Judging Panel
Andrew Jackson
Actor & Voice Artist
Andrea Trentadue
TV Personality, CHIN
Christopher Lane
Founder, Klic Creative Solutions
Fatima Ptacek
Actress/Voice Actor
The talented actor, Andrew Jackson, loves to shock and surprise his audience with an ever expanding character range. He has worked extensively in Classical Theatre, Film, Television, Commercial Voice and Animation projects, such as: All My Children, Wind At My Back, Kyle XY, Twists of Terror and Sea Wolf. Andrew continues to feel inspired by the endless possibilities of great storytelling and prides himself in being a team player.
It was at a young age that Andrea discovered her love of writing that would become the precursor to her chosen career in Journalism. While studying at Humber College, Andrea volunteered as Producer and Reporter for segments of City Magazine and Plugged In!, a half hour program at Rogers Television. In 2000, Andrea joined CHIN Radio and Television, working many facets of the live show from Floor Director, Production Assistant, Segment Producer and finally, as co-host of the Johnny Lombardi show.
Christopher Lane is an award-winning Film and Television writer, director and producer. He is also an Author, Film Historian, Professor, and a former Film Production Program Coordinator. He now serves as a film and media curriculum developer for Yorkville University, as well as others educational institutions. In addition to his film and education work Christopher has regularly served as a distinguished judge at the Golden Panda International Film Festival and former Festival director and lead programmer for the TFSFF.
Fátima Ptacek is a film, television actress and model, and a human rights activist working with UN Women's #HeForShe
campaign for gender equality. She is best known as the lead actor in the 2012 Academy Award winning film Curfew and its 2014 full-length feature film version Before I Disappear. She has lent her voice as the lead role of "Dora" in Nickelodeon's animated television series Dora the Explorer since 2010 and Dora and Friends: Into the City! since 2014.
Frank Morrone
Emmy Winning Sound Mixer
Ellen Dubin
Actress & Voice Artist
Tom McCarthy
Oscar Winner
Maria Ricossa
Actress
Frank Morrone is a two time emmy winning Hollywood audio professional who has mixed sound for high profile television and movies including The Strain, LOST, Sleepy Hollow, The Kennedys, Copper, Boss, Ransom and Oscar winning When We Were Kings. He has worked with leading directors and producers including JJ Abrams, Guillermo del Toro, Gus Van Sant, Ron Howard, and Tim Burton.
Ellen Dubin has enjoyed a highly unique and diverse career as an actor. Her penchant for landing bizarre and fascinating roles has resulted in Ellen becoming a cult figure in the science fiction world. Ellen was nominated for a Gemini Award, has worked on several productions, including: The Collector, The Listener, Lexx, Dead Before Dawn, and she was in the multi award winning Sundance Film Festival favourite, Napoleon Dynamite.
Tom McCarthy is a sound editor. He won the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing during the 65th Academy Awards, winning for Bram Stoker's Dracula. His Oscar was shared with David Stone. His current position is Executive Vice President of Post-Production Facilities at Sony Pictures Studios. In 2016 he was elected as the new President for the Motion Picture Sound Editors.
Maria's professional life began in Chicago with The Second City. She then moved to Toronto where she joined The Stratford Festival Company. In Film & TV, Maria is known for her roles in The In-laws, playing the wife of Albert Brooks, Bojangles and The Space Between. She's had recurring roles in The Strain, Designated Survivor, Da Kink in my Hair & Missing. She is currently teaching screen acting at Humber College.
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Mark Lanza
Sound Supervisor/President of MPSE
Nicole Servinis
TV Host & Producer
Mark Lanza has been crafting sound for top movies and television for years. His first job in the industry was working for Oliver Stone. Some of his credits include Independence Day, True Lies, Natural Born Killers, JFK (for which he won a BAFTA), Homeland, Empire, and Electric Dreams.
He has over 30 Golden Reel nominations to his name. Mark is currently working at Sony Pictures where he creates sound for TV’s top network and streaming shows. He is a past Vice-President of the Motion Picture Sound Editors.
Nicole currently works as a producer at Entertainment Tonight Canada. She is a lover of all things style and works on the fashion/beauty beat, as well as branded integrations. She contributed to massive campaigns and has interviewed A-list celebs including Natalie Portman, Rita Ora and Meghan Markle. Nicole has also covered Toronto Fashion Week, and has gone backstage to interview the angels at the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris.