Jury Judges (2025)
Marc Griffith
MARC GRIFFITH - is an accomplished film and television producer, director, and editor with over four decades of experience in the entertainment industry. The son of a network television writer, Marc grew up immersed in storytelling, with film sets and editing bays serving as his childhood playground.
He launched his first commercial production company in 1985, creating award-winning campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, and later co-founded Iron Image Media, shifting its focus to entertainment marketing for major and independent studios.
In the 2000s, Marc expanded into developing and producing original content, earning accolades for feature-length documentaries, web series, and network programs—including numerous Cine Awards, Telly Awards, and a regional Emmy. His latest work includes producing the upcoming Paramount/Republic Pictures historical drama Bau, Artist at War, set for theatrical release this September.
With current projects spanning faith-based dramas, sci-fi thrillers, and thought-provoking comedies, Marc remains driven by a passion to inspire and uplift through storytelling—aiming to position Hollywood as a powerful force for positive global change.
Michelle P. Griffith
MICHELLE P. GRIFFITH - is an award-winning writer, producer, editor. Michelle has just completed producing a feature film for distribution by Republic Pictures/Paramount Global called BAU, ARTIST AT WAR, starring Emile Hirsch, Inbar Lavi, and Josh Zuckerman. It is set for theatrical release on September, 2025.
Other work includes environmental and political documentaries, web series, and TV and feature projects in different phases of development, including THE PRODIGAL, the untold controversy behind the Jesus movement and CIA WOMAN about one of the founding females of the CIA. Also on the slate of features is PULSE, a bio murder mystery based on a true story, and 312 AZUSA STREET, the screen adaptation of a book Michelle co-authored about a true, spiritual phenomenon which happened at the turn of the 20th century.
Melora Hardin
Melora Hardin is well known for her portrayal of ‘Jan Levinson,’ Steve Carell’s rigid, former corporate boss and love interest, on the critically acclaimed NBC series “The Office.” Additionally, Hardin was Emmy nominated in 2016 for her recurring role of ‘Tammy Cashman’ on Amazon’s Golden Globe-winning comedy “Transparent.” In 2021, she wrapped the fifth and final season of the Freeform series “The Bold Type” as well as competed in the 30th Season of ABC’s long running “Dancing With The Stars” series making it to the Semi-Finals with her professional dance partner Artem Chigvintsev. She also recurred on the ABC series “A Million Little Things.”
Hardin starred in back-to-back No. 1 weekend theatrical box office features as the adult female lead and love interest to Billy Ray Cyrus in “Hannah Montana: The Movie," as well as the film “17 Again” opposite Zac Efron. Her other feature film box office successes include “Thank You for Smoking,” “Absolute Power” opposite Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman and “27 Dresses” with Katherine Heigl.
Most recently, Melora reprised her role of ‘Trudy Monk’ in “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie” which is streaming on Peacock.
In addition to acting, Hardin has been singing and dancing since childhood. She has sung in films including Disney’s “The Rocketeer” and “Tower of Terror,” and has released three records of original songs all on Spotify.
Timothy Woodward Jr
Timothy Woodward Jr is an Emmy-winning director, producer, and showrunner based in Hollywood, California. Originally from Georgetown, South Carolina, Timothy has established himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. With a string of successful films under his belt, he has garnered acclaim for his distinctive storytelling and captivating visuals.
Timothy's directorial portfolio includes the critically acclaimed bio-pics "Hickok" and "Gangster Land," both of which delve into the complex lives of historical figures against the backdrop of compelling narratives. "Hickok" offers a vivid portrayal of the legendary Wild West figure Wild Bill Hickok, while "Gangster Land" immerses audiences in the gritty underworld of Al Capone and his notorious enforcer, Machine Gun Jack McGurn.
In addition to his filmography, Timothy has made significant contributions to television, notably as the director and showrunner of the hit series "Studio City," on Amazon Prime which not only earned him an Emmy award but also garnered four nominations, solidifying his reputation as a creative force in the industry.
