Judges 2024 | SCIFF

JUDGES OF 2024

Our Film Festival Judging Process in 3 Rounds

We have three rounds of judging for each film submission. Each film is viewed and scored by our judges. Furthermore, each judge is blind to the other judges ratings in the first round. The overall score is an average score of a 1-10 star system. The top 33% of films from the first round advance to the 2nd round. The 2nd round is a technical evaluation of the film. The 3rd round where the judges reach a consensus about which films will screen.

Joy Parris

Joy Parris is a talent manager and film producer, renowned for her pivotal role as the founder and driving force behind Rich Girl Productions. With a career that spans over two decades, Joy is known for her dedication, innovative vision, and exceptional ability to nurture and elevate talent.

John Castellanos

John Castellanos has extensive experience in theatre, television, script writing and in producing films. His varied life experiences are the inspiration for many current and future projects.

Gabriel Carmona

CARMONA GEMINI is a self taught independent award winning filmaker. With over 23
films,shorts,and documentaries to his credit. He writes,directs and acts among other things. He made us film debut in the 2012 film Machete directed by his mentor Robert Rodriguez.It was there on set that another mentor of his Danny Trejo offered him life changing advice “do your own thing.

Frank Alli

As a TV News Video journalist, I have shot and edited broadcast television news and sports in the LA news market for the past twenty-four years. My past experience includes the shooting and non- linear editing of breaking news, the shooting and editing of feature entertainment and news assignments, coverage of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant

Danny Farias

Singer-songwriter-actor Danny Farias’ heartfelt music style is uplifting and inspiring. Daniel has been in movies such as the “Gambler V: Playing For Keeps” and in short films such as “The Ravens Claw” and a TX DOT Documentary “The Best People and Places in Texas” and recently was invited to be in the “Palomino Fest Parade” which he performed “Uvald Strong”.

Daniel M. Borunda

Daniel m. Borunda, writer and producer of “when the angels dance,” and executive producer of the borunda media group, has been enamored with plays and films since childhood, when he produced his first puppet show at eleven. He has followed his childhood passion through his film and television productioneducation at loyol a marymount university in los angeles, and was selected into ucla’scoveted master of fine arts program, where he earned the highest grade possible for hisgritty short film

Brandy Lopez

San Antonio native, Brandy Lopez, stands at the forefront of the Latino entertainment industry, as the Executive Producer and Host of the extremely popular program, Latin Fusion TV.
Latin Fusion TV reaches thousands of viewers each week, delivering artist interviews, entertainment news, information and heartwarming human interest stories to a worldwide audience.

Brandon Olmos

Brandon Lee Keropian has over 30 years of experience in the world of Television, film and music. As a son to Edward James Olmos, Brandon began as an intern with Olmos Productions / ABC Disney. As a post audio supervisor, sound engineer and mixer Brandon has over 40 film and TV credits, composed music for over 15 films, over 100 songs.

Andrew Menjivar

Andrew Menjivar is a media professional having worked in radio and film for over a decade. His work can be seen extensively across KHTS Radio’s various channels. He has extensive voice over experience, voicing dozens of radio commercials and hosting a morning show. His voice work includes producing radio spots for the San Diego Zoo and College of the Canyons. He recently released his directorial-debut feature documentary Driven: The Tony Pearson Story (2023) on digital platforms followed by the independent film This Sucks (2024) as a producer on Tubi.

Aaron Davis

Aaron Davis is the creative force behind Aaron Davis Graphic Design Studio, in Calabasas, California, which has a Hollywood niche specializing in Entertainment Pitch Decks for films and TV series. Aaron helps storytellers bring their visions to life with compelling visuals and well-written content.

Cristina Nava

She was born, raised, and currently lives in Los Angeles, California, She is an award-winning WGA screenwriter, award-winning director and a veteran producer of independent film and television content.

Her directorial debut, the feature film “Free Lunch” has been winning Best Feature and Best Director at festivals.

Jack Perry

Jack Perry is an actor, writer, and producer based in Los Angeles. His upcoming acting projects include a role in Ryan Murphy’s *Monster(s)* series and the feature film *The Mattachine Family* (2024). Jack is the writer, producer, and star of the digital series *Piano Lessons*, inspired by his experiences as a piano teacher. In addition to teaching piano, he is an instructor at the acclaimed acting studio Margie Haber Studio. You can find Jack on the Insta- @jackjohnperry

Nancy De Los Santos Reza

Writer/Producer Nancy De Los Santos began her career in Chicago as Producer of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel’s PBS film review program Sneak Previews. She joined the film critics when they took the show to commercial television. Under her tutelage, At The Movies was nominated for two national Emmy Awards. She also produced a number of entertainment documentaries for the ABC Chicago O&O, hosted by Mr. Ebert including Carnival At Cannes, Riviera Rendezvous, and Ebert’s Oscar Deadline.

Panchito Gomez

Born in 1963, Panchito Gomez began his acting career at the Age of five landed the role of Antonio opposite the great Raul Julia in the 1971 through 72 season of the iconic institution Sesame Street being the first and only child actor to be credited as a character to this date.

William Fix

William Fix is the owner and founder of Agua Dulce Movie Ranch, a property management company that specializes in the Film Industry. William has worked on more than 4,000 films and television projects since 1988, including Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds”, Martin Scorcese’s “The Aviator”, Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood,” Oliver Stone’s “Savages”, and Jordan Peele’s “Nope” to name a few. He is a native of Agua Dulce and his family has lived in Santa Clarita for almost 100 years.