I’ve lived in a suburb of Raleigh, NC for 11 years now, but called Northern VA my home for most of my life. I enjoy spending time with my two adult children, Zachary and Zoe, and my husband, Tim. I’m a huge NFL fan and love to travel, having been to 50 countries, all the US states and Canadian provinces. I’ve worked for the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) for 21 years and attended JHWFF in 2011 and 2015. I look forward to volunteering for this year’s awards gala.

Giant Screen Cinema Association's Website

My name is Hassan Bayyan, and I am a husband, father, and an optimistic zoologist. Since starting in 2014, it’s hard to believe that I am now out of the honeymoon phase and into the thick of my dream job. Scooping poop, telling fancy animal facts to rich people to convince them to give money for conservation, and trying to trim a hoof without getting kicked in the mouth are all part of the game. But what these last 10 years—begrudgingly counting 2020—have really taught me is that, in the age of TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Tinder, Bumble, and LinkedIn, people are tired of being bombarded with insipid information and crave stories that resonate on a deeper, more personal level. That’s where my passion for Science Communication comes in. I am studying and using the great African tradition—the art of oral storytelling—not just for entertainment but as an educational and spiritual practice that connects the past, present, and future.

In my work as a zoologist, I’m committed to increasing diversity in this space. I help run a fellowship aimed at boosting the representation of people of color in zoology and actively participate in communities like Black in Marine Science and Black Mammalogists. I also use my growing social media profile to demystify and challenge influencers who harass wildlife for entertainment. Additionally, I serve on the board of a Backyard Basecamp, a local nonprofit dedicated to connecting people with the outdoors.

“Frederick Douglass taught that literacy is the path from slavery to freedom. There are many forms of slavery and many kinds of freedom, but reading remains the key to liberation.” — Carl Sagan. My mission is to make a difference—not just by protecting wildlife, but by transforming the way people think, feel, and interact with the natural world, especially through social media. Whether I’m in the field, on camera, behind the camera, or speaking from a podium, I’m always searching for new ways to share stories that are both engaging and inspiring and unabashedly authentic. I hope these stories will encourage all of us to better appreciate and protect the planet we call home.

Hassan's Website

Emily Brady is a filmmaker from Massachusetts currently pursuing her MFA in Film and Media Arts concentrating in Environmental and Wildlife filmmaking at American University. She loves being able to tell environmental stories in a way and medium that the general public can enjoy. Emily currently lives in Washington, D.C. and when not working on a film or helping others can be found exploring the different trails of the DMV or lost in a book.

Shoshana Coleman is a conservation and wildlife photographer behind Sho Time Studios. Based in Washington D.C., she holds a degree in Criminology with a minor in Studio Art from American University. Through her work, Shoshana aims to foster a deeper empathy for the natural world, especially for those who may not have the opportunity to experience it firsthand. She also strives to make scientific concepts accessible by translating them into visually compelling narratives.

Shoshana's Website

David Ehrenberg is an award-winning filmmaker exploring the connection between the natural world and the human spirit. His career began at National Geographic Magazine, where he was exposed to the dedication required to excel in visual storytelling –– an experience that fueled his drive to innovate and subsequent work.
At the National Park Service’s Harpers Ferry Center for Interpretive Design, David spent nearly a decade leading teams and directing his own projects. He has been instrumental in developing multi-episode web series for underrepresented parks, such as Nicodemus National Historic Site, and played a key role in setting technical and cinematography standards for National Park films. David’s portfolio includes notable works such as "Heart of Maui," a documentary that earned first place in the environments category at the 2023 Jackson Wild Media Awards and two category wins at the 46th Annual International Wildlife Film Festival. The film shaped the conversation around avian malaria, raising awareness of its threat to Hawaii’s endangered forest birds. Additionally, David served as cinematographer for "Project Home.” Based in the Washington DC-Baltimore area, David continues to create films that not only engage and entertain but also provoke thought and inspire action in the realm of environmental conservation.

David's Website

Will Gemma is a writer, narrator, and director based in Richmond, Virginia. His childhood in the Shenandoah Valley cultivated a deep love for his home environment and the poetics of nature. A degree in poetry writing from the University of Virginia gave shape and voice to these passions. After a decade searching the world for the most meaningful ways to apply himself, he landed back where he always belonged: Virginia. Here he discovered environmental filmmaking, co-directing several award winning feature-length and short-form documentaries (Headwaters Down (2022), A Sturgeon Story (2023), and Headwaters Down: Tidal River (2024)), which he also wrote and narrated. Will hopes to inspire others to explore the environments in their own backyards, just as he has done, believing it is the purest way to instill a sense of wonder and stewardship for one’s local habitats. Outside of his writing chair, his favorite places to sit are the worn saddle of his mountain bike and the soft wicker of his canoe.

Headwaters Down Website

Sarah Gulick is an award-winning film producer currently working for the National Park Service. She is based out of the Harpers Ferry Center - a national design hub for interpretive media. She is passionate about using film as a tool to connect people to special places, amazing wildlife, and unique cultures and to encourage and celebrate collaboration. She previously co-founded a design studio focused on educational and non-profit organizations and taught university film and design courses. She was a Center for Environmental Filmmaking scholar and has an MFA in Film and Electronic Media from American University. She is also on the board of the American Conservation Film Festival.

