Malin Kan

Malin Kan is a Los Angeles-based film curator with over a decade of experience in festival programming and program management. She is Director of European Languages and Movies in America (ELMA), a nonprofit foundation that partners with film festivals, consulates and cultural organizations to bring European cinema to Los Angeles. In her previous role, she served as Senior Programmer of Feature Films at AFI FEST, where she helped shape the voice of the festival from 2016 to 2025. Malin’s curatorial approach draws on her academic background in film history and archival preservation, with an interest in expanding the international canon and fostering cultural dialogue through film. She holds a BA in Film and Media Studies from UC Berkeley and an MA in Moving Image Archive Studies from UCLA. She has contributed writing to film publications and has served on juries and selection committees for festivals and granting bodies nationwide.

Danielle McCarthy-Boles

Danielle McCarthy-Boles is the VP of Publicity at Magnolia Pictures. She has managed publicity campaigns for independent film hits including breakout Sundance action-comedy THELMA, starring Oscar® nominee June Squibb, Alexander Nanau’s double Oscar nominee COLLECTIVE; back-to-back Cannes Palme d’Or winners and Oscar-nominated SHOPLIFTERS and THE SQUARE; Oscar-nominated RBG; and Raoul Peck and James Baldwin’s Oscar-nominated I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO among many others.

McCarthy-Boles produced the critically acclaimed documentary Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me which was released nationwide by Magnolia Pictures in 2013. Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me was released internationally by Universal Music Group in 2014.

McCarthy-Boles holds a BFA in Cinema Studies from New York University and an MA in Media Studies from The New School. She is currently based in Austin, TX.

Jennica Carmona

Jennica Carmona is a New York City based Puerto Rican film maker, actor, and activist. Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and raised in Rochester, NY she is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. She is a proud co-founder of Si Se Puede Productions, a theatre and film production company that creates material with a social justice theme. From 2008-2009, Jennica worked with director Lee Daniels on the Academy Award winning film, ‘Precious”, where she gained hands on experience with filmmaking and production. She later went on to write, direct, and produce her first feature film, “Millie and the Lords”. The film was the recipient of several film festival awards and it was sold to HBO/Cinemax shortly after its release. Jennica is currently in post production of her new short film, “The Corito Project”, which she developed and worked on as part of the 2024 Third World Newsreel Program.

As an educator, Jennica has worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Arts Undergraduate Film Program, with the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, and with the Montclair Film Festival’s Education Department. She has also worked as a screener for SXSW and as a Guest Instructor for the Reel Sisters Film Festival. Currently, she works as the Documentary Film Programmer for the Atlanta Film Festival.

Dr. James B. Pratt, Jr.

Dr. James B. Pratt, Jr. is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Director of the Justice Propulsion Lab (JPL) at Fisk University, where he also serves as Coordinator of Criminology, Law Enforcement, and Security Studies (CLESS) and Homeland Security programs. A scholar, educator, public intellectual, and former band director, his work explores violence, culture, social movements, institutions, and the ways communities make meaning in the face of harm and change. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine, and his bachelor’s from Morehouse College.

As founding director of the JPL, Dr. Pratt leads interdisciplinary initiatives that bridge theory, policy, and practice through humanistic and being-centered research, mediation, civic engagement, leadership development, and public problem-solving. Under his leadership, the Lab has secured millions of dollars in funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Volcker Alliance to continue innovative programs that prepare students, staff, and community members to become Justice Propulsion Agents. Dr. Pratt’s work has been featured in academic and public venues, including NPR, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, TEDxNashville, and the former Black News Channel. He is a proud member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Matt Finlin

Matt Finlin is a Toronto-based director and producer known for crafting emotionally resonant stories that intersect art, social impact, and cultural memory. With a background in both documentary and commercial filmmaking, Finlin has spent over a decade building a body of work that reflects his deep interest in human connection, creative expression, and the power of storytelling to inspire real-world change.

