Film Career Day 2021

Vivian Hua 華婷婷 is a writer, filmmaker, and organizer. As the Executive Director of Northwest Film Forum in Seattle and Editor-in-Chief of the interdisciplinary arts publication, REDEFINE, much of their work unifies her metaphysical interests with her belief that art can positively transform the self and society. They regularly shareshuman-centered stories through her storytelling newsletter, RAMBLIN’ WITH VEE! In 2021, she will begin production on a BIPOC metaphysical comic series entitled Reckless Spirits. Learn more about their work at vivianhua.com.

Moderator - THE PAPER TIGERS Keynote

Mentored early on by master action director Corey Yuen, Bao was instilled with an approach to action that doesn’t rely solely on spectacle, but also draws on story and character. Screen Anarchy praised his written-and-directed short BOOKIE for its “flawlessly realized world populated by entirely fleshed out and believable characters, driven by a compelling narrative and brought to sumptuous life.” His editing credits include CHO LON, one of Southeast Asia’s highest-budgeted action blockbusters, and JACKPOT, a heartfelt comedy selected as Vietnam’s official entry to the 2016 Oscars for Best Foreign Film. His first directorial feature THE PAPER TIGERS garnered praise from Collider as “an impressive feature debut with confident command of the narrative and action alike, it’s an absolutely lovely time at the movies.” Rotten Tomatoes ranked it both as the #1 Action Comedy of all time and one of the Top Ten Asian American Movies of all time with a Certified Fresh rating.

Panelist - THE PAPER TIGERS Keynote

Thrust into drama at twelve by a copy of Unabridged Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Dan’s life has been motivated by storytelling. Moving to Seattle in the 90’s to focus on writing he fell into the world of fringe theatre. The Balkan conflict called next and Dan went to investigate and document the war returning to Portland Oregon with a focus on film. In 2007 he directed and produced his first feature Cthulhu, winning ‘best of festival’ at the Eerie and H.P. Lovecraft Film Festivals, earning Dan a nomination for The Stranger’s Genius Award. 2014 marked a return to theatre, directing and starring in the play Whackjob. 2021 saw the release of The Paper Tigers, a Kung Fu comedy Dan helped produced over a five year period –currently 98% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Dan continues to utilize his deep experience to tell the stories that make us human.

Panelist - THE PAPER TIGERS Keynote

Al’n is a Seattle based producer & consultant working in the film and gaming industry, currently developing documentary films in the worlds of politics, fashion, and professional sports. He harbored great passion for martial arts films and NBA basketball from a young age. After reaching the staggering height of 5 foot 7 inches, Al’n put all his energy into making backyard Kung Fu films in high school using home video cameras. He continued his education in Seattle at the University of Washington, focusing on postmodern cinema and martial arts films. Having started out in the camera department before transitioning to producing, Al’n brings a holistic knowledge in creative problem-solving and film set management – ensuring a productive, positive, and safe environment.

Panelist - THE PAPER TIGERS Keynote

Elle Vonada is a passionate arts student at Gage Academy of Art. She is a social justice advocate and published writer. She has created films with The Northwest Film Forum and SIFF, and in addition, participated in many youth film camps. She spends her free time drawing, painting, writing, and playing with her dog, Nessie. She is excited to be working with TeenTix this year and have the opportunity to widen accessibility to the arts for more people. She believes that a career in film should be attainable to everyone, regardless of race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Moderator - Where’s the Work?

Raven Two Feathers (Cherokee, Seneca, Cayuga, Comanche) (he/they) is a Two Spirit, Emmy award winning creator based in Seattle, WA. Originally from New Mexico, they spent their childhood moving and exploring Indigenous cultures across the continent and Pacific. They returned to New Mexico to attend Santa Fe University of Art & Design, graduating magna cum laude with a BFA in Film Production. They recently released a comic-based zine, “Qualifications of Being,” about their journey of realizing they are trans and Two Spirit. They grow and explore their practice through the people they meet, and the stories that guide them.

Panelist - Where’s the Work?

