Past & Present
JULIE CHRISTEAS
FILM COMPETITION JUDGE
Julie Christeas is the founder and CEO of Tandem Pictures, since 2010. Her recent films include, THE SURROGATE (SXSW 2020) and BLACK BEAR (Sundance 2020) starring Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon. She also executive produced the cult horror favorite THE EYES OF MY MOTHER (Sundance 2016/Magnet Releasing), MONOGAMY (Best NY Narrative, Tribeca Film Festival 2010), the feature doc DUKALE'S DREAM starring Hugh Jackman, and GHOST TEAM starring Jon Heder, David Krumholtz, Justin Long, Amy Sedaris and Melonie Diaz. Previously she produced BLOOD STRIPE (Jury Prize for Best Narrative Film, LA Film Festival 2016), WILDLIKE starring Bruce Greenwood and Brian Geraghty (HIFF), and THE SLEEPWALKER starring Christopher Abbott and Brady Corbet (Sundance 2014/IFC). Julie also produces original short-form content for some of the biggest brands in the world -- Amazon, Chase Bank, Ford Motors, Netflix, Cadillac and many more. Before Tandem, Julie was EVP across production and development at Renart Films.
EVA LIPMAN
FILM COMPETITION JUDGE
Eva Lipman is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and produces creative content for film, television and live events. She produced HBO's JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY, Academy Award nominee and winner of the 2016 Sundance Audience Award and the 2016 Primetime Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking. Other recent credits include Netflix's DEVIL AT THE CROSSROADS, Netflix's WHO KILLED JAM MASTER JAY and HBO’s BECOMING WARREN BUFFETT. She began her career in broadcast journalism with CNN and the Canadian Television Network (CTV) and participated in coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
Colleen Labella
SCREENWRITING JUDGE
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Colleen Labella serves as the Director of Development at Shoot to Midnight, Leslye Headland's production company. Notably, Shoot to Midnight is the creative force behind the Emmy award-winning Netflix show, "RUSSIAN DOLL," which recently celebrated its Season 2 Premiere.
In addition to her role in overseeing the development at Shoot to Midnight, Colleen is actively involved as a producer for the upcoming Freeform series, "SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE." Her diverse portfolio includes the highly anticipated "STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE" series, currently in development.
Colleen is also at the helm of various projects, such as "MILK FED," an adaptation of the eponymous book, an untitled comedy series for FX, Catya McMullen's feature film "GEORGIA MERTCHING IS DEAD," and several other series, all falling under Headland's comprehensive deal with 20th Century Fox.
Beyond her impressive work in development, Colleen brings a wealth of experience in directing theatre. Her passion lies in fostering queer and female-centric storytelling, making her a dynamic force in the entertainment industry.
TRACY KOPULSKY
SCREENWRITING JUDGE
Tracy Kopulsky is a literary manager at Grandview. A native Angeleno, Tracy started her career at William Morris Endeavor after graduating from the Radio/TV/Film program at Northwestern University. From WME, she went on to work at MXN Entertainment where she became a manager and fell in love with fostering the careers of singular voices. Tracy continues to work with filmmakers and writers in both TV and film, with a particular emphasis on elevated genre and smart, edgy comedy.
AUDREY KNOX
SCREENWRITING JUDGE
Audrey Knox is a TV literary manager at Cartel Entertainment, a premier full-service management and production company with clients on shows including the Emmy-nominated It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Golden Globe-winning Californication, The Vampire Diaries, Bones, Lucifer, Happy!, Black Lightning, Star Trek: Discovery and more.
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MARGARITA MUROLO
FILM COMPETITION JUDGE
Margarita Murolo graduated in London where she first approached the film industry working as Livia and Colin Firth’s PA. She later joined the European Publicity department at Warner Bros. to then move on to production following various projects within different companies (Keitai, Mediaset). In 2012 she moved back to Rome and joined Palomar where she worked as a producer curating a number of projects including PIRANHAS (2019, the
Berlinale), MALTESE (2017, C21 finalist), BRACCIALETTI SILVER BEAR for Best Screenplay at 69 Rossi (2014/2016, Emmy kids award nominee), and more. In 2019 she left
Palomar to found Halong films.
ALISON MANN
ANIMATION JUDGE
ALISON MANN is a Producer and Creative Strategist. In her role, she helps develop projects and talent for feature film, international and series-based projects, collaborating with key creatives within the animation and live-action industry.