His first feature-length documentary, The Movie Man, premiered at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and was praised for its heartfelt portrayal of a small-town cinema owner’s life, legacy, and love of film. Distributed by Mongrel Media, the film went on to screen at festivals across North America and aired on TCM and PBS.

Finlin has collaborated extensively with Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder and EB Research Partnership, using film to amplify awareness around Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and accelerate efforts to find a cure. His latest documentary, Matter of Time, is a culmination of that work—bringing together patients, researchers, and artists in a powerful exploration of community, resilience, and the fight to end rare disease.

A lifelong music lover, Finlin’s work often pairs image with sound in striking ways. Matter of Time marks his second collaboration with Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene, whose original score builds emotional texture into the film’s narrative. Through his production company, Door Knocker Media, Finlin continues to champion stories with purpose—whether partnering with nonprofits, artists, or global changemakers.

Ariana Farina

For over a decade, Ariana Farina has been the Chair for Narrative Features Programming and a Senior Producer at Dances With Films Festival (DWF:LA) and DWF:NY. In addition, she has spearheaded new development programs at DWF, including a day of queer co-sponsored screenings with OUTFEST. Previously, she has screened films for AFI Fest, Outfest, and other festivals. Ariana is also a Film Competition Judge for Women In Film – Film Finishing Fund and Women and Hollywood – First Time Female Filmmakers Competition, and she has sat on the Jury for many other film festivals. Currently Ariana is touring the U.S. presenting on Film Festival Submission Strategy for Filmmakers at locations such as Film Independent, USC School of Cinematic Arts, Women in Film Chicago.

Brandon Vestal

Brandon Vestal is a Nashville-based filmmaker and editor dedicated to preserving the stories that time tends to forget. His work in documentary has helped bring multiple award-winning films to life, culminating in his recent Opryland USA documentary, which earned Best Tennessee Feature. Alongside his documentary work, Brandon partners with leading organizations—including Bridgestone, the YMCA, Journeys, and Interstate Batteries—to produce compelling corporate and live event films across the country. Whether working on stage or in the edit suite, he is driven by a belief that the most meaningful stories are often found in life’s quieter, less-documented moments—and that those moments deserve to endure.

Kathy Susca

Kathy Susca is the Director of Content and Operations for The Film Collaborative, coordinating operations for their festival and non-theatrical distribution program, spearheading TFC’s 2020 transition to virtual festivals, and served as the editor of How Not to Sign a Film Contract: Know What You’re Saying Yes To. She recently joined the Board of Directors of the Film Festival Alliance, and is the co-founder of The Popcorn List: Pop Up Series. She was the founding Director of Operations for the diversity initiative the Jane Bolin Project and consulted on the joint USC/Shoah Foundation film-based project Teaching Genocide Through Media. Kathy has been working with TFC since 2013, and regularly speaks on panels and in classroom settings as to independent film distribution strategies, and in particular festival strategy. She earned her Bachelor’s in Critical Studies of Film and Italian from the University of Southern California, and her Master’s in Cinema Studies from New York University. Kathy splits her time between Los Angeles and Florence.

Annapurna Sriram

Annapurna Sriram grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and a lot of her early artistic influences were informed by the unchaperoned movie rentals she found at the local public library. Annapurna received a BFA in Acting from Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts and she spent many years working in New York both on stage and in television and film. Her most cherished previous work includes Jesse Eisenberg’s The Spoils, Wallace Shawn’s Evening at the Talkhouse, the television shows I Think You Should Leave and Billions and the feature film Feral. Fucktoys is her directorial debut which won Special Jury at SXSW and which she received an Independent Film Spirit Nomination for the Someone To Watch award.

Jillian Corsie

Jillian Corsie is a documentary editor and filmmaker drawn to character-driven stories with heart. She has edited seven feature documentaries, most recently Desert Angel, about the human toll of migration across the US/Mexico border, which won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Austin Film Festival.

