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Judges

The Judges of the 72 Hour Shootout 

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MARCI PHILLIPS, Vice President of Casting for ABC Entertainment   
                 Marci is the NY VP of Casting for ABC Entertainment covering the entire East Coast (and beyond) acting pool for the ABC Television Network. For over 25 years she has cast for ABC pilots, new series regulars, recurring roles and numerous guest star roles.  Marci has been heavily involved in finding (and in many cases mentoring) the talent for the Disney Discovers Talent NY Showcase since its inception in 2000. This illustrious roster of stars includes Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman, Gina Rodriguez, Pedro Pascal, Jesse Williams, Jermaine Fowler and a multitude of others too numerous to mention.  She has coached and taught actors for decades and previously worked as a Casting Assistant for MGM Studios. Marci cast the independent film “Let It Snow”, which was featured at the Sundance Film Festival. She has also co-produced and cast two off-off Broadway plays and is the author of the book “The Present Actor – A Practical and Spiritual Guideline to Help You Enjoy the Ride”.  Her life experience in this business actually outweighs her professional experience…. but that’s too long a story for this Bio! 



JANDIZ ESTRADA CARDOSO, Director of the Sundance Institute Episodic Program
Jandiz Estrada Cardoso
is the director of the Sundance Institute Episodic Program, which incubates original pilots from emerging writers and facilitates direct introductions and relationship with the Television industry Previously, the Sr. Director of Global Talent Development & Inclusion division for film, tv, and streaming at NBCUniversal. Working directly with the development and programming teams for scripted and alternative, she scouted and designed creative pipelines for emerging writers, directors, actors and comedians for immediate hire. As an executive producer, Jandiz spearheaded countless events including the bicoastal NBCUniversal Short Film Festival, The YATU SABES MONOLOGUE SLAM, and the national search and tour of StandUp NBC awarding talent holding deals to their champions. In her freelance career, she has worked with over a dozen features for studios including Disney, Warner Brothers, Working Title, Paramount, Universal, New Line Cinema, and Screen Gems and over 2 dozen pilots and series with networks including AMC, ABC, CBS, Starz, Spike TV, MTVand very proudly on NBC’s Emmy Award winning series, 30 ROCK. She is a member of Casting Society of America, Hollywood Radio & Television Society, voting member of the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences, and newest board member for LA?s acclaimed The Groundlings Theatre. As an instructor, she has led master classes across the US and Brazil and was voted Backstage Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award for Audition Coach of the Year. She is a recent recipient of the Golden Eagle Award for Diversity Impact in Television.
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ANTONY WONG, Program Coordinator, Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), The City University of New York (CUNY)
Antony
is the Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of The City University of New York (CUNY), where he’s responsible for the planning and production of programs, activities, and publications. Antony also supervises AAARI’s annual CUNY Asian American Film Festival (CUNY AAFF), a contest for undergraduate and graduate students, Asian and non-Asian, enrolled at CUNY, in the categories of fiction or documentary film. He has previously served as a judge for the Asian American Film Lab’s 72Hour Film Shootout (2009, 2016-2023).
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DANIEL SAKAYA, President of CrossingsTV
Daniel currently serves as the President/COO of Crossings TV. With a background in marketing strategy, business development, and entrepreneurship, his experiences include various start-up launches, corporate re-structuring initiatives, partnership management and development, and brand equity and awareness building through both strategic and grassroots approaches. Mr. Sakaya is a graduate from the University of Florida and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

Judge Alums

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MARCI PHILLIPS, Vice President of Casting for ABC Entertainment   
                 Marci is the NY VP of Casting for ABC Entertainment covering the entire East Coast (and beyond) acting pool for the ABC Television Network. For over 25 years she has cast for ABC pilots, new series regulars, recurring roles and numerous guest star roles.  Marci has been heavily involved in finding (and in many cases mentoring) the talent for the Disney Discovers Talent NY Showcase since its inception in 2000. This illustrious roster of stars includes Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman, Gina Rodriguez, Pedro Pascal, Jesse Williams, Jermaine Fowler and a multitude of others too numerous to mention.  She has coached and taught actors for decades and previously worked as a Casting Assistant for MGM Studios. Marci cast the independent film “Let It Snow”, which was featured at the Sundance Film Festival. She has also co-produced and cast two off-off Broadway plays and is the author of the book “The Present Actor – A Practical and Spiritual Guideline to Help You Enjoy the Ride”.  Her life experience in this business actually outweighs her professional experience…. but that’s too long a story for this Bio! 