My name is Isaac Jantzen, I am an aspiring/budding?? documentary filmmaker from Washington, DC. I graduated from Temple University in 2023, concentrating on doc studies and post-production. I hope for a future immersed in documentary production, as I believe the world of documentary film provides learning opportunities like no other. I enjoy fresh air, and introducing my dog Hobbes to a new trail!

Isaac's Website

Annie Kane is an emerging filmmaker pursuing an MFA in Environmental Documentary Film at American University. As a cinematographer and editor, she merges her passion for climate activism with her filmmaking skills to tell the stories of those impacted by the climate crisis and the scientists working to address it. Annie has produced content for several nonprofits and conservation organizations, including the National Parks Service, where she highlighted the revitalization of the Anacostia watershed through mussel restoration. She aims to continue collaborating with scientists to amplify their efforts in combating climate change.

Annie's Website

Elizabeth Lee Green is originally from Enfield, Connecticut. She grew up on her family’s blueberry farm before heading off to study at Hampshire College. Elizabeth graduated in 2020 with her debut documentary ‘Dreamstate: What are movies really selling?’ and received her Bachelor's Degree with a concentration in Film Studies and Production. Currently, Elizabeth is located in Washington, DC and is working on her graduate degree as an MFA Candidate at American University. She is concentrating her studies in Environmental Filmmaking and works to center sustainable agriculture and environmental justice in her work. Elizabeth also carries a passion for analog photography and filmmaking and often shoots in film and develops it.

Elizabeth's Website

Melanie Lippert is an Associate Producer for National Geographic’s Pristine Seas team – helping to create documentaries that inspire the protection of global marine ecosystems. She previously worked at the National Wildlife Federation as a Communications Fellow and spent 2021 working as a Cheetah Keeper and Educational Assistant for the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia and Somaliland. Melanie also worked at National Geographic Channel as a Production Assistant, helping with shows such as Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship and Gorongosa: Paradise Reborn. She has worked in Zanzibar, Madagascar, Kenya, Belize, and Canada as well, closely examining the cultural and scientific stories behind human-wildlife conflicts, the illegal wildlife trade, and community-based conservation efforts.

Hilary Lo has been the Festival Manager/Director for the American Conservation Film Festival for nearly a decade of its 22 year run. She lives in Shepherdstown, WV where she enjoys yardening and walks on the C&O Towpath by the Potomac River with family and friends.

American Conservation Film Festival's Website

I’m a passionate conservationist and filmmaker from Baltimore with a love for learning, cooking, and supporting mission-focused organizations. My work and play blend seamlessly as I strive to live a life of service to conservation, and hope to motivate others to protect our natural world through education. I enjoy being outdoors year-round, whether I'm filming, volunteering, or simply appreciating the beauty of our planet.

Joshua's Website

Brynne Rardin is an underwater filmmaker, divemaster, and certified drone pilot, who is currently a Master in Fine Arts (MFA) candidate in Environmental Filmmaking at American University in Washington D.C. As a professional filmmaker, Brynne uses film to connect people to the ocean in ways that allow them to learn directly from the environment in an effort to facilitate global action towards protecting and preserving our Blue Planet. She is also the owner and designer of OFAUNA, a sustainable and inclusive rashguard brand, working to educate people on a global scale about the immense need for ocean and marine life protection.

Brynne's Website

Melissa Rogers is a video producer and multimedia specialist with a penchant for documentary filmmaking and photography. For over a decade, Melissa has cultivated her production skills while working for a variety of nonprofits, academic institutions, and freelance clients. Melissa has served as a screener/reviewer for AFI Docs, the DC Environmental Film Festival, and Jackson Wild. She received her MFA in Media Arts from Emerson College, where she focused her studies on interactive media, media pedagogy, and documentary filmmaking. Additionally, she graduated from Shepherd University in WV with a BFA in Computer/Digital Imagery, spending years in darkrooms mastering the basics of light, color, and stubborn perfectionism.

Melissa's Website

Born and raised in Colorado, Geoff also attended college at Colorado Film School and the University of Colorado Denver ultimately receiving a BFA in Film and Television with a focus on Cinematography and a Minor in Photography. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Geoff currently works as a freelance Cinematographer on a multitude of projects ranging from narrative, documentary, and commercial. Within recent years, he has been able to collaborate on work with the USDA, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife, and other entities focusing on the health of our planet, wildlife, and the people, which in turn have sparked further interests in the outdoors, adventure, and conservation. He aspires to continue telling stories through a lens in these areas and to keep learning more about our complex world and its inhabitants in doing so.

Geoff's Website

My name is Jonathon, and I am a graduate student in the film and media arts program at American University. I have an educational background in Global Studies with an emphasis in culture and language as well as Digital Communications with an emphasis in media production. In my free time, I compose music and do photography. I'm looking to expand my skills, knowledge, and experience as well as meet other creative minds while completing my masters.