As a director, Corsie is committed to films with social impact. Her debut feature Trichster sheds light on trichotillomania, and Second Assault addresses the trauma of reporting sexual violence. Both are now used as educational tools on college campuses and in police training programs.
Her narrative debut, the horror short TOOTH, premiered at Slamdance and screened at nearly 40 festivals worldwide. A programmer for Salute Your Shorts and Slamdance, Corsie is now expanding into feature narrative filmmaking with her folk horror The Lambing, currently in development.

Astin Rocks.

Astin Rocks. currently serves as the Narrative Shorts Programmer at the Atlanta Film Festival. A long time resident teacher with Canton Young Filmmakers Workshop, she boasts 15 years in the film industry as an independent filmmaker, curator, multimedia artist and educator, working as close to home in Jackson, and as far as Beijing. When she’s not writing screenplays or judging films, Astin is coordinating underground concerts with her rock band, Thee BLK Pearl.

Nicole Riegel

Nicole Riegel is the Writer/Director of the critically acclaimed feature films, HOLLER (2021) and DANDELION (2024).  

Her debut film HOLLER was theatrically released nationwide by IFC Films in 2021. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and SXSW. Her second film DANDELION was also released theatrically nationwide in 2024 by IFC Films. In addition to writing and directing, she also co-wrote the film’s music with Oscar and Grammy winning musicians, Aaron & Bryce Dessner.

She received Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch Award, was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature, awarded Top 10 Films of the Year by the National Board of Review, and named as one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 Faces To Watch. Her work has been profiled in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Hollywood Reporter, The Los Angeles Times and Roger Ebert. She was recently invited to the 2026 Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for the Directing Branch. 

In features, she has written screenplays for Oscar winning actress, Anne Hathaway, Paramount, Michael Bay, Jerry Bruckheiner, Fox and Focus Features. In TV, she has drama series for HBO, Emmy winning actress, Julia Louise-Dreyfus, FX, and was a writer in Paramount’s GI Joe franchise writer’s room. She is currently writing a drama series for Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and working on her 3rd feature film.

Celeste Wong

Celeste Wong is a lifelong film and performing arts enthusiast based in Oakland. She has worked in programming for various film festivals nationwide, including Tribeca, SXSW, Palm Springs ShortFest, Atlanta Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, and San Francisco DocFest.

Barbara Hall

A lover of remarkable human stories and music Barb’s an Emmy nominated producer/director who brings more than 25+ years of experience in all aspects of development, producing and directing of original programming from both traditional television and the digital realm. As a producer, she has a solid foundation in Intellectual Property Rights and Clearances. As a director, she is passionate about authentic story telling and has secured multiple exclusive IP rights. She is the Producer/Director of award winning specials, series, long form documentary films, concerts and consults on a wide range of music related rights. Producers Guild of America, Guild of Music Supervisors & Documentary Producers Alliance Member.

Lesley Loski Chan

Lesley Loksi Chan is a filmmaker based in Canada. Her recent film Lloyd Wong, Unfinished premiered at the 75th Berlinale, where it won both the Golden Bear for Best Short Film and the Teddy Award for Best Short Film. Since then, it has screened around the world and received awards including the Best Film Prize at the Villa Medici Film Festival in Rome, Best National Short Film at the Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montréal, Best Edge Short Film at the Nashville Film Festival, and was selected as TIFF Canada’s Top Ten Short Films of 2025.

Sean Pecknold

Sean Pecknold is an award-winning animation filmmaker, director, writer, and educator whose work spans short films, music videos, and commercials for clients including Fleet Foxes, John Legend, Netflix, DreamWorks, Google, and The New York Times. Based in Los Angeles, he co-runs Sing-Sing with production designer Adi Goodrich, creating visually inventive films known for their tactile craft, imaginative world-building, and emotional storytelling. He has taught animation and filmmaking workshops internationally, including at CalArts, Otis College of Art and Design, and the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film.

His latest animated short, TENNIS, ORANGES, premiered at SXSW Film Festival and has since screened at more than 190 festivals worldwide, including Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Ottawa International Animation Festival, AFI Fest, SITGES, and Raindance, winning 52 awards and earning a place on the 2025 Oscar longlist.