As an artist, Mann always knew she wanted to work in animation. She began her career at Nickelodeon as a finance department intern while attending Columbia College in Chicago. After graduating, she was offered the amazing opportunity to continue working with Nickelodeon/MTV as their recruiter/coordinator of talent relations. Through her 20 years in the industry, she gained experience in TV, film and gaming while working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Zynga, Disney Interactive, Paramount Pictures Animation, and Illumination Entertainment. Mann is the co-founder and CEO of the BRIC Foundation, an organization set up to solve how to create new access points for women and people from underrepresented groups so they can excel at creative leadership and to enable culture change through engaging and empowering talent. As creative and supporter of talent, Mann is passionate about storytelling and identifying and working with inspiring creators that can continue to elevate the animation industry.
MONICA LAGO-KAYTIS
ANIMATION JUDGE
Is a Latin-American producer. Born in Hollywood, Monica Lago-Kaytis joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1994 for the film POCAHONTAS and continued to work in a wide variety of production roles on traditional, CG and stereoscopic animated films including HERCULES, MEET THE ROBINSONS and THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG.
Monica served as Associate Producer on WRECK-IT RALPH and ZOOTOPIA then made her live-action debut with Netflix’s THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES. Her talent for casting put Kurt Russell at the top of the list for his now iconic performance as Santa Claus.
Monica is a co-founder of the non-profit organization Rise Up Animation, which was created as a response to social injustice and inequity. Rise Up Animation provides feedback and guidance for BIPOC individuals around the world who are interested in working in all areas of the animation industry.
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HALLE MARINER
SCREENWRITING JUDGE
Hailes from the mid-west and graduated from Columbia College Chicago in the film business before moving out to LA. Previously, she worked in film sales for Shoreline Entertainment and Preferred Content. Now, Halle works at APA Talent Agency where she was recently promoted to Agent in the Motion Picture Literary Department. Her goal is to advocate for writers and directors who are underrepresented in the film world.
DIANA OSSANA
SCREENWRITING JUDGE
Diana Ossana, the first-generation daughter of an Italian immigrant, was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico with a double major in English/Political Science. She has published several short stories and numerous essays. In 1992, at Larry McMurtry's request, she left a twenty-year career in law to begin their writing collaboration, which continues to this day. Their collective works include two novels, Pretty Boy Floyd and Zeke And Ned, many essays, as well as over forty feature film scripts. They were writers and executive producers on four award-winning miniseries: “Streets of Laredo” and "Comanche Moon" for CBS; “Dead Man's Walk” for ABC; and “Johnson County War” for Hallmark. Diana served as on-set producer on all four miniseries. She is an active member of the WGA and the PGA. Diana and Larry received the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for Brokeback Mountain directed by Ang Lee (adapted from a short story by Annie Proulx). In addition to co-writing Brokeback Mountain, Diana was the first-position on-set producer as well as performing on-set writing duties, joining cast and crew during all filming on location in and around Calgary, Alberta. Diana was nominated for a second Academy Award as producer for Brokeback Mountain; has been awarded two Golden Globes; two BAFTA awards; the WGA Award; the PGA Award for Theatrical Motion Picture; an Independent Spirit Award; an AFI Ten Best Movies of 2005 award, and many more. She has served on numerous film nominating committees/juries: Film Independent and the American Film Institute’s annual selection of the Ten Best Films of the Year for 2006, 2007, and 2011. Diana has taught Screenwriting and Writing Historical Fiction at the University of Iowa and has served as a graduate program screenwriting lecturer at Harvard University. She and Larry are developing three one-hour TV pilot scripts for series, and Diana has recently adapted the book HOPE'S WISH into a feature screenplay. Diana and Larry are developing his novels “The Berrybender Narratives” for a cable series. Diana is active in animal rescue; she has raised her two children and four foster children; and she currently lives with her three dogs and Larry and Faye McMurtry (the former Mrs. Ken Kesey). Diana, Larry and Faye live in Archer City, Texas and divide their time among Arizona, Oregon and Rhode Island.
HELEN HUANG
NARRATIVE FILM JUDGE
Helen started her career in the Motion Pictures (Books) department at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), worked extensively in Chinese/Hollywood co-productions under director Renny Harlin (DIE HARD 2, DEEP BLUE SEA), and recently spearheaded film and TV development at Globalgate Entertainment, developing content for 11+ territories including Hollywood, Asia, Europe, LATAM, and more.
Helen specializes in adaptations and sourcing IP with unique international synergies and global appeal. Currently as B&C Content’s Director of Development, Helen focuses on scouting IP, developing, packaging, and producing premium Korean/Hollywood crossover content for global markets.