Zia Mohajerjasbi is an Iranian-American filmmaker hailing from Seattle, a city that has served as the primary focus of his work. He has shot & directed acclaimed music videos for Macklemore, Blue Scholars, Jake One and Common Market, as well as a 2007 mockumentary short with standup comedian Hari Kondabolu, "Manoj." In 2009, Zia became the youngest winner ever of the “Genius Award,” presented by The Stranger, a Seattle weekly. In 2015, he wrote and directed the award-winning narrative short "Hagereseb," and is also the cinematographer and director of an ongoing storytelling series, "The Charcoal Sky." Zia is currently in post-production on his first feature film, "Know Your Place," which he wrote, directed, and co-produced on location in Seattle in the Fall of 2018.

Panelist - Where’s The Work?

Clyde Petersen (they/he) is a transgender Northwest artist, working in film, animation, music, installation, and fabulous spectacle. He is the director of Torrey Pines, a stop-motion animated feature film. Clyde is currently working on two new feature films, Even Hell has its Heroes, and Our Forbidden Country. www.clydepetersen.com

Panelist - Where’s the Work?

Isabella L. Price is a filmmaker, writer, podcaster, host, performer and youtuber from the PNW. She has worked on CUT’s 100 Years of Beauty series, produced a horror film burlesque live show called Nocturnal Emissions, and directed a virtual national run of Mae West’s play SEX in 2020. Currently she works with Langston Seattle, as the Film Programs Manager curating their Fade to Black series, focused on Black filmmakers and the Black image in media and as the Seattle Black Film Festival Programs Manager.

Panelist - Where’s the Work?

Kyle Gerstel is a 14-year-old theatre geek and film buff who couldn’t be happier to have found TeenTix in 2020. He's currently directing The Laramie Project and assistant directing a local production of Metamorphoses. When not in rehearsal, you can find him writing, rewatching Love Actually, and/or obsessing over Bo Burnham. He is fascinated by the pandemic's impact on content creation and is excited to discuss how it has inspired the NFFTY filmmakers!

Moderator - What Streams May Come

Social Impact by day and Content Creator by night Cassandra Reyna has been in the video game industry for 10+ Years. It was while creating Twitch content that she found her love for social impact and continues to work towards making a difference wherever she can.

Panelist - What Streams May Come

Claire Buss is a writer and director who has created original series and digital content for Showtime, Snapchat, Netflix Film Club, Sony Music and more. She is the head writer and host of The Future is 0, a live game show series that was recognized as a finalist for the NYTVF truTV Comedy Breakout Initiative. Claire won the Seattle Story Award through VisitSeattle in 2018 and her short film, "I'm Sorry Happy Birthday", premiered on closing night of the LA Film Festival. She is the co-founder of the art collective Weird Dog Productions, and she currently works as the Director of Development at Cut.com.

Panelist - What Streams May Come

Co-Founder of the influential website Short of the Week, for 13 years Jason Sondhi has curated shorts for international audiences on the web— via S/W, and as Vimeo’s Lead Curator from 2011-2016. S/W recently welcomed Oscar-winning producer Michael Sugar, Cary Fukunaga & David Gordon Green as minority investors, and partnered with Netflix on a first-look deal, as the company seeks to grow its mission to provide audience and opportunities to the next generation of innovative visual storytellers.

Panelist - What Streams May Come

Lily (she/her) is a community-engaged artist and creative business consultant who combines storytelling, social justice, and bold fundraising strategies. Raabe holds her M.A. from New York University and her B.A. from University of Portland. She is the Founder and Co-Director of the Live Aloha Art Festival in Hilo, HI. Beyond her own artistic work, she has nearly 20 years experience as a Teaching Artist and over 6 years experience as an arts administrator.

Panelist - What Streams May Come

Ricky Graboski’s personal and professional history are intertwined with America’s underground DIY scene. He currently serves as Executive Director of The Vera Project, an all-ages music venue, arts incubator, and community center in Seattle. Before Vera, Ricky coordinated grassroots initiatives in Detroit, worked in musician engagement in New York, and ran a national community organizing training center based in Houston. During that time, he also played in terrible punk bands and volunteered at influential DIY spaces Death by Audio and Shea Stadium in Brooklyn. At Vera, Ricky has dedicated his time to advocating for the DIY scene and community-centered cultural spaces, building all-ages programming at the intersection of art and activism.

Panelist - What Streams May Come