JANDIZ ESTRADA CARDOSO, Director of the Sundance Institute Episodic Program
Jandiz Estrada Cardoso
is the newest director of the Sundance Institute Episodic Program, which incubates original pilots from emerging writers and facilitates direct introductions and relationship with the Television industry Previously, the Sr. Director of Global Talent Development & Inclusion division for film, tv, and streaming at NBCUniversal. Working directly with the development and programming teams for scripted and alternative, she scouted and designed creative pipelines for emerging writers, directors, actors and comedians for immediate hire. As an executive producer, Jandiz spearheaded countless events including the bicoastal NBCUniversal Short Film Festival, The YATU SABES MONOLOGUE SLAM, and the national search and tour of StandUp NBC awarding talent holding deals to their champions. In her freelance career, she has worked with over a dozen features for studios including Disney, Warner Brothers, Working Title, Paramount, Universal, New Line Cinema, and Screen Gems and over 2 dozen pilots and series with networks including AMC, ABC, CBS, Starz, Spike TV, MTVand very proudly on NBC’s Emmy Award winning series, 30 ROCK. She is a member of Casting Society of America, Hollywood Radio & Television Society, voting member of the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences, and newest board member for LA?s acclaimed The Groundlings Theatre. As an instructor, she has led master classes across the US and Brazil and was voted Backstage Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award for Audition Coach of the Year. She is a recent recipient of the Golden Eagle Award for Diversity Impact in Television.
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ANTONY WONG, Program Coordinator, Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), The City University of New York (CUNY)
Antony
is the Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of The City University of New York (CUNY), where he’s responsible for the planning and production of programs, activities, and publications. Antony also supervises AAARI’s annual CUNY Asian American Film Festival (CUNY AAFF), a contest for undergraduate and graduate students, Asian and non-Asian, enrolled at CUNY, in the categories of fiction or documentary film. He has previously served as a judge for the Asian American Film Lab’s 72Hour Film Shootout (2009, 2016-2021).
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DANIEL SAKAYA, President of CrossingsTV
Daniel currently serves as the President/COO of Crossings TV. With a background in marketing strategy, business development, and entrepreneurship, his experiences include various start-up launches, corporate re-structuring initiatives, partnership management and development, and brand equity and awareness building through both strategic and grassroots approaches. Mr. Sakaya is a graduate from the University of Florida and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.



ERIC LAU, PRESIDENT OF SOLAR VF PRODUCTIONS
Eric is an alumnus of NYU’s prestigious Graduate Film Program. He has worked in the film industry for 34 years. His films, Nightwatchman and Ragged Edge, won the Best Narrative Film Award in the 1981 and 1984 Hong Kong Independent Film Festivals as well as Best Production, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography Awards in the 1984 First Run Film Festival.  Lau has been a Director / Producer / Cinematographer for many commercials and feature films. In 2007, he directed and produced Elevator Weekend which won the Official Selection category for both the Staten Island Film Festival and Long Island International Film Festival.  He has produced and directed international TV commercials for Snapple, Toyota, China Unicom, and Blue Man Group among others, and garnered numerous awards including the Telly Award and the Gold and Silver Awards for the Taiwanese Annual TV Advertisement Awards. His work with AARP TV for NBC’s TODAY SHOW: Your Life Calling Today with Jane Pauley won the 2011 Cine Golden Eagle Award.   He has been a distinguished guest lecturer at numerous universities and film festivals including Tribeca Film Festival on behalf of APPLE on film and video production, lighting, and cinematography. Lau has been invited to be a jury member at numerous international film festivals including CBGB Film Festival, and the Brooklyn International Film Festival. Lau was a jury member at the 2014 Asian American International Film Festival and 2013 Durban International Film Festival. He was also an Adjunct Professor  at Brooklyn College.  For the past 30 years, Lau has been President of Solar Film/Video Productions, a full service production company in NYC. His credits include internationally acclaimed films such as American Psycho and Y Tu Mamá También. He has also worked with filmmakers Ang Lee, Spike Lee, Alfonso Cuarón, Ernest Dickerson, John Turturro, Peter Bogdanovich, Mary Harron, James Toback, and Joel Schumacher.

