced and directed.
“Entertainment Exclusive: Award-winning Filmmaker David Tarleton Shining in the Industry,” Digital Journal, September 12, 2022
•Article about me and my filmmaking work.
“Oak Park Filmmakers Winning Big at Film Festivals and Fighting for Social Change,” Screen Magazine, June 2, 2022
•Article about my filmmaking work and recent awards.
“Meet Filmmakers Adria Dawn, Rax Rinnekangas, David Tarleton w/ Ching Juhl,” Juhl Media, March 13, 2022
•Interview about “Gray Area” and my filmmaking work.
“Award-Winning ‘Hunter’ Director David Tarleton’s Latest Film ‘Karen’ Gains Recognition,” February 28, 2022
•Article about ‘Karen’ and my filmmaking work.
“Meet the Filmmakers – SRFF 2022 – Love in the Time of the Pandemic,” February 26, 2022
•Interview about “Gray Area,” that I produced and directed.
“Get To Know Notable Award-Winning Producer, Director & Editor David Tarleton,” Celebz Treasure, December 27, 2021
•Interview with me about my body of work.
“Oak Park Community Stands Strong with Social Change Film ‘Gray Area’,” Screen Magazine, October 17, 2021
•Article about the film “Gray Area,” that I produced and directed.
“(De)Minoritization,” International Social Change Film Festival, Hannah Joy Gebresilassie, September 26, 2021
•Interview about the film “Karen,” and our socially conscious filmmaking.
“Lake Theatre Presents: Gray Area,” Downtown Oak Park, August 16, 2021
•Article about the premiere of the film ”Gray Area.”.
“Columbia announces faculty members promoted to rank of professor,” The Columbia Chronicle, July 26, 2021
•Brief profile about my promotion to Full Professor at Columbia.
“Windy City Filmmakers: Bonus Footage with Adria Dawn and David Tarleton,” Windy City Filmmakers Podcast, July 8, 2021
•Extended interview about my filmmaking work.
“Windy City Filmmakers: Adria Dawn and David Tarleton,” Windy City Filmmakers Podcast, July 6, 2021
•Interview about my filmmaking work, with an emphasis on films for social change.
“Content Conversations: Revealing Media,” Infobase, March 10, 2021
•Interview about Kids Matter and Karen, which I produced and directed.
“That 1 Thing Ep. 49 David Tarleton and Adria Dawn,” Fork the Man, February 4, 2021
•Interview about filmmaking.
“Karen: Shot During the Pandemic about Black Lives Matter Movement,” Chicago Movie Magazine, January 8, 2021
•Interview about our filmmaking work and the making of the film ‘Karen.’
“Adria Dawn and David Tarleton: Get to know the filmmakers behind ‘Karen’,” Film News Daily, November 24, 2020
•Interview about our filmmaking work and the making of the film ‘Karen.’
“David Tarleton Profile,” Midwest Film Festival, June 26, 2020
•Profile of me and my filmmaking work by the Midwest International Film Festival.
“Meet the Filmmakers,” SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York, June 23, 2020
•Discussion about the film “Unsafe,” that I produced and directed.
“Jammy Jams: How Local Indie Filmmakers Direct and Produce Their Own Content,” Acting Studio Chicago, May 4, 2020
•Webinar about my independent film work.
“Oak Parker Bares Her Struggles in Film to Help Others Heal,” Oak Leaves, Chicago Tribune, Felicia Dechter, February 3, 2020
•Newspaper article about the film “Gray Area” that I am producing and co-directing.
“Extra Features Interviews: David Tarleton about his film ‘Hunter’,” Extra Features, Simon Watson, August 9, 2019
•Interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“How to Make a Cross-Genre Supernatural Thriller Indie Film,” Screencraft, Andrew Schwartz, August 6, 2019
•Interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“How to Make a Cross-Genre Supernatural Thriller Indie Film with David Tarleton director of HUNTER with Giles Alderson,” The Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson, July 30, 2019
•Interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Hunter, directed by David Tarleton,” Independent Film Now, Justin Merced, June 22, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Something wicked this way comes in ‘Hunter’,” Yes Weekly!, Mark Burger, May 8, 2019
•Article and interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Hunter (2019),” Let’s Watch Horror Podcast, May 6, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“An Evening with Jason Kellerman and David Tarleton of Hunter,” The Ranting and Raving Podcast, March 14, 2019
•Interview about the film Hunter that I directed.
“Interview: David Tarleton (Hunter),” Horror News, Janel Spiegel, March 11, 2019
•Interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Film Review: Hunter (2018),” Horror News, Todd Martin, February 27, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“REVIEW: 'Hunter' slashes through a modern-day tale inspired by Bram Stoker classic,” Quad City TImes, February 26, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Columbia community members celebrate film successes,” The Columbia Chronicle, Kaci Watt, February 23, 2019
•Article that includes profile about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“How to Direct Fight & Chase Scenes on a Low Budget Film,” Zacuto Live, February 20, 2019
•Interview with Zacuto Live about how I directed the action sequences in the feature film Hunter.
