Meet the NYCFF 2026 Jurors
Jesse Garcia
Jesse Garcia will next be seen in the highly anticipated Christopher Nolan film THE ODYSSEY. He recently starred in the upcoming Disney+ feature ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD ROAD TRIP alongside Eva Longoria and based on the iconic book series. He can currently be seen in the Netflix feature, THE MOTHER, opposite Jennifer Lopez. He recently shot the Village Roadshow, Michael Olmos directed feature, MURDER CITY, opposite Stephanie Sigman. He can also currently be seen in the Amy Redford film, ROOST opposite Summer Phoenix , which played at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF). He can also be seen starring as the lead role in the Eva Longoria-directed biopic for Searchlight, FLAMIN’ HOT, based on the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos creator Richard Montanez, that premiered at SXSW 2023. Currently streaming, he can be seen in the Michael Bay blockbuster, AMBULANCE, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. He also just wrapped the Amazon pilot ONCE UPON A TIME IN AZTLAN opposite George Lopez. Before that, he shot the new season of NARCOS. Garcia is an American actor best known for his award-winning film Quinceañera written and directed by Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer, executive produced by Todd Haynes. The film won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival in the Dramatic Independent Feature Competition. Garcia won Best Actor at the 2007 ALMA Awards for his role as Carlos, a troubled gay teenager. His television work also includes Edward James Olmos’ movie WALKOUT for HBO, recurring roles on SONS OF ANARCHY, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and THE SHIELD.
Kris Meyer
Emmy nominated and award-winning producer Kris Meyer is widely recognized for his twenty-year collaboration with The Farrelly Brothers on such comedy classic hits as There’s Something About Mary, Shallow Hal, Dumb & Dumber To and many others. Collectively, Meyer’s films have grossed over $2 billion plus in box office. Kris’ next films are the animated feature, Pierre-The-Pigeon-Hawk and 21Down.
Ryan Gaul
After growing up on the central coast of Maine, Ryan moved south and attended Stonehill College outside of Boston, MA. Following a brief career as an office supply salesman, Ryan transitioned into acting and performing at Improv Asylum in Boston. From there, Ryan moved to LA and became a member of the Groundlings Main Company. He landed guest star roles on numerous television shows, including: HOUSE OF LIES, IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, NBC’s SUPERSTORE, and THE LAST O.G. Film credits include FATHER FIGURES, THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS, IDENTITY THIEF, KILLING GUNTHER, & BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE.
Ashley Reyes
Ashley Reyes will next be seen in the sure to shock Peacock series M.I.A. She can currently be seen in the highly acclaimed Apple TV+ series THE MORNING SHOW, opposite Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. She stars in the feature DEAD GUY opposite Michael Shannon and Judy Greer to be released soon. She starred in the CW remake of WALKER alongside Jared Padalecki, Molly Hagan and Keegan Allen. She was in the Hulu series, HOW I MET YOUR FATHER, opposite Hilary Duff and Josh Peck as well as a series regular in Starz’ AMERICAN GODS. Ashley can also be seen in the indie film SLAYERS opposite Abigail Breslin and Malin Akerman. She made her Broadway debut on the Tony-winning production of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG and was a breakout from the 2016 LAMDA showcase. Ashley is a multi-ethnic Puerto Rican/Lithuanian actress who grew up in Long Island before moving to England to study acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Tam Sackman
Tam is a manager and producer at Stapleview, a digital comedy management company and studio. Tam represents both comedic and dramatic multihyphenates and produces feature films, television, digital series, and podcasts. Tam works closely with talent to shape material, build sustainable careers, and bring compelling stories to audiences across platforms.
Known for a sharp creative instinct and a collaborative approach, Tam has helped guide projects from early development through production and distribution. Tam's work reflects a commitment to comedy-driven storytelling, innovative formats, and content that resonates in an evolving media landscape.