Currently, Timothy is at the helm of an exciting new project, directing Academy Award Winner Anthony Hopkins in a highly anticipated Reimagining of "The Island of Dr. Moreau," showcasing his ability to collaborate with industry icons and bring visionary projects to life.
Hayley Orrantia
Hayley Orrantia is an actress and producer best known for her decade-long portrayal of Erica Goldberg on ABC’s hit sitcom The Goldbergs. In addition to her success on screen, Hayley has cultivated a dynamic career in music, having written and released original music as an indie pop artist, toured nationally, performed in musical Kinky Boots at The Hollywood Bowl, placed as runner-up on Season 6 of FOX’s The Masked Singer, and written and performed songs for films she’s starred in, including Lionsgate rom-com Christmas Is Canceled and the Pureflix feature God’s Not Dead 2.
Her experience on stage and screen has only informed what’s necessary behind it. With a creative versatility extending beyond performing, Hayley has gone on to produce music videos, documentary shorts and multi-award-winning narrative short films such as All Four Won (dir. Nick Galarza) taking home Best Crime Short at Independent Shorts Awards and JOE (dir. Greg Furman) landing Best Comedy Short at Burbank International Film Festival.
Driven by a passion for authentic storytelling and belief in the importance of supporting artists, Hayley continues to develop and champion original projects in the independent film space.
Michael Budd
Michael Hamish Budd is an Australian film actor, director, and producer. Michael received nationwide International and international press as the Director/Producer for Rubys Choice, starring Jane Seymour OBE and Jacqueline McKenzie.
Michael has Directed Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and ACCTA Award Winners. He is best known as an actor for playing the Zion Controller In Matrix 2-3 and Esmael alongside Henry Cavill (Man of Steel), Bruce Willis, and Sigourney Weaver in The Cold Light of Day.
Michael is the first Australian born of African American descent to direct, produce and star in a feature film in Australia. Owner of Amazing People Pictures On the 7th of March 2022, Ruby’s Choice premiered in Santa Barbara, California, at the 37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where it was Nominee for Best International Feature Film.
At the Burbank International Film Festival (BIFF) on September 24,2023, Michael Budd led ‘Ruby’s Choice’ to triumph in two significant categories, winner of Best Foreign Film and Best Feature Film. The prestigious event, attended by a star-studded audience, coincided with the honouring of the legendary filmmaker Tim Burton. Despite massive logistics deviations, production cuts, and an entire state change for filming, all in the middle of the pandemic, Michael Budd demonstrated incredible strength, fearless leadership, and overwhelming resilience to see the Ruby's Choice completion.
Other notable films In 2013, he directed, produced and Starred in "Love of My Life", Michael again directs, produces and stars in "Enter Sanctum", a Sci-Fi due to release in 2024
Michael is fast proving himself to be one of Australia's leading independent filmmakers.
Lance Paul
Lance Paul is a producer and founder of Ginger Knight Films. After moving to Los Angeles with a finance degree and a passion for acting, he saw a gap in indie film financing—just as affordable DSLR cameras were democratizing filmmaking.
He found early success with ultra-low-budget films that turned a profit through international sales, particularly in China. That momentum led him to produce 16 feature films across a wide range of budgets and genres, from horror and Christian dramas to documentaries like The Orange Years.
Lance has created content for platforms and studios including Netflix, Lionsgate, and Amazon, and expanded into television with the Amazon Original Kombucha Cure. His most recent film, FLUXX, won Best Picture at the Burbank International Film Festival, reflecting his ongoing commitment to bold, artistic storytelling.
G. Charles Wright
G. Charles Wright is a veteran of TV casting with over 700 episodes of television and films to his credit. His studio can help actors transform their audition TECHNIQUE.
A graduate of USC with a degree in communications (emphasis on television, critical studies,) G. has been on both sides of the camera, as an actor, a casting director, a content creator, a producer and a director.
In addition, G’s been teaching actors how to audition in his private studio classes since 2002. He began his professional casting career in 1996 as an intern on 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN for Liberman/Patton at Carsey/Werner studios. Shortly after, G moved up the ranks from assistant to associate and finally casting director on THAT ‘70s SHOW seven+ of the series’ eight seasons.
