2015 Jury

Becca Greene is a writer/director based in Los Angeles. Becca has written for and developed multiple TV shows and pilots including, “Nevermind the Bullocks,” Zachary Levi’s ‘’Worst Night Ever’’ at NBCUniversal, and David Gordon Green’s animated comedy, “Good Vibes”. Her remakes of the successful Italian films for producers Aurelio and Luigi De Laurentiis are in development. She is set to direct her first feature film next year, The Beard, with Adam Goodman producing. Instagram: @thebeccagreene

BRANDON HARRIS has worked in the world of American independent film as a critic and programmer, a producer and director, a screenwriter and educator. A graduate of SUNY Purchase, he has published writings about cinema, politics, and the intersection of the two in Filmmaker Magazine, where he is a contributing editor, along with Variety, N+1, and noted cinema blogs such as Hammer to Nail. His directorial debut Redlegs has played over a dozen festivals worldwide and was a New York Times critic’s pick upon its commercial release in May of 2012.

Dr. Rachel Raimist is a filmmaker most known for Nobody Knows My Name, the first documentary about women in hip-hop. She has received grants from Women In Film and The Minnesota States Arts Board and was selected a Faculty Fellow of the Emmy Foundation’s Television Academy and the National Association of Television Programming Executives (NATPE). She earned a MFA and BA in Film Directing and a PhD. She is the associate professor of media production at The University of Alabama, where she also serves as Co-Director of Creative Campus Program. Find Rachel on social media as @docraimist.

Aaron Hillis is the Manager of Film & Creative Outreach for the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo. He was praised by Brooklyn Magazine as one of “The 100 Most Influential People in Brooklyn Culture.” Aaron is also a filmmaker, programmer, and proprietor of Video Free Brooklyn (one of the last DVD rental stores in NYC). His writings have appeared in The Village Voice, VICE, Variety, Vanity Fair, and several other outlets that don’t start with V. Aaron’s co-directorial feature debut FISH KILL FLEA screened at Sidewalk in 2007. Twitter & Instagram: @cobblehillis.

A film publicist by trade, Maureen Masters serves as Director of Regional Publicity and Festival Bookings for Magnolia Pictures. She earned a BA in Journalism as well as a master’s in Communications, writing independent film reviews and working in film publicity throughout the country. She now leads marketing campaigns for Magnolia’s theatrical slate with past campaigns including successes such as Melancholia, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Queen of Versailles, Blackfish, and Iris.

Farah White has won over directors and fellow actors with her talent, passion and a tenacity to do whatever it takes to help get the job done. A professional actress since 1999, she can currently be seen in Flutter (2015), Ladies of the House (2015), in which she starred/produced, and in the upcoming release of The Great & The Small. She has written and directed several shorts, television pilots, and produced over 10 features in the past 5 years.

Skizz Cyzyk is a filmmaker, writer, musician, artist, and film festival careerist having held positions at MicroCineFest, Maryland Film Festival, Slamdance, Kansas City Film Fest, and Atlanta Film Festival. Skizz also writes for music and film magazines, is on the Board of Directors for Maryland Lawyers for the Arts, plays ukulele for Go Pills, and is the drummer for indie-pop sensations The Jennifers, as well as for Mink Stole & Her Wonderful Band. Facebook: Skizz. Twitter & Instagram: @skizzcyzyk

Andrea Krauss has a professional background in television, film and video with a concentration on independent film that spans over two decades. Producing credits include: Dalila Ali Rajah’s short film “Secret & Toys” with Quentin Lee directing, “Grown This Way” directed by Nathan Adloff and “Cinema Conversations with Stephen P. Jarchow”, a docu series for Here Television. Her ability to build bridges through cultural diplomacy has fostered the exchange of ideas and communication through the medium of film. @kraussinthehouse

Roberta Munroe is a producer, author, writer/director and the Managing Partner of her LA based film production and consulting company. Her book, HOW NOT TO MAKE A SHORT FILM: SECRETS FROM A SUNDANCE PROGRAMMER (Hyperion, 2009), has remained an Amazon Best Seller since its publication. From 2001-2006, Roberta programmed short films at The Sundance Film Festival during which time the Online Film Festival won several coveted Webby Awards.

JONATHAN CAOUETTE has been making films since he was 11 years old. His early shorts include The Ankle Slasher (1987), The Techniques and Sciences of Eva (1988), Pig Nymph (1990), The Hospital (2001), Flowerbone (1998), Fame (2002), and more recently All Tomorrows Parties (2009), All Flowers In Time (2010), and Walk Away Renee (2011).  Jonathan presently lives in Long Island City, NY, with his husband David Sanin. Jonathan has a 20-year-old son, Josh, who makes experimental noise and makes his dad very proud.

(see Shorts jury)

(see Documentaries jury)