TYLER HAM PONG, Filmmaker / Actor / Photographer
Born in Ottawa, Tyler Ham Pong first appeared onstage as Lorenzo in “The Merchant of Venice” at the National Arts Centre in Canada. He would later move to New York City to further his acting career where he wrote and starred in “Moony Mercury” Off-Off-Broadway. He also wrote and produced “Two Days ’til Dawn” at the Gene Frankel Theatre, NYC.
Tyler relocated to Los Angeles to pursue various film and television roles. He produced “Leap” and “CLUB RAT$” which screened at numerous festivals, including (Academy Award Qualifying) LA Shorts Fest and Amazon Prime Video’s first ever online film festival, All Voices Film Festival. His most recent film “The Real McCoy” won the Grand Prize and Best Actor Award at the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Film Shootout. Tyler would go on to co-ordinate the 2020 72 Hour Film Shootout, facilitating these opportunities for other diverse and emerging filmmakers.
Aside from acting and filmmaking, Tyler is currently a travel host for Visit the USA, and has been an Assistant/Associate Producer on several scripted and unscripted shows including, “BIZARRE MURDERS,” “TEXAS CAKE HOUSE,” and “TODDLERS AND TIARAS.” He is based in Los Angeles and is the proud owner/operator of Kill the Pig Productions.
Rachel Leyco (Judge for Best LGBTQ+ Filmmaker & Most Original Use of Theme) 
Rachel Leyco is an award-winning queer Filipina American filmmaker, writer, actor, and activist. She won a student Emmy at the 2013 College Television Awards, for her web series, “The Sub Club.” Her short film, “Bicultural,” and web series “Crazy” were official selections in film festivals around the world, including Outfest, BFI Flare: London, and others. Her TV scripts advanced as finalists in the NBC Writers on the Verge program and the Sundance Episodic Lab. Her feature film script “Violet, Violet” landed her the Runner-Up award in the 2020 Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition. She was named Network ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2021. Her latest rom-com feature film script, “Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader,” was selected for the 2022 GLAAD LIST x BLACK LIST, which she co-wrote with Emmy nominated actress, Rain Valdez and executive produced by Rosario Dawson. She is the founder of Empowerhouse, a mission driven company that aims to empower storytellers through community and creativity.

The Judges of the 2020 72 Hour Shootout 

MARCI PHILLIPS, Executive Director of Casting for ABC 

Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment.  Marci is responsible for covering the East Coast talent pool. For over a decade, Marci has cast for ABC and ABC Studio pilots, new series regulars, TV movies and alternative series. She was voted “Favorite NY TV/Film Casting Director” in the 2009 Backstage readers poll and tied in 2007. Marci also wrote the book “The Present Actor: A Practical and Spiritual Guideline to Help You Enjoy the Ride.”

ANTONY WONG, Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of the City University of New York (CUNY) 

Antony Wong is Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of The City University of New York (CUNY). Antony is responsible for the planning, production and filming of programs, activities, and publications such as the Institute’s lecture series, annual conference, fundraising gala, and CUNY FORUM journal. In addition, he also supervises AAARI’s annual CUNY Asian American Film Festival (CUNY AAFF), a contest for undergraduate and graduate students, Asian and non-Asian, enrolled at CUNY. Already in its 16th year, the CUNY AAFF has awarded over $11,000 in cash prizes to student filmmakers in the categories of fiction, documentary, and experimental film, where at least one production member is of Asian descent or the film contains an Asian American / Asian theme or narrative. Antony has previously served as first-round submissions judge for the Asian American Film Lab’s 72Hour Film Shootout in 2009, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and now 2020.

DANIEL SAKAYA, PRESIDENT OF CROSSINGSTV 

Daniel Sakaya currently serves as the President/COO of Crossings TV. With a background in marketing strategy, business development, and entrepreneurship, his experiences include various start-up launches, corporate re-structuring initiatives, partnership management and development, and brand equity and awareness building through both strategic and grassroots approaches. Mr. Sakaya is a graduate from the University of Florida and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

KELLI JOHNSON, Screenwriter (The Blacklist (NBC))

Kelli Johnson is a writer/director who grew up in Collinsville, Illinois.  While living in the Midwest, she discovered all of her first loves: the films of John Hughes and Billy Wilder, the comedic genius of George Carlin, and Charlie Conway, the triple deke king.  She moved out west and received her MFA in Writing for Screen & Television from USC.  Throughout college she interned at Laura Ziskin Productions and Paramount Pictures.  She worked at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and while she had fun at the Oscars, her favorite part of the job was participating in a mentorship program that provided middle-schoolers with opportunities to make short films.  Kelli is currently a writer on the hit NBC show THE BLACKLIST.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, not a first love, but she likes him a whole bunch.

JOHN TINTORI, Chair of NYU’s Graduate Film Program

John Tintori has edited over a dozen feature length films, including EIGHT MEN OUT directed by John Sayles’ TRUE LOVE’ and DOGFIGHT, directed by Nancy Savoca, and MISTER WONDERFUL, directed by Anthony Minghella. In addition to his feature credits, John has edited numerous TV commercials, music videos, and short films, including TREVOR, which won the Oscar for Best Dramatic Short Film in 1995. Some of his other  credits include: Associate Editor on THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET, Script Supervisor on MATEWAN, Key Grip on LIQUID SKY, and Editor on DAVID BLAINE: FROZEN IN TIME for ABC. 

