James Kirby is an unapologetic award winning amateur filmmaker from Des Moines, IA., although he is currently working in San Diego, CA.

Kirby proudly acknowledges his directorial acumen to be on a sliding scale somewhere between Ed Wood and Akira Kurosawa. Bringing to bear decades of cinephilic experience and a degree in theatre arts, Kirby is earnestly seeking to improve with each project and to simply tell and watch interesting stories.

Mark Solomon is a producer of short films. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Mark currently resides in Denver, CO. Mark is also a business coach, public speaker and an aficionado of the silver screen. Mark knows what it takes to amuse an audience and how to spark their imagination. Storytelling is both art and science. When done correctly, you can entertain people, teach them a lesson or even inspire them to greatness.

Growing up in former Czechoslovakia, Petra was captivated by the whimsical and imaginative films of Jan Švankmajer and Karel Zeman. These cinematic gems, filled with surreal storytelling and fantastical visuals, sparked her lifelong love for creativity and wonder. Now, as the Executive Director at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in Kansas City, MO, she brings that sense of magic to life. Petra is passionate about cultural accessibility and community impact. Her journey includes roles as Director of National Development at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Curator at the Kennedy Museum of Art, and Director of Exhibitions at Ohio University's School of Art + Design. Petra also contributes as a Peer Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums and a Grant Reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Thom is film fanatic and award-winning filmmaker from Des Moines, Iowa. Thom was raised by Lucas, Spielberg, and Lynch and as teen he was regular at various Midwestern theaters and video stores (special shoutout to Showtime Video). He started making films on a Super 8 camera he picked up at a thrift store for $2 (finding film was not easy). He’s currently in the tech field and still writing.

Bruce Green is a Hollywood character actor. Film credits include the Coen brothers’ True Grit (2010).  Television credits include NBC's Parks and Recreation and The CW’s Supernatural.  He lives in Los Angeles.

Sean Pitterson, born in New York is now a dedicated college administrator based in San Diego, CA. His deep love for cinema and passion for viewing diverse films give Sean an appreciation for a wide range of filmmaking styles, thus recognizing the best and brightest in the art of filmmaking.

​Born in the Republic of Singapore, Jason Alberty now lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a Midwest town strangely packed with talented retired and once disillusioned creatives now creating theatre with what they want, when they want, and who they want. Jason is a freelance creative, theatrical director/producer, and professional actor in his 17th season with SPT’s The Writers’ Room series; an original sketch and music variety show producing five productions a year and sold out every night the Hawkeyes aren’t playing. He teaches writing and theatre arts at local colleges and watches short films just for the love of it.

Diana Budko was born in Russia, lived in England but now splits her time between New York and L.A. She is a trained actor and accomplished musician.