Shawna is a filmmaker from Los Angeles, California, and has edited feature films, documentaries, and doc-drama series. She studied film at San Diego State University, and received her Bachelor degree from the school of Theatre, Television and Film. During her studies, she discovered the art of film editing, and the college radio station, where she became a DJ, and soon immersed herself in both music and film. As a storyteller, Shawna compares the rhythm of editing to music, — the cadence, the complexities, and the disciplines of the unknown. There is truth in every frame.
Shawna is currently editing a feature documentary titled Another Take. This film follows six women and non-binary directors, as they each navigate making a feature film in different parts of the world.

Jordan is an American actor, best known as Frankie Rizzoli on Rizzoli & Isles (2010-2016) and most recently in The Old Man, (2022) and Law and Order: Organized Crime, (2022).

Jordan was born in Los Angeles County, California, and is the son of actor Beau Bridges and Julie Bridges. He is the nephew of Jeff Bridges and the grandson of Lloyd Bridges and Dorothy Bridges. 

As a child actor, he acted in two television films: The Kid from Nowhere, directed by his father, and The Thanksgiving Promise, starring the entire Bridges family. However, he chose not to continue working as a child actor, so he could be just a “regular kid”.

Jordan attended the progressive Oakwood school with a strong emphasis on the arts, which got him interested in acting. He ultimately pursued a theater major/literature minor at New York's Bard College.

Before earning his bachelor's degree, Jordan spent his junior year in England studying at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, staying at a tiny basement flat in Chelsea, living on chicken soup and attending West End theater productions on free passes.

Classically trained, he became a "cater waiter" in New York and Los Angeles for a couple of years each, before he started getting numerous roles in television and film.

Josh discovered his passion for drums at the age of five under the guidance of the renowned studio/touring drummer Kenny Aronoff in the family barn. Ten years of both drum and piano lessons followed. After attending Berklee School of Music, he came to NYC to study percussion with Miles Davis' drummer Mino Cinelu and Kenwood Dennard of Sting's band. He has been performing in rock, jazz, and acoustic groups in New York City for the past 25 years as a drummer, guitarist, keyboardist and singer. Josh has also worked as a live television producer for the Jonas Brothers, Anna Nalick, and Josh Groban amongst others. Josh is also a BMI composer, working for ABC News, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and NBC Sports. Billboard Magazine, NewSong and the New York Songwriter's Circle have lauded his songwriting skills. Josh has performed, produced and recorded with Joan Osborne, Peter Brown, Tracy Bonham, Matilda Marigolds, Late Night Thoughts and many others.

Currently, he sits on the board as the live music consultant for the non-profit organization Kids Rock For Kids, and lives in Boerum Hill with his wife Aimee Good and daughter Matilda.

HEAD OF JURY

Phoebe is a visual artist, performer/improvisor who studies at the world-renowned Groundlings Theatre/ School and has written and performed sketch comedy and appeared in a variety of short and feature films. www.phoebesarason.net

Tiffany is a producer, activist, humanitarian and founder of Tiffany Casting Company, a leader in the commercial casting field. www.tiffanycompanycasting.com

Tyler started as a child actor at 8, and has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. After working in film development at Paramount Pictures, Tyler currently works at Netflix in feature animation. IMDB

Zach is an actor/director and a longtime Topanga resident. Most recent Tv/film credits include Magnum P.I., Happy Endings, It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia, Santa Clarita Diet, Parenthood amongst others. Zach is honored to be serving on the jury for TIFF his 2nd year in a row.

Ravit is an award-winning filmmaker. Recent feature documentaries include “Nina is an Athlete” and “American Pot Story: Oaksterdam”. She co-directed the latter with spouse Dan Katzir, and it won 50 international awards in dozens of film festivals including the Luna Spirit Award at Topanga Film Festival 2023, which she holds very dear to her heart. For more info: www.NewLoveFilms.com (http://www.newlovefilms.com/)

 FB/IG: @RavitMarkus