His previous animated short, FEATHERWEIGHT, received a 2022 Annie Award nomination and was recognized by Cartoon Brew, Vimeo Staff Picks, Motionographer, Animation World Network, and Animation Magazine. He is currently directing an animated feature with the Oscar-winning production company Big Beach based on his original story.

Tony Bancroft

Tony Bancroft is a seasoned Director, Animator, and Podcaster with over 35 years of experience in the animation industry. He is known for his work at Disney, co-directing Disney’s Mulan and animating iconic characters like Pumbaa from The Lion King and Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove. Bancroft has also contributed to projects such as Sony’s Stuart Little 2, Warner Brother’s Space Jam: A New Legacy, and was the Head of Story/ Animation Director on the independent animated feature, The Light of the World coming to theatres this September 5th. He is currently the program director at Lipscomb University’s Animation Program and authored the acclaimed book, Directing for Animation. Alongside his twin brother, Tom, he hosts the Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast, the #1 podcast for animation on iTunes and co-founded Animation Y’all! Expo, the south’s first professional animation expo.

Chris Sonnenburg

Chris Sonnenburg is an Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, director, and animator with over three decades of experience in the animation industry, having worked on animated features films including Pocahontas, Mulan, Fantasia 2000, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Enchanted, but is best known as the creator and executive producer of Tangled: The Series for Disney Television Animation, where his expertise in story development, visual storytelling, and series showrunning produced emotionally resonant, family-focused content for global audiences. For the past four years he has called Nashville home, where he founded Emberscope Studios to create animation by artists from the American South and Middle Tennessee, growing the region’s talent base and giving local artists a path to work on major projects without leaving the South. He is a founding member of the Tennessee Animation Association and continues to develop original animated projects rooted in timeless values and an adventurous spirit.

Roman White

Roman White is an award-winning director, writer, and storyteller whose work blurs the line between cinematic spectacle and emotional intimacy.

With a career spanning feature films, television, and over 400 music videos, Roman has carved a niche for himself as a filmmaker who doesn’t just create visuals—he builds worlds.
Known for his signature blend of heart, humor, and visual imagination, Roman has directed for global icons like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Shakira, Colbie Caillat, and Kristin Chenoweth as well as original feature films for major studios and streamers like Disney and Netflix.

Along the way, his work has racked up billions of views, earned multiple MTV Music Video Awards, Emmys, CMT Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and various industry honors worldwide—but for Roman, the real win has always been creating stories that make people feel.

Whether he’s behind the camera or in the writer’s chair, Roman approaches every project with a director’s eye and a writer’s heart—crafting stories that are as rich in emotion as they are bold in vision.

From sweeping fantasy epics to grounded character-driven dramas, Roman’s work is united by one thing: his obsession with story. Stories that move. Stories that connect. Stories that stay with you.

At his core, Roman is still that wide-eyed kid who believed stories could change the world—or at least make you believe in it for a little while.

Jenny Nulf

Jenny Nulf currently works as the Theatrical Programs Manager at the American Genre Film Archive, a non-profit that focuses on film preservation. In her spare time, she also programs a monthly film series nationwide at Alamo Drafthouse called Sad Girl Cinema Club, a “safe space to sob on Sundays.”

In addition to her career as a distributor and programmer, she was nominated four years in a row as Best Film Critic in Austin by the Austin Chronicle. She is passionate about under-the-radar, diverse, and thought provoking cinema.

Ford Cowan

Ford Cowan is a writer/director from Columbus, OH, currently living in Los Angeles. He started his career at CAA and now works as a coordinator at a production company. His work has played at Sundance, Nashville Film Festival, and NFFTY. Ford is most interested in stories connected to themes of the blurring of time, finding presence despite suffering, and nostalgia.

Brian Loschiavo

Brian Loschiavo is a founding partner at Riverside Entertainment, a production company with offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, and New York that specializes in narrative, branded, and commercial content.

