Marko Novakovic was born in Belgrade and graduated in Direction from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad (Serbia). He is known for his feature films NEKO ME IPAK CEKA (2009) , ZVERINJAK (2012) and BEZ STEPENIKA (2015) , which have won dozens of awards and prizes on Serbian and international film and TV festivals….
Sunny Liu, a versatile filmmaker, pianist, and animator based in NY, champions marginalized voices through compelling storytelling. With degrees from Emerson College, The New School and the School of Visual Arts, her talent spans diverse creative realms. Her films received acclaim at Doc NYC and The Nepal American International Film Festival, highlighting her commitment to…
J.R. “Sid” Stokes is a filmmaker and photographer from New York. From a very young age, J.R. has taken a strong interest in the art of storytelling, and hopes to continue having the privilege of curating films that push the boundaries of independent filmmaking.
Sigfrid Valer is a European actor trained in Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom, with a strong foundation in sophisticated comedy and commedia dell’arte. He has worked internationally with theater companies such as La Tourné Teatro and the UK-based physical theater company Highly Sprung Performance. His stage experience includes classical and contemporary works by playwrights…
Janet Hyojo Oh is a Korean American writer and producer based in NYC. She received a 2025 Finalist Award from New Jersey State Council on the Arts. An NYU Tisch alumna and Professional Writing MS candidate, Janet bridges the gap between emerging talent and the professional industry as Co-Showrunner for the JHRTS NY Writers’ Room…
Jacqueline Christy is an award-winning writer, director, and founder of Access Theater. She directed the short films REHEARSAL (Austin Film Festival) and OTHER PEOPLE (St Louis International Film Festival). Christy was awarded the Mary Pickford Award, the Woods Hole Emerging Director Award and was selected by SHOOT magazine for their New Directors Showcase. She received…
Mike has been teaching improv since 2011. Before the pandemic, he taught at The People’s Improv Theater for 3 years before going on tour with BeerProv, a Short Form Improv show (much like ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’) performing shows nightly aboard the MSC Meraviglia Cruise Ship. He developed his own signature style of improvisation…
Oryan Landa (pronounced “O’Ryan”) has worked in the entertainment industry for over 15 years as an actor, casting assistant, acting coach, production assistant, and on-set teacher. Working primarily in television, his recent acting credits include Chicago Fire (NBC), The Blacklist (NBC), Walker (CW), Bull (CBS), East New York (CBS), and The Walking Dead: World Beyond (AMC). Behind the scenes, Oryan has worked as a casting…
Nicole Sylvester is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and educator known for creating bold, emotionally rich stories rooted in authenticity, identity, and resilience. Her debut feature film, Maya & Her Lover, marked her arrival as a writer-director with a distinct voice. The film premiered at American Black Film Festival and went on to win Best Director…
Richard Jordan has been in the business for 25+ years, casting for the last 15 for a wide variety of projects from independent film, commercials, music videos, voice over, print and live events. Most recent features include THE BLACK CHAPEL by KY Woo. POP POP, Romas Zabarauskus’s THE WRITER which secured European distribution, POUNDCAKE by Onur…
Lauren Elizabeth Harris is an award-winning actor, producer and founder of Pathway Pictures. She has starred in numerous roles on film, television and on the stage. Pathway’s projects include Family Tree (starring William Shatner and Tom Bergeron), Pink Moon (directed by SXSW alum Carol Brandt and starring Blu Del Barrio of Star Trek), Bat Sheva Guez’s Babies…
Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith, The Film Festival Doctor, is a change agent. Her focus on film festivals and mental health is the first of its kind within the film industry. She creates new ways to approach festival strategies and redefine how to look after one’s mental health within the intense & rewarding world of the…
Dan is the founder of Soundview Media Partners. He entered the film distribution industry in 1984. He started in advertising, moved into sales in 1986 and by the mid-90’s came in from the cold entering into senior management for companies that included Fox Lorber Associates, The Disinformation Company and Koch Entertainment/Entertainment One where, for 7…
Vaughn Murphy has over a decade of combined experience in the media (video and film) and technologies (I.T.) industries working with industry top players. His passion for I.T. and media are evident in his hobbies, which include music production and engineering, website design, general editing, photography and special effects creation. On any given day you…
Lesley Sigall is a Managing Director at a major Swiss bank located New York City. She is the Chief Operating Officer in their Corporate Real Estate & Services department, where she is responsible for cost management,operational risk and controls, internal communications, performance management, and human capital strategy. Lesley was awarded as a 2017 Women Worth…