John has written several screenplays, including WISE CHILD and MURDER MOST FOUL for Columbia Pictures, and INTERSTATE for HBO, which was based on the novel by Stephen Dixon. He co-directed, with Mary Cybulski, HELLCAB, an independent feature film starring John Cusack, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, and Gillian Anderson.

John is a member of the Director’s Guild of America, the Writer’s Guild of America, and the IATSE. He has been a member of the Tisch/Kanbar faculty since 1997. John has served as Chair of the Graduate Film Program at NYU since 2005, and was Chair of the Graduate Film Program at TischAsia in Singapore during its inaugural year of 2007/8. Joining forces with his colleagues in the Stern School of Business, John and Professor Sam Craig created the Dual MBA/MFA Degree in Producing, which accepted its first class in September 2008.

ERIC LAU, PRESIDENT OF SOLAR VF PRODUCTIONS

ERIC LAU is an alumnus of NYU’s prestigious Graduate Film Program. He has worked in the film industry for 34 years. His films, Nightwatchman and Ragged Edge, won the Best Narrative Film Award in the 1981 and 1984 Hong Kong Independent Film Festivals as well as Best Production, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography Awards in the 1984 First Run Film Festival.  Lau has been a Director / Producer / Cinematographer for many commercials and feature films. In 2007, he directed and produced Elevator Weekend which won the Official Selection category for both the Staten Island Film Festival and Long Island International Film Festival.  He has produced and directed international TV commercials for Snapple, Toyota, China Unicom, and Blue Man Group among others, and garnered numerous awards including the Telly Award and the Gold and Silver Awards for the Taiwanese Annual TV Advertisement Awards. His work with AARP TV for NBC’s TODAY SHOW: Your Life Calling Today with Jane Pauley won the 2011 Cine Golden Eagle Award.   He has been a distinguished guest lecturer at numerous universities and film festivals including Tribeca Film Festival on behalf of APPLE on film and video production, lighting, and cinematography. Lau has been invited to be a jury member at numerous international film festivals including CBGB Film Festival, and the Brooklyn International Film Festival. Lau was a jury member at the 2014 Asian American International Film Festival and 2013 Durban International Film Festival. He was also an Adjunct Professor  at Brooklyn College.  For the past 30 years, Lau has been President of Solar Film/Video Productions, a full service production company in NYC. His credits include internationally acclaimed films such as American Psycho and Y Tu Mamá También. He has also worked with filmmakers Ang Lee, Spike Lee, Alfonso Cuarón, Ernest Dickerson, John Turturro, Peter Bogdanovich, Mary Harron, James Toback, and Joel Schumacher.

ANTHONY MEINDL, WRITER / DIRECTOR / TEACHER 

Anthony Meindl is an LA-based Writer/Director/Teacher/Founder of AMAW studios worldwide, with studios in LA, London, NY, Santa Fe, Vancouver, Toronto, Sydney and Atlanta. He has also taught internationally in Sofia, Rome, Capetown, Melbourne, and Paris. He has guest lectured at the Gaiety School/The National Theatre School of Ireland, the prestigious Moscow Art Theater, the Actors Centre London, and is the guest acting teacher at David Lynch’s Masters of Filmmaking Program in Fairfield, Iowa. He is the author of three books: The best-selling At Left Brain Turn Right, Book The Fucking Job and Alphabet Soup for Grown-ups.

 The Judges of the 2019 72 Hour Shootout 

MARCI PHILLIPS, Executive Director of Casting for ABC

Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment.  Marci is responsible for covering the East Coast talent pool. For over a decade, Marci has cast for ABC and ABC Studio pilots, new series regulars, TV movies and alternative series. She was voted “Favorite NY TV/Film Casting Director” in the 2009 Backstage readers poll and tied in 2007. Marci also wrote the book “The Present Actor: A Practical and Spiritual Guideline to Help You Enjoy the Ride.”

AARON HO, Screenwriter (Cougar Town (ABC)Austin & Ally (Disney Chanel)Trolls: The Beat Goes On (Netflix))

After paying his way through college with poker winnings, Aaron got his start on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where he was often featured in sketches as the “token Asian guy” and submitted jokes for Jay’s monologue. The defining moment in Aaron’s life came at age 25 when he unexpectedly inherited his father’s engineering business. Wanting to both honor his family and continue his path toward sitcom writing, Aaron took on the task of working as a writer’s PA by day and engineering CEO by night. That whirlwind experience lead to new writing samples, landing him a spot in the Disney ABC Television Writing Program. He went on to write for Cougar Town (ABC)Austin & Ally (Disney Chanel), several Nickelodeon specials, and Trolls: The Beat Goes On (Netflix). He also sold and developed his pilot script, Get Wild, with Nickelodeon. When not writing, Aaron can be found playing poker to fund his addiction to Southern California theme parks. For more about him and his work, visit www.aaronjho.com