For Riverside, Brian has produced and directed two feature music documentaries: Bluebird, featuring Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, and Faith Hill, and Midland: The Sonic Ranch, which chronicles the origin story of the country band Midland. His unscripted producing credits also include Making Modern for Warner Bros. Discovery and Black Outside for Shout! Studios.

In scripted, Brian was an executive producer on the Lionsgate fllm Manodrome, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Adrien Brody, and a producer on Clean Hands, starring Zach Braff and Esther McGregor, which premiered at Tribeca in 2026. He also produced the independent TV pilot Whisper Sisters, starring Mae Whitman and Emily Meade, and has written several feature and television projects currently in development at Riverside.

Before co-founding Riverside, Brian lived in Los Angeles, working as a freelance screenwriter, songwriter, and director. As a senior producer for Disney/ABC Television Group, he helped create Nashville: On the Record, a successful music documentary franchise for ABC. His songwriting has been featured in global ad campaigns and on the hit series Nashville.

November Nolan

November Nolan is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker with a focus in documentary and queer narratives. Hailing from rural Kentucky, November draws from her experiences as a trans woman from the south to craft deeply personal stories, combining universal themes, such as loneliness and grief, with trans-specific experiences. November’s directorial debut, Everywhere I Look, made its world premiere at BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, and played at festivals including Palm Springs International ShortFest, Atlanta Film Festival, and Frameline Film Festival. She recently wrapped production on her first narrative short, Darla.

Jessie Breanne

Jessica Breanne is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter whose music blends Southern rock, Americana, folk, and psychedelic pop into a deeply personal and emotionally resonant sound. She first gained recognition as the front woman of The Electric Hearts before launching a solo career that highlights her storytelling and artistic versatility. Originally from Northeast Texas, right on the Louisiana border, Jessica draws deeply from the landscapes, culture, and characters of her upbringing, shaping the distinctive voice and Southern storytelling that define her music today. Her work is marked by introspective lyrics that explore themes of transformation, resilience, and identity. Known for her cinematic style, she crafts songs that balance raw vulnerability with bold sonic textures, creating music that feels both intimate and expansive. In October, she released her latest record, Electric Heart, and is currently at work on a new album. Beyond her music career, Jessica hosts the Little Joys Podcast, where she welcomes guests into conversation about finding joy in everyday life. Jessica is also the Theatre Operations Director and Education Associate at the Belcourt Theatre, where she has helped build community through film, education, and engagement since 2009. She is also a beekeeper and environmental activist focused on pollinator education and honeybee stewardship. 

Rahul Koul

Rahul Koul is an Indian American filmmaker exploring spirituality and cultural identity. His debut short, Yajñopavīta, written and directed with Ford Cowan, won the Sundance Institute and Adobe Ignite Fellowship, Best Tennessee Short at Nashville Film Festival, and Best Acting at NFFTY. A 2024 Vanderbilt alum based in Seattle, Koul draws from his South Asian heritage to craft meditative, poetic narratives.

Cade Featherstone

Cade Featherstone is a British filmmaker based in London. After studying illustration at Central Saint Martins, he worked as a graphic artist on films including ‘The Favourite’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts’, before earning an MFA in Filmmaking from NYU Tisch School of the Arts as a Willard T.C. Johnson Fellow. While at NYU, he received the Black Family Prize for his short film ‘Don’t You Dare Film Me Now’, which went on to screen at festivals around the world, including the Nashville Film Festival ’24 where it won the NextGen award. As a producer, his work has also screened at festivals including Venice and Palm Springs. He recently completed post-production on his upcoming short ‘Elephantine’ and the collective feature film ‘Illusions’, made in collaboration with seven other directors. He is currently developing his first solo feature alongside two television series.

Joanna Leeds

Writer. Actor. Director. From Florida, but tells people she’s from New York. Joanna won the Jury prize last year for best episodic and is delighted to sit on the jury this year. She is currently writing a romcom for Netflix and can be seen recurring on HBO’s “Rooster.” Joanna also casts and performs ADR voices in shows such as “The Studio,” “Nobody Wants This,” “The Hawk,” and many others.

