ELLE SHAW
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Elle Shaw is an award-winning producer whose passion for storytelling began in the midwest and evolved through a career that spans acting, theater, podcasting, and film. She made the leap into producing in 2016, drawn to the power of visual storytelling to explore the human condition.
Elle’s work has premiered at top festivals and platforms including Sundance, Slamdance, SXSW Sydney, the American Pavilion at Cannes, and Austin Film Festival. In addition to producing narrative films, she serves as Executive Director of the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival in Los Angeles, where she champions bold new voices and cultivates a thriving creative community.
With a sharp instinct for character-driven stories and a deep commitment to artistic collaboration, Elle brings both vision and heart to every project she touches.
ERIN BROWN THOMAS
CO-FOUNDER / ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Erin Brown Thomas is an award-winning director, writer, and producer who creates “traumedies” – emotionally-charged dramedies that disguise deep pathos beneath sharp humor. Her single-shot pilot CHASERS made history as the first narrative project accepted into both Sundance and Slamdance. She recently served on the producing team of the Academy Award-Winning live action short THE SINGERS (2026) and is currently in post on her directorial debut feature, LADY KINGS OF TEXAS, a suspense satire about reproductive rights.
A Nicholl Fellowship Semifinalist, Erin will soon direct And Also With You, supported by a Mark Duplass grant. She’s served on juries for Indy Shorts, Walla Walla Movie Crush, and Hell’s Half Mile as well as panels for Palm Springs Shortfest. As co-founder of Salute Your Shorts Film Festival, Erin champions emerging filmmakers.
LAUREN REID BROWN
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING
Lauren Reid Brown, a 35 year veteran teacher from Ohio, first got involved with film festivals by attending many that her daughter’s films played in around the country. Her enjoyment of that led to volunteering at several including the Oscar qualifying Cleveland International.
Lauren became a screener for Salute Your Shorts’ inaugural festival in 2017 and is now Programming Director. She enjoys the creativity and heart of independent filmmaking and has served as a judge for several other festivals. Lauren has worked on numerous movie sets in a variety of capacities eventually becoming a Producer. Human, which was shot in her then mountain town of Salida,Colorado soared on the festival circuit.
KATHERINE TOLENTINO
PROGRAMMER
Katherine Tolentino is a Chinese-Salvadoran filmmaker from the San Francisco Bay Area. Her short films have played at Cinequest Film Festival, Sarasota Film Festival, and IFF Boston, among others. Her short "Ahora que te has ido" won Best Latino Short Film at the Central American International Film Festival in LA. She has worked for major studios including HBO, NBCUniversal, ABC, TNT and FOX. She's drawn to stories that reclaim the narratives & experiences of women of color and other marginalized groups.
KAYSIA BOOZE
ASSOCIATE FESTIVAL PRODUCER
Kaysia Booze is a cautiously-proud Southerner who stumbled into Hollywood through her work in event production and brand partnerships. Throughout her career as an Event Producer, Kaysia has executed events for The Oscars, Sundance, The Super Bowl, Essence Festival, NBA All Star, Art Basel and more. And then there was a shift.
In 2021 Kaysia was asked to manage the Academy’s Inaugural Film Accelerator program and something new awakened in her. She began to feel the plight of creatives who wanted to get their work into the world, and decided to dedicate herself to figuring out how to amplify underrepresented creatives and the work they devoted themselves to. At her core, Kaysia is an advocate for authentic artistry, inclusive community, and stories that ignite the soul.
JOHNNY BACA
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Johnny Baca is a Dallas-born, Los Angeles-based director and writer known for his energetic, character-driven storytelling. His creative journey began in the early/mid 2000s after spending his teenage years as the lead guitarist in the rock band Confined. After several years working as an actor, Baca transitioned behind the camera, making his directorial debut with the series Yoga Pants Gone Wrong.
Since then, Baca has built a growing body of work as a director and writer, creating projects that have resonated with both audiences and critics. In 2023, his work earned Best Director honors at multiple film festivals, followed by Best TV Director at the Golden State Film Festival in 2024. In 2025, he was named a semifinalist in the Short Film Script Competition at the HollyShorts Film Festival and a quarterfinalist for the Outstanding Screenplays Feature Script Competition in early 2026.
Alongside his filmmaking career, Baca has developed a strong presence in digital media, personally eclipsing millions of views across Instagram and TikTok through the content he creates and edits. He serves as Social Media Manager for Look Dine-In Cinemas, where he produces engaging content that connects audiences with film and cinema culture. He has also created and edited branded content for companies including Toyota Commercial Finance, Sidekick Creative, and Mirabella Cocina Latina.
Driven by the philosophy “ABC - Always Be Creating” Baca continues to develop original stories across film, television, and digital platforms.
ANNA K. LONG
ASSOCIATE PROGRAMMER
Anna started her artistic career in earnest at three years old, when, after watching a beat up VHS of Mikhail Baryshnikov's nutcracker, she took a solemn vow to never sit still again. Twenty years, one liberal arts degree, and many dance classes later, Anna began work as an independent choreographer, showing works in New York, Chicago, Denver, Stuttgart, Paris, and Los Angeles.
Anna began work as a writer and director in 2021. In 2025 she was named a recipient of the Fujifilm Aspiring Filmmakers Award through Decentralized Pictures.
Anna is a certified Gaga instructor and produces dance classes and workshops in Southern California.
CHRISTOPHER FRANCIS
ASSOCIATE PROGRAMMER
Christopher Francis is a Massachusetts based CNC Machinist by day, and a filmmaker by night. Graduating with a degree in Media Studies from the University of San Francisco in 2020, his films are often focused on the internet and how people connect through the internet.
Christopher is also a programmer for the Woods Hole Film Festival and in 2024 was named a recipient of the Fujifilm Aspiring Filmmakers Award through Decentralized Pictures.
MILO JORDAN-BAUM
FESTIVAL HOUSE MANAGER
Milo is a Los Angeles based jack-of-all-trades who has found a niche in production and creative support. While working as the front of house for off and off-off-Broadway theatres in New York City, he enjoyed the chance to connect and create memorable experiences for guests and creators alike.
Usually found where things are a little chaotic and a lot weird, his production credits include Hubris: A 24-Hour Podcast Project and as returning talent in staged dramatic readings of My Immortal: LIVE.
VINCENT DELUCA
FESTIVAL ADVISOR
JILLIAN CORSIE
FESTIVAL ADVISOR
BECKY MURDOCH
CO-FOUNDER