KELLI JOHNSON, Screenwriter (The Blacklist (NBC))

Kelli Johnson grew up in Collinsville, Illinois, home to the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle (a painted water tower that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places).  Uninterested in condiments or water storage, she discovered her passion for storytelling by watching everything from The Apartment to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  More recently, Kelli received her MFA in Writing for Screen & Television from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.  While balancing a full-time academic schedule, she worked as a freelance writer for Big Cat Entertainment.  She was a 2012 Alliance for Women in Media scholar and is an active alumni member of USC’s Women of Cinematic Arts.  Kelli is currently a writer on the hit NBC show “The Blacklist.”

ANTONY WONG, Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of the City University of New York (CUNY)

Antony Wong is Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of The City University of New York (CUNY). Antony is responsible for the planning, production and filming of programs, activities, and publications such as the Institute’s lecture series, annual conference, fundraising gala, and CUNY FORUM journal. In addition, he also supervises AAARI’s annual CUNY Asian American Film Festival (CUNY AAFF), a contest for undergraduate and graduate students, Asian and non-Asian, enrolled at CUNY. Already in its 16th year, the CUNY AAFF has awarded over $11,000 in cash prizes to student filmmakers in the categories of fiction, documentary, and experimental film, where at least one production member is of Asian descent or the film contains an Asian American / Asian theme or narrative. Antony has previously served as first-round submissions judge for the Asian American Film Lab’s 72Hour Film Shootout in 2009, 2016, 2017, 2018, and now 2019.

DANIEL SAKAYA, PRESIDENT OF CROSSINGSTV

Daniel Sakaya currently serves as the President/COO of Crossings TV. With a background in marketing strategy, business development, and entrepreneurship, his experiences include various start-up launches, corporate re-structuring initiatives, partnership management and development, and brand equity and awareness building through both strategic and grassroots approaches. Mr. Sakaya is a graduate from the University of Florida and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

MILTON LIU, Director of Programs and Artist Services (Visual Communications)

After graduating from the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), Milton Liu co-founded Kulture Machine, the first film production company listed in Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film – producing such films as JESUS HENRY CHRISTand FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN.  He received the Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Award for his feature script JOHN HUGHES RUINED MY LIFEand received the Tribeca Alumni Grant to write, produce and direct the webseries. He recently wrote AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS and directed the short documentary I HATE BIG PHONY. His next project is producing the feature LUCKY GRANDMA which will have its premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. Previously, Milton was a Disney Feature Writing Fellow and a 2018 Fox TV Writers Lab Fellow.  Milton is also the Director of Programs & Artist Services at Visual Communications (LA Asian Pacific Film Festival), Vice Chair of the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, and a member of the WGA. 

ARIEL ESTRADA, Manager of Communications at The Tank NYC

Ariel Estrada is an entertainer, producer, and arts administrator. As a passionate advocate for the arts, Ariel helps nonprofit organizations get their mission and message out into the world. He was recently inducted in New York Foundation for the Arts’ Emerging Arts Leader Boot Camp Program. In 2018, his work as an arts advocate was recognized by Theatre Communications Group in his designation as a Rising Leader of Color. Ariel is the current Communications Manager at The Tank NYC, a nonprofit arts presenting organization. He has also served as a development advisor for several Asian American performance companies, including National Asian Artists Project (Baayork Lee, Founder and Artistic Director) and Amaterasu Za (Ako Dachs, Founder and Artistic Director), as well as career coach for scores of early career performing artists of color.  As the Producing Artistic Director of Leviathan Lab, Ariel has produced over 50 events, productions, and short films since 2011. Most recently, he served as Executive Producer for the organization’s 2018 event THE WALL, a two-show series of performances in support of the immigration advocacy group Immigrant Families Together. 

 The Judges of the 2018 72 Hour Shootout 

MARCI PHILLIPS, Executive Director of Casting for ABC

Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment.  Marci is responsible for covering the East Coast talent pool. For over a decade, Marci has cast for ABC and ABC Studio pilots, new series regulars, TV movies and alternative series. She was voted “Favorite NY TV/Film Casting Director” in the 2009 Backstage readers poll and tied in 2007. Marci also wrote the book “The Present Actor: A Practical and Spiritual Guideline to Help You Enjoy the Ride.”