Rosie Charset

With several years of experience in film festivals and event planning, Rosie began her career at the Frontières International Co-Production Market at Fantasia. During this time that she developed an interest in the entire film production cycle, from writing to distribution.

In 2020, she plunged into the world of short films with Kino Montréal, where she quickly built her network and established herself within the community. From 2022 to 2024, as Executive Director of Travelling—a short film distributor founded in 2007—Rosie actively contributed to the success and visibility of numerous films and their teams.

Since 2019, she has been co-organizing the SPASM Festival alongside Jarrett Mann. Currently, Rosie is contributing her expertise to Radio-Canada as an assistant to senior executives, a role that allows her to support the representation of Francophone communities across the country.

Michael Eames

Michael Eames is a trained composer, songwriter, and pianist who majored in music at Cornell University and completed the Certificate Program in Film Scoring at UCLA Extension; he also secured a minor in Business Management from Cornell.

As President of PEN Music Group, Inc. since its inception in 1994, Michael oversees all aspects of the operation. He serves (along with 4 other publishers and 5 songwriters) on the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee (UROC) of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) and is the current UROC chair. He also proudly serves on the Advisory Boards of Songwriters Of North America (SONA) and the Hawaii Songwriting Festival. He previously served as the National President of the Association Of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) from 2015-2018 and as its National Vice President from 2013-2014.

Michael wrote the music publishing section of the book entitled Five Star Music Makeover: The Independent Artist’s Guide for Singers, Songwriters, Bands, Producers and Self Publishers (2016) and is co-author (with Bobby Borg) of the book Introduction To Music Publishing For Musicians whose 2nd edition was released January 2025 and is already used in curriculums across the country. He is a frequent guest speaker in both real and virtual classrooms, festivals and panel discussions worldwide.

Alysa DiTuro

Alyssa Dituro serves as the Assistant Director of Partnerships at the National Museum of African American Music, where she leads the development and stewardship of relationships that advance the museum’s vision and programming. In this role, she builds dynamic collaborations with brands, cultural organizations, and community partners to elevate exhibitions, educational initiatives, and the museum’s national presence.

Karen Shayne

Karen Shayne is an award-winning producer, publisher, humanitarian, and advocate whose career is defined by purpose-driven leadership and impactful storytelling. Following a successful career in healthcare, her personal cancer journey inspired a transition into media and advocacy, leading her to produce award-winning healthcare programming for CBS and NBC affiliates.

Her work has been featured in People Magazine, HuffPost, AOL/Yahoo, Nashville Business Journal, and Healthline, among other national media outlets. She also hosted a health-focused radio program on the Salem Media Network.

In 2012, Karen founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting women affected by cancer. She later created/produced/directed Survivor Stories from the Stage, a national live production honoring cancer survivors and celebrating resilience through storytelling. Her advocacy efforts earned her the Small Business Council of America’s Humanitarian of the Year Award and recognition through a Georgia State Senate Resolution.

Karen is the founder and publisher of Unconditionally Her, a media platform dedicated to inspiring women to lead purpose-driven lives. In 2023, she launched Unconditionally Her Media, expanding into podcast and film production. Her documentary, My First Breath: The Story of Carl Gibson, received critical acclaim, and in 2025 she was honored with the Women in Film & Television Alice Spirit Award. She is currently collaborating with Fremantle Films on a National Geographic project scheduled for release in Fall 2026.

Mariah Kramer

Mariah Kramer is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Cinema and Media Arts at Vanderbilt University, with a passion for storytelling that stretches far beyond the classroom. A co-founder of UpTilt Film Fest, Mariah is also a proud board member, dedicated to supporting women’s voices in film. When she’s not teaching or giving back to the film community, she’s making her own mark as an independent filmmaker. She’s been fortunate to have her work screened at festivals across the country, from Bend Film Festival to Cucalorus Film Festival, with her short documentary This Is My Home Now even making its premiere on PBS and the World Channel.