Independent Shorts Awards International Film Festival

Jessica J. Rowlands’ directorial debut "Rise" led the 2026 Independent Shorts Awards with 5 wins, including Best Indie Short of the Year, as "Malka" and "Boatlift 9/11" each earned 3 awards.

With award-winning work across commercials, short films, episodic television, animation, and feature development, David Mahmoudieh brings a versatile perspective on directing across formats to this year’s Industry Panel.

With award-winning work in feature films, short films, episodic storytelling, performance, and commercial production, Stacey Maltin brings a multidisciplinary perspective as a writer, director, producer, and actor to this year’s Industry Panel.

With more than 100 stage productions, 175 commercials, and 50 television credits to his name—plus decades of experience as a writer, producer, and acting coach—Frank Crim brings a wealth of practical knowledge to this year’s Industry Panel.

With a career spanning Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope, independent film production, literary adaptation, and film education, Susie Landau Finch brings decades of creative and industry experience to this year’s Industry Panel.

Real Facts inspired movie that tells something about our world following Miles in search of equilibrium, Patrick in search ofContinue reading