ANTONY WONG, Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of the City University of New York (CUNY)

Antony Wong is Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of The City University of New York (CUNY). Antony is responsible for the planning, production and filming of programs, activities, and publications such as the Institute’s lecture series, annual conference, fundraising gala, and CUNY FORUM journal. In addition, he also supervises AAARI’s annual CUNY Asian American Film Festival (CUNY AAFF), a contest for undergraduate and graduate students, Asian and non-Asian, enrolled at CUNY. Already in its 15th year, the CUNY AAFF has awarded over $11,000 in cash prizes to student filmmakers in the categories of fiction, documentary, and experimental film, where at least one production member is of Asian descent or the film contains an Asian American / Asian theme or narrative. Antony has previously served as first-round submissions judge for the Asian American Film Lab’s 72Hour Film Shootout in 2009, 2016 and 2017.

ERIN QUILL, Writer, Actor & Producer

Holds a BFA from CMU in Pgh. She was an original Broadway Cast Member of the TONY Winning Musical, Avenue Q. She also appeared as Lady Thiang opposite Debby Boone’s Mrs Anna in The King and I, and as Madame Rita Liang in the 50th Anniversary Production of Flower Drum Song.  TV and Film Credits include – Man on a Ledge, The Mikado Project, Damages, Nurse Jackie, The Following, NYPD Blue and others.  As a writer she has two produced screenplays- The Mikado Project and QWERTY, and another KTown P.I. is ‘in development’. She was a member of the NBC Writers Program. She is currently best known for her work as The Fairy Princess, a blog which points out inequalities in Representation. In that regard she has been quoted or sourced by The NY Times, Buzzfeed, The LA Times, HuffPo, International Business Times, Playbill, BroadwayWorld and has hosted panels to discuss API Representation on Bway for the past 2 years at BroadwayCon.

DANIEL SAKAYA, PRESIDENT OF CROSSINGSTV

Daniel Sakaya currently serves as the President/COO of Crossings TV. With a background in marketing strategy, business development, and entrepreneurship, his experiences include various start-up launches, corporate re-structuring initiatives, partnership management and development, and brand equity and awareness building through both strategic and grassroots approaches. Mr. Sakaya is a graduate from the University of Florida and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

ERIC LAU, Director / Producer / CinematographerEric Lau is an alumnus of NYU’s prestigious Graduate Film Program. He has worked in the film industry for 34 years. His films, Nightwatchman and Ragged Edge, won the Best Narrative Film Award in the 1981 and 1984 Hong Kong Independent Film Festivals as well as Best Production, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography Awards in the 1984 First Run Film Festival.  Lau has been a Director / Producer / Cinematographer for many commercials and feature films. In 2007, he directed and produced Elevator Weekend which won the Official Selection category for both the Staten Island Film Festival and Long Island International Film Festival. He has produced and directed international TV commercials for Snapple, Toyota, China Unicom, and Blue Man Group among others, and garnered numerous awards including the Telly Award and the Gold and Silver Awards for the Taiwanese Annual TV Advertisement Awards. His work with AARP TV for NBC’s TODAY SHOW: Your Life Calling Today with Jane Pauley won the 2011 Cine Golden Eagle Award. Eric has worked on news and documentaries for most major networks in the world such as BBC, CBS, NHK, ZDF, CCTV, 60 Minutes, etc. He has been a distinguished guest lecturer at numerous universities and film festivals including Tribeca Film Festival on behalf of APPLE on film and video production, lighting, and cinematography. Lau has been invited to be a jury member at numerous international film festivals including the Brooklyn International Film Festival, CBGB Film Festival, Asian American International Film Festival and Durban International Film Festival in South Africa among others. He was also an Adjunct Professor for Video Production courses at Brooklyn College.  For the past 29 years, Lau has been President of Solar Film/Video Productions, a full service production company in NYC. It has worked with internationally acclaimed films such as American Psycho and Y Tu Mamá También. He has also worked with filmmakers Ang Lee, Spike Lee, Alfonso Cuarón, Ernest Dickerson, John Turturro, Peter Bogdanovich, Mary Harron, James Toback, and Joel Schumacher.  Since 2009, Eric has been conducting Light and Shadow Filmmaking Workshop, focusing on independent filmmaking. It emphasizes on creative and effective hands-on techniques for small budget projects without sacrificing quality. It covers important film process including screenwriting, camera, lighting to directing and editing. For more  workshop info, visit: www.solarnyc.com/workshops  For more information about Eric and Solar, please visit Eric Lau’s website at www.solarnyc.com

The Judges of the 2017 72 Hour Shootout 

MARCI PHILLIPS, Executive Director of Casting for ABC

Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment.  Marci is responsible for covering the East Coast talent pool. For over a decade, Marci has cast for ABC and ABC Studio pilots, new series regulars, TV movies and alternative series. She was voted “Favorite NY TV/Film Casting Director” in the 2009 Backstage readers poll and tied in 2007. Marci also wrote the book “The Present Actor: A Practical and Spiritual Guideline to Help You Enjoy the Ride.”