“‘Hunter’ sets its gritty thrills in the icy chill of a Chicago winter,” Chicago Sun-Times, Richard Roeper, February 18, 2019
•Richard Roeper’s newspaper review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Windy City Live,” ABC 7 Chicago, February 15, 2019
•Richard Roeper’s TV review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“The Roe Conn Show,” WGN Radio, February 14, 2019
•Richard Roeper’s radio review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Public Domain & Interview w/ David Tarleton (Director of Hunter),” Scream Speak Podcast, February 13, 2019
•Interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Hunter (2018) Review,” Tennessee Horror, Isaac Thorne, February 12, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Hunter – Film Review: An Enjoyable Supernatural Thriller,” The Geekiary, Farid-ul-Haq, February 12, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Hunter (2019) - Movie Review,” Reel Reviews, Loron Hays, February 11, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“David Tarleton Talks With 411 About His New Movie Hunter,” 411 Mania, February 9, 2019
•Interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Hunter (available 2-12-19 Interview w/Dave Tarleton and Morgan Eiland),” Psychosemantic Podcast, February 8, 2019
•Interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Hunter Interview,” Music City Horror, February 8, 2019
•Interview about the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Hunter Review,” 411 Mania, Bryan Kristopowitz, February 6, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Movie Review – Hunter,” Flickering Myth, February 4, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Movie Review: Hunter (2019),” Horror Fuel, February 1, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Film review of the supernatural thriller ‘Hunter.’” Blazing Minds, by Philip Rogers, January 31, 2019
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
Housewife of Horror, ACTV Channel 10, Aurora, Illinois, January 17, 2019
•On-camera interview with me about my upcoming feature, Hunter.
“Hunter,” Film Threat, May 28, 2018
•Review of the feature film Hunter that I directed.
“Meet Adria Dawn, David Tarleton of Tarleton/Dawn Productions,” Voyage Chicago, April 10, 2018
•Profile of my wife, Adria Dawn, and me, and our film production work.
“Faculty Profile: David Tarleton,” Frequency TV, April 3, 2018
•Profile of my work, and my teaching. For Columbia College Chicago’s TV Station.
“10 Things to Do This Weekend,” WTTW, Chicago Tonight, November 15, 2017
•Article about my production, Dorkumentary Live!
“Web Series jumps from screen to stage,” Columbia Chronicle, November 13, 2017
•Article featuring interviews with me about my production, Dorkumentary Live!
Flabby Hoffman Radio Extravagonzo Show, Que4 Radio AM1680 Chicago, September 16, 2017
•I was a radio guest, discussing my upcoming production, Dorkumentary Live!
“Today I Watched Alone, Pressure and Supermom,” Paul Preston, The Movie Guys, May 30, 2017
•Review of the film “Pressure,” which I produced and directed, which played at the Dances With Films festival.
“The Force Awakens vs. Avatar: box office record may not be sign of longevity,” Tim Rosenberger, Medill Reports Chicago, March 15, 2016
•I was interviewed for this article about the Star Wars and Avatar film franchises.
“Directing Workshops = Mentoring,” Chelsea Rowan, Marginalia, February 17, 2015
•This article was about my Graduate Directing class, and our Saturday directing workshops.
“Inspiring Film, Video, and Visual Effects Students,” Jena Shore, Autodesk Education, January 15, 2014
•I was interviewed for this article about adopting Autodesk Smoke at Columbia.
“Today’s Zombies Are In A Hurry,” Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, June 20, 2013
•I was interviewed for this article about the changing speed of film editing and fast zombies.
“Head Games,” John Anderson, Variety, September 20, 2012
•Review of Head Games, for which I was the VFX Supervisor.
“Post-Production,” Dan Mollison, Marginalia, March 22, 2012,
•This article was about my Graduate Creative Producing class on Post-Production.
"From History To Hollywood," Virginia Gazette, August 11, 2010
•This article was a biographical profile of me and my filmmaking work.
“Motorola: Content Meets Context. Imagine the Future of Video,” April 2010
•I was an interview subject as an on-camera expert about the future development of video technology.
“The Reel Truth: Everything You Didn't Know You Need to Know About Making an Independent Film,” Reed Martin, January, 2009
•I was an interview subject in this book on independent filmmaking.
“I Am a DJ, I Am What I Say: The Rise of Podcating,” Small Tech: The Culture of Digital Tools, Paul Cesarini, University Of Minnesota Press, 2008, p.99
•My pioneering work as a video podcaster was discussed.
“We’ll Fix It In Post,” Reed Martin, Filmmaker Magazine, Winter 2003
•I was an interview subject in this article on post-production.
“In Session,” Bill Miller, Video Systems, March 1, 2002, interview subject
•I was interviewed in this article on post-production.
Exposure, Sci-Fi Channel, September 20, 2000
•The Sci-Fi Channel interviewed me about my film “Dinner.”
