JUDGES

RON LESHEM – PRODUCER, WRITER, SHOWRUNNER

Ron Leshem created the original EUPHORIA and executive produced the Emmy® -nominated HBO remake of the same title. The Israeli-American TV/film writer-producer also co-created HBO Max’s VALLEY OF TEARS and co-wrote the film BEAUFORT, which was nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Foreign Language Film. His next big project is the upcoming juvenile jail series BAD BOY from Peter Chernin’s The North Road Company and Israeli studio Sipur. A bestselling author published in 20 languages who won Israel’s top literary award, The Sapir Prize, Leshem’s lengthy credits additionally include co-creating and co-writing Hulu and Arte’s Syrian civil war drama NO MAN’S LAND, as well as Israeli Academy Awards-winning film, INCITEMENT. On television, his work as creator and writer includes the drama THE GORDIN CELL – adapted by NBC as ALLEGIAN – and script editor for the comedy-drama THE BAKER AND THE BEAUTY, adapted by ABC. While serving as head of content for Keshet, Leshem picked up and oversaw the development of PRISONERS OF WAR (original HOMELAND), THE A-WORD, and many other critically acclaimed international shows. He started his media career as a war correspondent and a news editor, later serving as deputy editor-in-chief of the second-largest circulation daily newspaper in Israel at the time.

KIRSTIE MACDONALD – PRODUCER

Kirstie MacDonald started her television career at World Productions where she script edited many shows including BAFTA-winning THE COPS, OUTLAWS, THE FEAR, LINE OF DUTY, and SAVE ME before exec producing the true-crime dramas, IN PLAIN SIGHT and DARK ANGEL for ITV. During her time at Expectation Entertainment, she was executive producer on the BAFTA-winning drama GUILT for BBC Scotland, which starred Mark Bonnar. As Creative Director at FilmNation, she oversees a diverse slate of writer-driven series that reflect a broad range of bold and entertaining stories.

SEAN BAKER – ACTOR

Sean is from the Bronx, New York. An accomplished actor, singer, songwriter, and music producer, Sean has performed in theatre productions such as A RAISIN IN THE SUN, A MOTHER’S LOVE, and THE STRENGTH OF LOVE. He is credited for appearing on TV shows such as Apple TV+ SWAGGER, The CW’s ALL AMERICAN, TALES, AMERICAN SOUL, and BIGGER on BET, QUEEN OF THE SOUTH on USA Network, and FBI on CBS. Sean has also graced the silver screen in the films such as the Tupac biopic ALL EYEZ ON ME, SHAFT 2, TAKE OVER YOUR TRAP, THE PLUG, A QUESTION OF FAITH, MAKING MOVES, and THINGS MY DADDY SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME.

RENÉ BASTIAN – PRODUCER

René Bastian founded Belladonna Productions Inc. in 1994. His films have won awards at the Sundance, Berlin, Venice, and Toronto film festivals and have garnered a Golden Globe, as well as two Academy Award nominations. Most recently Belladonna produced the films IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON for Netflix and SON OF SHUDDER for AMC, as well as the series SWEET TOOTH for Netflix (under its Nightshade label), the latter being the ninth most successful series in Netflix history. He is also a founder of Cinelytic, an intelligence-driven digital service that provides easy-to-use online data and analytics resources to film industry professionals. 

MARK MONTGOMERY – PRODUCER

Mark is a specialist in film and television finance, production, and distribution having recently executive produced and produced multiple award-winning films including THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY (2015), DAMASCUS COVER (2017), HOTEL MUMBAI (2018), JUICY GIRL (2020) and MISPLACED (2021). He currently has a slate of films in various stages of production. With over twenty-five years of experience in the industry, Mark’s global network is extensive.

IRENE WEIBEL – PRODUCER

Irene Weibel won an Emmy for her role as EP on the Nickelodeon series, MIKE THE KNIGHT and has been creating and producing Kids and Family content for over 20 years. As Head of Studio for Nelvana Animation Studio in Toronto, Irene managed one of the busiest animation studios in the world and Executive Produced dozens of series including HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA and the Nickelodeon series LITTLE CHARMERS.

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOUZY – WRITER, EDITOR

Jean-Christophe was born in 1978 and graduated from french Cinema School La Fémis in 2005. Since then, he’s been mainly working as an editor and/or screenwriter on features such as RAW, LET THE GIRLS PLAY and TITANE. He’s a big fan of Tom Cruise, Luchino Visconti, and Jean-Pierre Melville.

ANTONY JOHNSTON – WRITER

Antony is a New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter. David Leitch’s ATOMIC BLONDE, starring Charlize Theron, was based on his graphic novel THE COLDEST CITY, and his novel THE EXPHORIA CODE is in development for TV. In 2020 he wrote and directed the indie short CROSSOVER POINT, made entirely in quarantine. He also writes videogames such as DEAD SPACE and BINARY DOMAIN.