Michelle K. Sugihara

Michelle K. Sugihara is the Executive Director of CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment). She is also an entertainment attorney, film producer, and adjunct professor for the Claremont Colleges’ Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies. She is the Co-Chair of the Multicultural Bar Alliance of Southern California, VP of Development and founding member of the Asian Pacific American Friends of the Theater, Director of Community Relations and founding member of the Japanese American National Museum’s New Leadership Advisory Council, and a member of PBS-Southern California Asian Pacific Islander Community Council. She is also an ensemble member of Cold Tofu, the nation’s premiere Asian American comedy improv and sketch group. 

Antony Wong, Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of the City University of New York (CUNY)

Antony Wong is Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of The City University of New York (CUNY). Antony is responsible for the planning, production and filming of programs, activities, and publications such as the Institute’s lecture series, annual conference, fundraising gala, and CUNY FORUM journal. In addition, he also supervises AAARI’s annual CUNY Asian American Film Festival (CUNY AAFF), a contest for undergraduate and graduate students, Asian and non-Asian, enrolled at CUNY. Already in its 14th year, the CUNY AAFF has awarded over $10,000 in cash prizes to student filmmakers in the categories of fiction, documentary, and experimental film, where at least one production member is of Asian descent or the film contains an Asian American / Asian theme or narrative. Antony has previously served as first-round submissions judge for the Asian American Film Lab’s 72-Hour Film Shootout in 2009 and 2016.

DAVID ELLIOTT, Agent, Don Buchwald & Associates

David Elliott is a talent agent at Don Buchwald & Associates.  Don Buchwald & Associates, Inc. (DBA) emerged as an industry leader in 1977 when Don Buchwald founded the company with five associates. We have since grown into a bi-coastal force in the entertainment industry. In New York City, DBA is housed on six floors of our own office building in midtown, between Madison and Fifth Avenues. In Los Angeles, DBA occupies a 12,000-square-foot office complex at 6500 Wilshire Boulevard, overlooking the heart of L.A.  Don Buchwald & Associates, Inc. is a full service talent agency. Our Commercial and Broadcast Departments in New York were the original cornerstones of the business, and continue to be recognized as highly influential in the marketplace. Today we proudly offer representation in all areas of the entertainment industry including our Film, Theater and Television department, our Literary department, our Television and Film Packaging departments, our Personal Appearances department, our Syndication Arm (for radio, television and the internet), and our Young Talent department in New York.

Girard Tecson

Winner of the 2016 72 Hour Shootout Grand Prize!  

Girard Tecson is an award winning Filipino filmmaker and the founder of Dayside Productions. He is recognized for his work on various short films and web videos that he wrote and directed, which were screened in various film festivals like Cannes International Film Festival. His team most recently won the Grand Prize at the 2016 72 Hour Shootout. He graduated from CUNY Hunter College with a BA in Media Studies, and he is currently pursuing his MFA graduate degree in Integrated Media Arts there as well.

The Judges of the 2016 72 Hour Shootout 

MARCI PHILLIPS, Executive Director of Casting for ABC

Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment.  Marci is responsible for covering the East Coast talent pool. For over a decade, Marci has cast for ABC and ABC Studio pilots, new series regulars, TV movies and alternative series. She was voted “Favorite NY TV/Film Casting Director” in the 2009 Backstage readers poll and tied in 2007. Marci just completed her book “The Present Actor: A Practical and Spiritual Guideline to Help You Enjoy the Ride.”

Vasan Bala, Director

Vasan Bala is a Mumbai based director, actor and writer, known for PeddlersThe Lunchbox (for which he adapted the script in Hindi). He co- wrote Bombay Velvet with Raman Raghav and was a major part of the hit Bollywood movie Dev D  (Dir: Anurag Kashyap).  Vasan’s father and grandfather were film buffs whose love of film inspired his own. He has collaborated with filmmakers including Michael Winterbottom, and Oscar winner Danis Tanvoic.  His debut feature as a writer/director, Peddlers, was screened during the Critics Week at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.  The film kept resonating at the Toronto International Film Festival where his gritty, violent and moving study of corruption of souls had a warm reception following a successful screening at Cannes.  Now his second feature “Side Hero” which was selected for Sundance’s “Screenwriters and Directors’ Lab.” is all set to enter the stages of pre-production and development. He is very excited to be a judge for the 72 Hour Shootout 2016 and to witness the works of budding filmmakers.