G is the original casting director of the PBS and Jim Henson Co. animated series SID THE SCIENCE KID, the FX channel’s ANGER MANAGEMENT starring Charlie Sheen, the ABC comedy series, THE MIDDLE starring Patricia Heaton, the IFC horror/comedy series from Dana Gould, STAN AGAINST EVIL, the family comedy DIARY OF A FUTURE PRESIDENT on Disney+ and LOPEZ VS LOPEZ for Universal Television and NBC, Peacock, and Netflix.
Alan Derian
Alan Derian has scored over sixty feature films and most recently composed music for five seasons of the CBS hit series “Madam Secretary.” Along with his own films, he has worked with such notable composers as Richard Marvin, George Acogny and John Debney, on such projects as “Years of Living Dangerously,” “Monk Comes down the Mountain,” and “Everyone’s Hero.” His music has been featured in film music concerts and he has been a guest speaker at the Academy of Scoring Arts.
Lawrence Grobel
Lawrence Grobel is a freelance writer who has written 25 books and for numerous national magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times, Newsday, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, The Saturday Evening Post, Reader’s Digest, American Way, Parade, Details, TV Guide, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Penthouse, Diversion, Writer’s Digest, and AARP. He has been a contributing editor at Playboy, Movieline, Hollywood Life, Autograph, New Zealand’s World, Bulgaria’s Ego, and Poland’s Trendy magazines. Playboy called him “the interviewer’s interviewer” after his interview with Marlon Brando for their 25th anniversary issue; he subsequently made news as the result of his controversial interviews with Gov. Jesse Ventura and former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight.
Between 1968-71 he taught in the Peace Corps at the Ghana Institute of Journalism in West Africa. He created the MFA in Professional Writing program for Antioch University in 1977 and served as its Director for three years. In 1981 he received a National Endowment for the Arts grant for fiction. His 1985 book Conversations with Capote received a PEN Special Achievement award and reached the top of the Village Voice’s bestseller list.
Joe Russell
Joe Russell was born in Belleville, Illinois. He is a producer and actor known for the Netflix Original film XOXO (2016) the short film Laboratory Conditions starring Marisa Tomei and Minnie Driver and hundreds of short films commercials and music videos. He studied producing at UCLA and trained under the great Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach in NY.
Jennifer Taylor
Born in Hoboken, New Jersey and raised in Florida, Jennifer Taylor made her film debut in “Wild Things” portraying Matt Dillon’s girlfriend. She then appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy “The WaterBoy.” But she is most well known for her work on the hit sit-com, “Two and A Half Men” where Jennifer played Charlie Sheen’s fiancée for nearly 40 episodes before Sheen left the show. Completing Season 1, she stars in “Saved By Grace”, an original television series by PureFlix.
Since moving to Los Angeles she has had recurring roles on numerous series such as “Burn Notice”,“Shameless”, and "The Young and the Restless". Jennifer has also starred in multiple Lifetime movies like “A Deadly Deed” and “Twisted Twin”. You can also see her in “Hostage House” on Netflix.
Taylor leads a multi-faceted life when she’s not acting. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, enjoys do-it-yourself projects, and books. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children where she loves to cook from scratch and spend time with her family.
Toby Cochran
Toby Cochran is the award-winning director of LUKi & the Lights, which earned 50
wins across 100 international film festivals and was longlisted for the 2025 Academy
Awards. With 20 years of animation and production experience, he is the founder and
creative force behind Big Grin Productions, known for developing heartfelt, visually rich
stories grounded in research and emotional truth.
His roles span story artist, writer, and director, and he has led global teams across
various media, including games, commercials, live-action, and animated series. Toby
has collaborated with industry leaders including Apple, Salesforce, SoftBank Robotics,
Netflix, Marvel, Reel FX, and Kuku Studios. He is currently developing original stories
for both live-action and animated feature films. His work reflects a deep commitment to
elevating storytelling through craft, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity.