PATRICK LUSSIER – DIRECTOR, WRITER & EDITOR

Patrick worked as Wes Craven’s editor, editing the SCREAM franchise, HALLOWEEN H20, CURSED & RED EYE before moving into directing with WHITE NOISE 2, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, DRIVE ANGRY with Nicolas Cage and Amber Heard, and 2018’s FLESH & BLOOD, written by our Alumni Louis Ackerman. He was also the writer of 2015’s TERMINATOR GENISYS. He just released his newest horror film, TRICK.

ADRIAN STURGES – PRODUCER

Adrian began his career producing short films with such directors as Rupert Wyatt – SUBTERRAIN and GET THE PICTURE and Sam Taylor-Wood – LOVE YOU MORE, the latter being nominated for a BAFTA and the Palme d’Or. His first feature was THE BAKER. Subsequently, he produced THE ESCAPIST, ALBATROSS, and the BAFTA nominated THE ENFIELD HAUNTING.

KATE  DICKIE – ACTRESS

Kate Dickie is a multiple award-winning Scottish actress. Her numerous film credits include RED ROAD, THE WITCH, TELL IT TO THE BEES, GET DUKED! and THE SILENT STORM, FOR THOSE IN PERIL, FILTH and Ridley Scott’s PROMETHEUS. Her work on  television includes Lysa Arryn in GAME OF THRONES, THE ALIENIST, THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH and the award-winning BBC drama FIVE DAUGHTERS. Currently Kate can be seen as Hallodara the Pict in Robert Eggers’ epic THE NORTHMAN.

NIKKI SOOHOO – ACTRESS

Best known for her roles in the movies: THE LOVELY BONES directed by Peter Jackson, STICK IT the gymnastics movie costarring alongside Jeff Bridges, and BRING IT ON FIGHT TO THE FINISH the cheerleading movie, Nikki has been a professional film and television actor for the past 17 years. You can see her on TV shows like THE RESIDENT, HEATHERS, SPEECHLESS, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS. 

MITCHELL ALTIERI – WRITER, DIRECTOR

Mitchell Altieri is a Brazilian American award-winner who has showcased his films at premier festivals such as Sundance, SXSW, and Fantasia. As part of the writing duo, The Butcher Brothers, he wrote and directed THE HAMILTONS (Lionsgate), APRIL FOOLS DAY (Sony), and THE VIOLENT KIND (Sundance). His latest film, STAR LIGHT, is a homage to 90s teenage horror.

ALAYNA GLASTHAL – FEATURE TEAM COORDINATOR

Alayna began her first job in the industry as an assistant at Paradigm Talent Agency. In 2018, she began working for the President of Atomic Monster Michael Clear, and was promoted to coordinator in 2020.

ANDREY ZOLOTAREV – WRITER

Andrey Zolotarev is one of the leading Russian screenwriters and showrunners, best known for his multi-awarded movies ICE (2018), SPUTNIK (2020), TRIGGER (2018-2022) and 13 KLINICHESKAYA (2022-). With twenty years of experience in the industry, Andrey became a co-founder of INEY Production company.

ALEX RANARIVELO – DIRECTOR

Born in France and raised on Sergio Leone and “Star Wars”. Alex cut his teeth on indie films in a wide variety of genres, one of the most notable being AMERICAN WRESTLER about a 17-year-old Iranian refugee who defies adversity and becomes the high school wrestling champion during the Iran hostage crisis of 1980. It garnered multiple “Best Film” and “Best Actor” awards on the festival circuit. Alex won the Grand Prize at the Slamdance Screenwriting competition for his action-adventure script THE GIRL WITH NO NAME and has recently directed features for major streamers, including THE RIDE, for Amazon Prime, I BELIEVE IN SANTA for Netflix, and two for HBO Max.

SEAN CHARLES – PRODUCER

Sean Charles is a Development & Production Manager at ALLBLK an AMC Networks property. He is responsible for producing and developing all original content for the streaming service, in addition to assisting in acquisitions and scheduling. Sean most recently worked in Corporate Communications working across internal and external communications from the Sundance Film Festival. He also formed and led the inaugural Black employee resource group, Vested Interest in Black Employees (V.I.B.E) from 2018 through 2021, as Co-Chair.

BRITNE OLDFORD – ACTOR

Britne Oldford’s work includes the award-winning FX show AMERICAN HORROR STORY, and “Fei aka Number 3” in the smash hit series THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY now streaming on Netflix. Britne will next appear as a co-star alongside Rachel Weisz in the upcoming Amazon series DEAD RINGERS for Amazon/Annapurna TV, due out in 2023. On the big screen, Britne was seen as ‘Missy’ in the Twentieth Century Fox feature FREE GUY, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer.

EMMA LUFFINGHAM – PRODUCER

Emma joined World Productions in 2019 as Head of Development. During that time she has also story-produced SHOWTRIAL (BBC), KAREN PIRIE (ITV), and a handful of upcoming projects in production. Prior to joining World, Emma was at Tiger Aspect where she script exec’d THE GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL and headed up a Writers Initiative to identify new British Asian talent. Emma began her drama career at the BBC where her credits include the Bafta-winning THREE GIRLS, UNDERCOVER, SILK, WHAT REMAINS, and THE INTERCEPTOR.

MICHAEL HYATT – ACTRESS

Michael Hyatt was born in England to Jamaican parents. At the age of 10, she immigrated to the United States with her mother and two siblings. Before Hyatt’s work in film and television, she enjoyed memorable performances on Broadway including the critically-acclaimed RAGTIME. Michael can currently be seen on the FX series SNOWFALL and the Sony feature film adaptation of the acclaimed bestselling book, WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING. Her television credits include THE WEST WING, THE WIRE, TRUE DETECTIVE, and CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND. She’ll next be seen in the Apple+ limited series THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, with Jennifer Garner.

PETER MOHAN – WRITER, PRODUCER

Peter has more than 600 hours of dramatic programming for network television. His credits as a writer and Executive Producer include THE HARDY BOYS, ORPHAN BLACK, THE LISTENER, LOST GIRL, MUTANT X, DUE SOUTH, and BLOOD TIES. In addition, Peter has twice served as the Showrunner in Residence for Norman Jewison’s prestigious Canadian Film Centre.

RANDALL KEENAN WINSTON – PRODUCER

Randall Keenan Winston is the producer of many beloved comedy series including SCRUBS, and COUGAR TOWN, working with such icons as Michael J. Fox and Courteney Cox. He is currently serving as Executive producer and Director on AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE and MIXEDISH. Randall proudly served as a board member of Ohio University and the Lupus Foundation of America and has served as mentor and Director for The International Screenwriters Association and GLAAD.

DAISY HAGGARD – WRITER, ACTRESS

Daisy is a hugely respected actress and writer, known for her portrayal of ‘Myra Licht’ in comedy series EPISODES, starring opposite Matt LeBlanc. She was most recently seen starring opposite Martin Freeman in TV comedy series BREEDERS which aired on Sky and FX in the US. In 2019 Daisy wrote, produced and starred in the BBC comedy BACK TO LIFE which received critical acclaim. The first series aired on Showtime. Daisy is currently writing series 2.

CHRIS PROVENZANO – WRITER, PRODUCER

EMMY Nominated film and television writer. He co-wrote the story and screenplay for GET LOW. He was a writer on MAD MEN and ARCHER. He’s also the writer & executive producer on JUSTIFIED and SILICON VALLEY.

JAMES BAMFORD – DIRECTOR

James Bamford began his career in the film industry back in 1990 as a stuntman for actor Michael Dudikoff on the Stephen J. Cannell series “COBRA”. Throughout the years as his career continued he went on as a stunt double for David Duchovny on the award-winning Chris Carter series “The X-Files” ……later as an actor, stunt coordinator, 2nd Unit Director, Director, and finally Producing Director on over 150 other television series and feature films in the course of the last 30 years.

REBECCA GIBSON – WRITER, PRODUCER

Rebecca is a partner and Head of Development at Eagle Vision (TAKEN. RECLAIM(ED). BUFFY SAINT-MARIE: CARRY IT ON.), with whom she recently won the Banff World Media Festival’s Innovative Producer Award. Rebecca is devoted to mentorship, working with the CMPA, WIFT, ACTRA, and WIDC, and several other national organizations to support diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. Rebecca founded Orange Daisy Project, to support mental health for teen girls. She is a multi-award-winning writer, director, producer, and actor.

JOSEPH MALLOZZI – WRITER, PRODUCER

Joseph is a writer and producer known for STARGATE SG-1, STARGATE: ATLANTIS, DARK MATTER, and TRANSPORTER: THE SERIES. His new series, UTOPIA FALLS, is in production.

JEANE PHAN WONG – WRITER

Jeane is a Vietnamese Chinese writer from the San Gabriel Valley. After a stint on DC’s VAMPIRE DIARIES comics, Jeane freelanced on CW’s ARROW. She is currently writing a biopic for East Films with director Bao Nguyen (BE WATER) attached. And her current pilot, a one-hour male-led rom-com about a Vietnamese family in the OC with a touch of magic realism is with Justin Lin’s Perfect Storm/Universal TV.

BILL THOMAS – DIRECTOR & VFX

Bill began his career in film and TV art departments, working as a prop maker on various movies, including STAR WARS, five of the HARRY POTTER films V FOR VENDETTA, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, JAMES BOND, and THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. He has directed feature films – most recently an adaptation of THE THREE MUSKETEERS for Signature Entertainment – and over 100 hours of documentary for various channels including Investigation Discovery, National Geographic, and the BBC.

TRACY A. WHITAKER – WRITER

After studying screenwriting in Los Angeles, Tracy became a regular staffer on NBC’s popular thriller BLINDSPOT. Prior to writing, Tracy was a Sergeant in the Army National Guard for eight years. Tracy co-wrote THE GHOST AND THE HOUSE OF TRUTH, the World Cinema Feature Winner at New York’s Urbanworld Film Festival.

RACHEL JAMES – DEVELOPMENT EDITOR

Rachel is a Development Editor working at RED production Company in the UK. She started her career as a trained broadcast journalist in regional news before making the move into TV production. She gained over 12 years of experience working with indies and broadcasters like BBC, Tiger Aspect, and Phil McIntyre across a number of high-end TV drama series. Most recently at RED, she worked with the script team on IT’S A SIN, the Channel 4, and HBO hit show by Russell. T. Davies.