Antony Wong, Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of the City University of New York (CUNY)

Antony Wong is Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of the City University of New York (CUNY). Antony is responsible for the planning, production and filming of activities such as the Institute’s lecture series, annual conference and fundraising gala. In addition, he also supervises AAARI’s annual CUNY Asian American Film Festival (CUNY AAFF), a contest for undergraduate and graduate students, Asian and non-Asian, enrolled at the City University. Already in its 13th year, the CUNY AAFF has awarded over $10,000 in cash prizes to student filmmakers in the categories of fiction, documentary, and experimental film, where at least one production member is of Asian descent or the film contains an Asian American / Asian theme or narrative. Antony has previously reviewed first-round submissions for the 72-Hour Film Shootout in 2009. 

DAVID ELLIOTT, Agent, Don Buchwald & Associates

David Elliott is a talent agent at Don Buchwald & Associates.  Don Buchwald & Associates, Inc. (DBA) emerged as an industry leader in 1977 when Don Buchwald founded the company with five associates. We have since grown into a bi-coastal force in the entertainment industry. In New York City, DBA is housed on six floors of our own office building in midtown, between Madison and Fifth Avenues. In Los Angeles, DBA occupies a 12,000-square-foot office complex at 6500 Wilshire Boulevard, overlooking the heart of L.A.  Don Buchwald & Associates, Inc. is a full service talent agency. Our Commercial and Broadcast Departments in New York were the original cornerstones of the business, and continue to be recognized as highly influential in the marketplace. Today we proudly offer representation in all areas of the entertainment industry including our Film, Theater and Television department, our Literary department, our Television and Film Packaging departments, our Personal Appearances department, our Syndication Arm (for radio, television and the internet), and our Young Talent department in New York.

BERTHA BAY SA PAN

Born in New Jersey and raised in Taiwan, Pan received an MFA degree in Directing from the Columbia  University Graduate Film School in 1997, winning the DIRECTORS GUILD AWARD for Best Asian American Student Filmmaker with her graduate thesis film, which also received the POLO RALPH LAUREN AWARD for Best Screenplay.  Pan’s feature film debut “Face,” co-written by Oscar Award nominee Oren Moverman, starring Bai Ling, Kristy Wu, Kieu Chinh, and hip hop superstar Treach of Naughty by Nature, featuring a score composed by Leonard Nelson Hubbard of the Grammy Award winning hip hop band The Roots, premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival in the Dramatic Competition. During its successful festival run, “Face” received the AUDIENCE AWARD at GenArt Film Festival, the CRITICS AWARD for Best Director at CineVegas Film Festival, and the GRAND JURY AWARD for Best Director at Urbanworld Film Festival.  Pan was nominated for the prestigious Open Palm at the GOTHAM AWARDS, and winner of the PREMIO SPECIALE PRIZE at the International Women’s Film Festival in Italy.  “Face” was released theatrically in 2005, receiving positive reviews from major publications including The New York Times (a NY TIMES CRITICS PICK), Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, The Chicago Tribune, and the BBC.  Pan’s sophomore feature “Almost Perfect,” a romantic comedy for which she also wrote, starring Kelly Hu, Edison Chen, Ivan Shaw, Christina Chang, Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Tina Chen, Olivier and Tony Award winner Roger Rees, premiered at the San Francisco Asian American Film Festival, and continued as an audience favorite at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (as Centerpiece Film), the legendary Friars Club Comedy Film Festival in New York (as a Grand Jury Award nominee), Hawaii International Film Festival (as American Immigrant Filmmaker in Profile), Opening Night Film at San Diego Asian Film Festival, Closing Night Film at Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (winner of HBO EMERGING FILMMAKER AWARD), Opening Night Film at Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Opening Night Film at Boston Asian American Film Festival, Pune International Film Festival in India, Gwangju International Film Festival (selected as a 2013 “Must-See Film”), etc. Chosen by Asia Pacific Arts as a Top Ten Film of 2011, “Almost Perfect” had its U.S theatrical release in Fall of 2012, garnering postive reviews from Variety, San Francisco Chronicle, Honolulu Pulse, etc.  Pan has also directed music videos for artists such as Slim Kid Tre of Pharcyde, Chris Trapper of the Push Stars, and the popular children’s band Princess Katie and Racer Steve. As an actors coach, Pan has taught numerous screen acting workshops, private one-on-one sessions, and on-set coaching; clients include regulars from the TV series “Oz,” “The Wire,” “Gossip Girl,” as well as studio and independent films.

Michelle K. Sugihara

Michelle K. Sugihara is the Executive Director of CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment). She is also an entertainment attorney, film producer, and adjunct professor for the Claremont Colleges’ Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies. She is the Co-Chair of the Multicultural Bar Alliance of Southern California, VP of Development and founding member of the Asian Pacific American Friends of the Theater, Director of Community Relations and founding member of the Japanese American National Museum’s New Leadership Advisory Council, and a member of PBS-Southern California Asian Pacific Islander Community Council. She is also an ensemble member of Cold Tofu, the nation’s premiere Asian American comedy improv and sketch group.