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George Larkin
George Larkin is a Professor and Chair of Filmmaking at Woodbury University. He's a graduate of Yale University, has an M.A of Shakespearean Studies from the University of Birmingham (England), and has a Ph.D. in Film & Media Studies at the University of California-Berkeley. Routledge Research published his book, “Post-Production and the Invisible Revolution of Filmmaking,” in 2018. His recent short documentary from the book, “The Exchange Girl,” played in 32 festivals, winning 7 awards.
He was the head of development and post-production supervisor on two of David O. Russell's films (“Spanking the Monkey” & “Flirting With Disaster”) as well as “Manny & Lo,” “The Last Good Time,” and “Wigstock: the Movie.” The films premiered at the Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, and Avignon Film Festivals and were distributed by Miramax, New Line, Sony Classics, and Samuel Goldwyn. The films starred Patricia Arquette, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Téa Leoni, and Ben Stiller among others
For more information, please check www.georgelarkin.com.
Marion Campbell Kammer
Marion Campbell Kammer was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After graduating from Ohio
University she moved to Los Angeles to find work in film and television. Her first job was as an assistant in the Youth Division at Coast to Coast Talent Agency, then she worked at Gersh for three years as an assistant to both Lorrie Bartlett and Bob Gersh. She went to TalentWorks two years after its launch in 2002 and she was an agent there for 16 years and was made VP of Talent. She has been at Buchwald for a little over three years and was promoted to VP of Talent a year ago.
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Aloura Charles
Aloura Charles is a filmmaker and author who graduated FSU Film School and mentored with directors including, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard and Gus Van Sant. Her feature films and shorts have won festival awards both in the US and internationally. Her Hallmark Christmas movie, Five Gold Rings, premiered last year at the same time as her middle reader adventure book series, Sucked In! Aloura has several pilots and features in development including a scifi series at Roddenberry Entertainment and an animation feature based on the Graeme Base book, The Golden Snail. She lives in Burbank, CA where she enjoys many adventures with her young son.
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Ivan Williams
Ivan Williams is an award-winning producer whose work spans films, web series, podcasts, and Broadway musicals. After a successful career as a senior leader at ARCO and BP, he transitioned into the entertainment industry in 2012. His producing credits include Knights of Badassdom, Big Stone Gap, M.F.A., This Changes Everything, Creating Woodstock, the Broadway musical First Date, and the hit podcast Hidden History Happy Hour.
Recent projects being released or screened this year include Black Diamond, Ramona at Midlife, Secret Mall Apartment (executive produced with Jesse Eisenberg), Köln 75 (German Film Academy Award nominee), How to Build a Truth Engine (executive produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov), and The Wonder and the Worry.
Ivan is CEO of the AI startup Nexus4AI and co-founder of Wildbrush Media and Outer Limits Productions. He also serves as a strategic advisor to Planet Home Media Group and sits on the boards of ScriptHop, reSpace, and Montana’s Project Winterland Impact Festival. A U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence veteran, he is a member of the Producers Guild of America, The Creative Coalition, and is an adjunct professor at UC Irvine.
Ricardo Serena
Ricardo Serena (Ric, thanks to his Grandmother’s insistence that 3 letter-names are good luck) is a Director and Editor based in Los Angeles. He most recently won his second Emmy Award for Outstanding Promotional Announcement, adding to a long list of recognition for his work in television including Clios and Promax Awards. In addition to commercial and promo work, Ric’s newest short film RADIO SILENCE was a finalist at the 2023 ABFF HBO Short Film Award Showcase and has been recognized with a Jury Award, Audience Award, and Best Director Award in the 2023/24 festival circuit. His 2018 documentary MY INDIANA MUSE garnered five “Best Documentary” awards with over 20 festival screenings. He has also earned two Vimeo Staff picks, dabbles in animation, and has written three feature film screenplays he’s currently developing with the intent to direct.
Ric co-owns SERENA CREATIVE in 2007 with his lifelong partner & photographer, Jennifer Serena. Though he currently focuses his energy on directing & writing, his editorial instincts will forever be an asset.
