FILM JUDGING
For those unaware, I have developed a three-tier system as far as the judging of films for the festival. I use a total of four judges to determine who is accepted into the festival. Once the accepted films are selected, I then find and utilize another three judges to pick films that are to be nominated for awards. Finally, three other judges and myself determine who the final winners are for the festival. I am incredibly grateful to be working with these fine folks this year.
Yasmeen El-Nagar is a director and writer from Maryland and Dubai. She is currently producing and writing a television series for Geaux Network and writing for Radcat Design. In addition, Yasmeen works in freelance filmmaking and has produced her own projects. Further, she is the host of Movie Notepad, a podcast which features diverse perspectives of the film industry.
HOME | YASMEEN EL-NAGAR'S PORTFOLIO (yasmeeneln.wixsite.com)
Actor and model Ryan Spies was born and raised in Zimbabwe. He has spent his entire adult life chasing cultures and opportunities to learn about people and determine how to become the best version of himself. His life adventures found him in places such as dairy farms in Africa, NGOs in Colombia, and summer youth camps in Oregon. Ryan has worked on a variety of film projects, ranging from freshman class student films to micro budget feature films directed by the likes of Luca Guadanino. Spies surely understands the struggle of putting together a good film, and is ready to see what you've got!
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Ryan Spies - Professional Profile, Photos on Backstage - Actor
Rob Tode is an award-winning actor, director and producer. He is also the Theatre Director at Capital High School in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and an adjunct faculty member for the Film Department at Santa Fe Community College. Tode is also an Air Force Veteran who served in Desert Storm. Recent acting credits include roles on the television shows Longmire (Netflix), Manhattan (WGN), & The Night Shift (NBC). Turning to film, he has appeared in the feature Dirty Weekend. Recent awards include Best Actor for Sawyer (2021) @DREAMMACHINE Film Festival- Los Angeles, Best Director for Funny You Should Say That (2022) @Madras Independent Film Festival-India, Best Comedy Short for The Glass (2022), and Best Comedy Short for Funny You Should Say That (2022) @Dark Comedy Film Festival-Los Angeles.
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A late bloomer in life, Ray Taylor didn’t enter the film industry until 2017, when his father was looking for a camera operator to help at church. With a background in theatre, Ray loves the art of storytelling. Once he got his hands on a camera, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. He began his online program at The Los Angeles Film School in 2020 when the pandemic hit and dove headfirst into the world of filmmaking. In April 2021, he helped out a student in the on-campus program at the same school. He then realized he needed to do something to give himself a chance in the industry. Ray then began shooting a short film every month for an entire year in 2021. He now has seven films completed, four in post production, and is currently in full fundraising swing for his final film of the project.
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Bill Thibeault is both a musical and movie artisan. He serves as a singer/songwriter and musician, but also acts as a film producer, director, and actor. He currently produces films and music videos in both CT and RI. Thibeault is also a Vietnam Veteran and survivor of the worst naval disaster of the Vietnam War. Bill now has a feature film in development about the three Sage brothers from Nebraska who wanted to serve together and lost their lives in the collision.
Matthew Carroll was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was able to immerse himself in the arts at a young age. He is a former graduate of New Orleans Center of Creative Arts (N.O.C.C.A.), Bossier Parish Community College, Northwestern State University, and Louisiana State University. His degrees include a Masters in Liberal Arts, Bachelorette of Science in Musical Theatre, and a degree from Stella Adler Acting Conservatory. Matt has directed, wrote, acted, and produced multiple projects. Within the last few months, he started his own film company entitled Oak Street Entertainment. Since their conception in 2021, the company has produced two films, with three projects in the works - including a television series.
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Award-Winning filmmaker Erik Beacham grew up in Los Angeles, where he was introduced to the film industry. He worked background on various TV shows in the 1980s. For five years, he acted as a stand in on Better Call Saul. In 2012, he appeared on Breaking Bad, and some of the crew members of Breaking Bad assisted Erik in producing his first film, Baqueground! From that point on, he has directed and produced over 40 projects in New Mexico. The invaluable lessons he learned by working with the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul crews and actors has left an imprint in his films.
Erik currently resides in Jemez, New Mexico.
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Réka Ehrentreu is a screenwriter from the Midwest. She attended SIU-Carbondale’s Radio-TV Production program and DePaul University’s MFA in Screenwriting program. Her screenplays “Mom and Pop Rock,” “The Truth Hurts,” and “Mama Charlotte” have been finalists in various screenwriting competitions over the last few years, including the Scriptapalooza Fellowship, Las Vegas International Screenwriting Competition, and the Beverly Hills Film Festival. The pilot for “Oddball Ave.” was a Quarter Finalist in Screencraft’s 2016 Pilot Launch. She is also dabbled in stand-up comedy, storytelling, and memoir writing. She is currently working on a comedic limited series.
Paul Atreides is an author, playwright and theater critic. He began with a monthly column for Night Beat magazine, then rolled over to critic and columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Paul is now a critic/columnist for EatMoreArt!Vegas.com, and a freelance contributor to Desert Companion Magazine. Recently, he also added screenwriter to his sizable resume.
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