2026 Jury Members
Below are some of our treasured international jury members. They have committed numerous hours to our event
and we express our deepest gratitude to them.
Danica Lee Clauser
Danica is a New York-based actor and filmmaker, with credits that include the viral short film “Trick or Treat 2!” and the award-winning horror pilot “Inkblack,” where she earned “Best Actress” at the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival. She is the co-founder of Bare Bones Filmmakers, an indie arts collective dedicated to micro-budget independent film. Their work has shown across the country, including at Cinequest, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, and our very own New York and North Hollywood Cinefest, and can be viewed online through Film Shortage and Beyond the Short.
Denis Mityushev
Independent short filmmaker, serving on the jury with a focus on storytelling and cinematic execution.
Shamil Aliyev
Shamil Aliyev was born on June 26, 1960, in Baku, Azerbaijan. After graduating from
Azerbaijan State Institute of Culture in 1989, he had worked as film director in
“Azerbaijanfilm” film studio named after C. Cabbarly. His first feature film “Confession” was shot independently.
Monica Ravalico
Monica Ravalico was born in Trieste, (Italy, 1977). Graduate in Liiterature and cinema. Winner of some independent contests.
Opender Chanana
Author film maker whose feature length documentary LIVING ON THE EDGE-DEGLAMOURIZING BOLLYWOOD won 369 International Awards and accolades in 30 countries and 20 states in India