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Michael Cudlitz
Michael Cudlitz is best known for his acting work in film and television with a career spanning more than 30 years, Appearing in more than 100 projects, including "A River Runs Through It", "Band of Brothers", “SouthLAnd”, "The Walking Dead” and “Superman & Lois". Recently, he’s stepped behind the camera directing several hours of television and the award winning short film, “On Earth, as it is in Heaven.”
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Rachael Cudlitz
Rachael Cudlitz is a graduate of CalArts. An award winning published writer in short fiction, she has recently turned to screenwriting. She is the writer/producer of the award winning short film, “On Earth, as it is in Heaven.”
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Michael Naizu
Michael Naizu is an Asian American actor, writer, producer, and filmmaker. He is the founder of PinkHouse Productions and the creative force behind Bound For Glory. The short film version was independently financed and sold to JoySauce.com, and the feature-length adaptation—now in pre-production—stars Michael alongside Janel Parrish and Blake Jenner.
As an actor, Michael has appeared in Amazon’s Christmas is Canceled and HBO’s Hacks. He also wrote, co-directed, and starred in Panacea, an all-Asian American horror short that won top prizes at the Burbank, Nashville, and Gasparilla Film Festivals. A feature adaptation is currently in development.
Michael gained attention for his breakout role in the hit vertical series My Secret Agent Husband, and continues to develop original, diverse stories across film and digital platforms.
Richard John Paul Myers
Born in Mission Viejo and raised in Apple Valley and Victorville, CA, Richard John Paul Myers is a commercial and film producer and the co-founder and CEO of Myers Marketing. While working for The Walt Disney Company in Florida in 2011, he became a contributing film critic for digital platforms out of Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and Orlando, FL. He has worked on the physical production of various live events such as the 2023 Academy Awards Viewing Party in Beverly Hills at the Warner Bros Estate and LA LIFF 2025 (Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival).
In 2024, Richard and his wife Stephanie Gastineau wrote and produced commercials for Chevrolet with an Emmy and Grammy award-winning team that included: Warren Yeager (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Adam Sklena (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Gustavo Sampaio (Sweet Rose), Brian Vibberts (Moana 2) and Walter Volpatto (Dunkirk).
In September 2025, Richard and Stephanie will be directing and producing their debut short, The Sting of Childhood, a coming-of-age drama based on a true story about a young boy who stands up to his neighborhood bullies in the summer of 1995. As producers, they’ve formed a team of both local and Hollywood filmmakers that have worked on projects including: Ace Ventura, Star Wars VIII, Disney’s Onward, Moana 2, The Good Dinosaur, Hercules (1997), Curb Your Enthusiasm, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Massacre of the Mormons to name a few.
Dina Lipton
Dina Lipton is a Motion Picture and Television Production Designer based in Los Angeles. Throughout her 38 year career she has designed a variety of projects from serious period dramas to dark comedies along with family friendly television comedy series. Some of her credits include such feature films as, the critically acclaimed, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Ice Cube’s Next Friday, Kevin Smith’s Mallrats,and Albert Brooke’s The Muse.
Some of Dina’s television credits are Hulu’s comedy series This Fool, Not Dead Yet starring Gina Rodriguez for ABC TV, and the groundbreaking family comedy The Real O’Neals. Lipton was nominated for Excellence in Production Design for a Single Camera Television Series from the Art Directors Guild for her work on the series drama, Jack and Bobby. She is a member of the Television Academy and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and is currently serving as the President of The Art Directors Guild, I.A.T.S.E. Local 800.
Alexia Melocchi
Alexia Melocchi is a PGA producer, international distributor, and founder of Little Studio Films. With over 30 years in the entertainment industry, she has been instrumental in the sale and production of over 40 films worldwide. As the host of the 5-star rated podcast The Heart of Show Business and author of An Insider’s Secret: Mastering the Hollywood Path, Alexia is a passionate advocate for emerging talent and global storytelling. Fluent in seven languages, she brings a sharp eye for originality and marketability and has been invited to speak and lead masterclasses on pitching at major Festivals such as Cannes Film Festival.
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Mitchel Katlin
Mitchel Katlin has been writing and producing for over thirty-five years. A Chicago native, Katlin got his start by writing the television movie The Last Fling starring John Ritter. He, along with Nat Bernstein, first collaborated on the feature film Opportunity Knocks, starring Dana Carvey, for Imagine Films. They later transitioned to series television, producing and writing over 25 episodes of Doogie Howser, M.D., and producing and writing on Baby Boom and Ally McBeal. Katlin and Bernstein went on to create several network television series together, including Bringing Up Jack and Over The Top, starring Tim Curry and Annie Potts (ABC); Cursed, starring Steven Weber (NBC); Abby with Sydney Tamiia Poitier, as well as The Gregory Hines Show and Center of The Universe, starring John Goodman, Jean Smart and Ed Asner (CBS). They recently collaborated as executive producers/showrunners on the Nickelodeon series’ Supah Ninjas and See Dad Run. Mitchel also directed episodes of See Dad Run. Mitchel most recently was the showrunner on the Netflix series, Project MC2 in conjunction with AwesomenessTV and toy company MGA.
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Tom Brady
The “original” Tom Brady has enjoyed a thirty-year career as a Writer, Director, and
Producer in both Television and Film. Tom’s TV writing credits include The Simpsons
(FOX), The Critic (ABC/FOX), Home Improvement (ABC), Sports Night (ABC), Men
Behaving Badly (NBC), Good Vibes (MTV), and Chozen (FX), serving as Showrunner on
the last three. As a Writer and/or Director, Tom’s studio feature films include: The Hot
Chick (DISNEY), The Animal (REVOLUTION), and The Comebacks (FOX). Under his
own independent film banner, Tiki Tāne Pictures, Tom recently produced the The
Assessment, a thrilling sci-fi starring Alicia Vikander, Himesh Patel and Elizabeth Olsen,
as well as the upcoming Western-with-a-twist, Long Shadows.
Jacqueline Rosenthal
Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal is a DGA Grand Prize & Student-Emmy winning Writer/Director/Activist. She is known for BACKLOG (Cannes Official Selection), announced in Deadline as the Winner of Catalyst Studios/Stage 32 Empowering Women Screenplay Competition, receiving an option agreement and currently in development. The short film screened at 85 film festivals internationally, 10 impact screenings, and brought home awards from 25 film festivals, including the Limelight Award for Social Justice at Ojai Film Festival and an Anthem Award for Film/Media in Social Justice. The film is currently streaming on Kanopy, Mometu, and Samansa.
Most recently, she was named "one of the Top Voices in Virtual Production" by the CTO of Paramount's SXSW Keynote for her sci-fi epic, Europa, a film she wrote and directed on SONY’s Culver City backlot. With two months of pre-production Jacqueline helmed a +1,500 crew for 42 days on SONY's Stage 7 LED Volume, as the first Narrative Virtual Production on the stage, co-owned and operated by Oscar-winning VFX company Pixomondo. The film was the inaugural recipient of the NFMLA NewNarratives Grant, with an additional endorsement by Hollywood Climate Summit, as the film warns about privatized space missions and calls to protect our own planet before turning to colonize the resources of Jupiter's moon, Europa.
Jacqueline's participated in the following fellowships: Creator’s Playlab (mentored by Palme d'or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul), Fox Fellowship, Athena Writer’s Lab, Stowe Story Labs,
Athena List (Semi Finalist), Hallmark Make Her Mark (Finalist), ETC@USC R&D Innovation Grant, NFMLA NewNarratives. Jacqueline is a recent graduate of USC's School of Cinematic Arts with an MFA in Film & TV Production, where she assisted Jason Michael Berman, Nancy Forner, and Robert Townsend, where she attended as the John Huston Scholar for Outstanding Director. She is represented by 3 Arts and Culture Creative. She is dedicated to helping the next generation of auteurs stay true to their voice and find footing in the ever shifting landscape of the entertainment industry.