“IGN Movies Slamdance Interview: Dinner,” Den Shewman, IGN News, Feb. 4, 2000
•I was profiled about my film “Dinner.”
“Dinner,” Cornelia deBruin, Mountain Times, Feb. 3, 2000
•Interview with me and article about “Dinner.”
“Williamsburg: Three Hundred Years Freedom's Journey,” Suzanne E. Coffman, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1999
•I was featured in this publication.
Colonial Williamsburg Magazine, 1996
•I was on the cover of the magazine for my creative work at Colonial Williamsburg.
Press and Interviews
2023 Telly Awards, Silver Telly, Diversity and Inclusion Online, “Identity”
2023 Pride Film Fest, Best of the Fest, “Identity”
2022 Paris Film Awards, Best LGBTQ Film, “Identity”
2022 Awareness Film Festival, Grand Jury Award – Best Narrative Short, “Gray Area”
2022 8 & Halfilm Awards, Best Indie Narrative Short, “Karen”
2022 Madrid Arthouse Film Festival, Best Women’s Issues Short Film, “Gray Area”
2022 Munich Short Film Awards, Best Independent Film, “Gray Area”
2022 Telly Awards, Silver Telly, Social Impact Online, “Karen”
2022 Telly Awards, Bronze Telly, Social Issues, “Gray Area”
2022 Munich Short Film Awards, Best Independent Film, “Gray Area”
2022 Atlanta Movie Awards, Best Film for Change - Short, “Gray Area”
2022 International Manhattan Film Awards, Best U.S. Narrative Short, “Gray Area”
2022 The Crown International Film Festival, Best Women’s Film, “Gray Area”
2022 The Seattle Movie Awards, Best Short Film on Women, “Gray Area”
2022 EdiPlay International Film Festival, Best Women’s Film, “Gray Area”
2022 Indiefare International Film Festival, Best Women’s Film, “Gray Area”
2022 Philadelphia World Film Festival, Best Human Rights Short, “Karen”
2022 Vienna Indie Short Film Festival, Best Social Justice Film, “Karen”
2022 Arthouse Film Festival of Beverly Hills, Best Social Justice Short, “Karen”
2022 Tokyo Shorts Film Festival, Best Human Rights Film, “Karen”
2021 Berlin Shorts Award, Best Black Lives Matter Film, “Karen”
2021 Award of Excellence, One Reeler Film Festival, “Karen”
2021 Chicago Indie Film Awards, Honorable Mention Short, “Karen”
2020 Best International Film, Reale Film Festival, Italy “Karen”
2020 Award of Merit, One Reeler Film Festival, “Architecture”
2020 Best Narrative Short, New York Socially Relevant Film Festival, “Unsafe”
2020 Ensemble Acting Award, New York Socially Relevant Film Festival, “Unsafe”
2020 Best Documentary Short, One Reeler Film Festival, “SafeZone: Fatima’s Journey”
2020 Award of Merit, One Reeler Film Festival, “SafeZone: Potato Girls”
2019 Humanitarian Award, Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, “SafeZone: Four Years Later”
2019 Young UNICEF Award, Ferrara Film Festival, “SafeZone”
2019 Best Feature Film, Best of The Midwest Awards, Midwest International Film Festival, “Cold War”
2018 Best Feature Film, Freak Show Film Festival, “Hunter”
2018 Best Horror Feature, Manhattan Film Festival, “Hunter”
2018 Lift-Off Sessions, London, UK, “Hunter,” October Winner
2018 Best Feature Film Mystery/Thriller Silver Award Winner, Queen Palm International Film Festival, “Hunter”
2018 Best Feature Film, Chicago Horror Film Festival, nominated, “Hunter”
2018 Baskin Award, Columbia College Chicago
2018 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, Marquis Who’s Who
2018 Who’s Who In The World, Featured, Marquis Who’s Who
2017 Doc Edge Film Awards, “SafeZone,” Finalist Best International Short
2016 IndieFEST Film Awards, “SafeZone,” Award of Merit: Documentary Short
2015 Faculty Development Grant, Columbia College Chicago
2013 2012 University Film and Video Association Conference Paper Prize, First Runner Up
2012 Best Documentary, Boson Film Festival, “Head Games”
2011 Best Ensemble, Indie Incubator Film Festival, “Dorkumentary”
2011 Faculty Development Grant, Columbia College Chicago
2011 Who’s Who In America, Featured, Marquis Who’s Who
2007 Webby Award, People’s Choice Best Comedy Series, “Statler & Waldorf From The Balcony”
2006 Telly Award, Best Use of Comedy, “Statler & Waldorf From The Balcony”
2006 Time Magazine’s “25 Websites We Can’t Live Without”
2005 Best Documentary, Boston International Film Festival, “What Babies Want”
1997 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Fellowship
1992 Lawn Resident, University of Virginia
1990 Golden Key National Honor Society, University of Virginia
1989 Echols Scholar, University of Virginia
1989 Virginia Scholar, Commonwealth of Virginia