Dena Tyler
Fans will recognize Dena Tyler from her recurring role as the dynamic, inspirational defense attorney, Liberty, alongside Michael Weatherly on CBS’s, Bull. She simultaneously recurred on HULU's, The Path as Claudia, the devoted follower rising to fire & brimstone Cult Leader. Most recently she starred in Park Avenue with Fiona Shaw, directed by Sundance alum Gaby Dellal. Select TV credits include: Blue Bloods, Chicago Med, NCIS NOLA, Homeland, Orange is the New Black, Instinct (Guest Starring opposite Alan Cumming), The Deuce, The Path, 30 ROCK, & all of the L&Os. On the stage she played Charlotta opposite Ellen Burstyn in The Cherry Orchard & her portrayal of Emma in Betrayal at MST garnered her a nomination for Best Actress in a Drama at Broadway World’s Regional Awards. She is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio.
Jeff Zimbalist
Jeff Zimbalist is a multi-Emmy, DuPont, and Peabody winning filmmaker most known for IDA and Tribeca Film Festival winner FAVELA RISING (HBO), Emmy winner and Cannes Film Festival favorite THE TWO ESCOBARS (ESPN, Disney), Emmy and Tribeca Film Festival winner MOMENTUM GENERATION (HBO, Universal), PELÉ; BIRTH OF A LEGEND (Magnolia, Universal), the Emmy winning series REMASTERED (Netflix), Emmy nominated THE LINE (Apple), Emmy nominated 11 MINUTES and Emmy nominated CRUSH (Paramount+), 2x Emmy winner SUPER LEAGUE; WAR FOR FOOTBALL (Apple), Sundance award-winner THE STRINGER (Netflix), plus recent Sundance breakouts SKYWALKERS; A LOVE STORY (IMAX / Netflix) and HOW TO COME ALIVE WITH NORMAN MAILER, both of which made Owen Gleiberman's top documentaries of 2024.
Courtney Camerota
Courtney is a New York City–based writer, producer, and director. Her debut feature film, Last Pickup, which she wrote and produced, premiered as the opening-night selection at the Williamsburg International Film Festival and went on to stream on Amazon Prime. Since then she has written, produced and directed several films that have screened at Oscar Qualifying film festivals such as Cinequest and the Soho International Film Festival. Most recently, she wrapped production on the feature film Dead Guy, which she wrote and directed, starring Michael Shannon, Eva Longoria, Luis Guzman, Judy Greer, and Rory Culkin.
Shaun Sipos
Shaun Sipos can be seen recurring in the second season of the acclaimed Hulu drama HIGH POTENTIAL. Currently, he can be seen in Amazon’s REACHER, opposite Alan Ritchson and Amazon's OUTER RANGE opposite Josh Brolin as well the feature-film BLACK DIAMOND, opposite Inbar Levi and Ray Panthaki. He can also be seen in the Syfy series KRYPTON. Shaun is known for his lead roles in The CW’s MELROSE PLACE and hit films such as FINAL DESTINATION 3, RAMPAGE, and TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D. Other past credits include FOR THE LOVE OF GEORGE, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, THE GRUDE 2, and CBS’ SHARK.
Crickett Rumley
The founder and senior director of the Film Festival Department at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in Los Angeles, Crickett Rumley has guided filmmakers to official selections at festivals ranging from Sundance to Bronzelens and to wins and nominations at the Student Academy Awards, the BAFTA Student Film Awards, the DGA Student Film Awards, and the College Television Awards. She is on the board of the Film Festival Alliance, serves as the Panels Director for the Tallgrass Film Festival, and has taught workshops and served on juries for festivals around the U.S.
Kerry O’Malley
Kerry O’Malley can currently be seen in Netflix’s episodic, A MAN ON THE INSIDE, opposite Ted Danson as well as ABC’s HIGH POTENTIAL. She appears in David Fincher’s Netflix feature, THE KILLER as well as two Tyler Perry movies, SIX TRIPLE EIGHT starring Kerry Washington and MEA CULPA starring Kelly Rowland and Trevante Rhodes. For Hulu, she is in NIGHTBITCH, directed by Marielle Heller, starring Amy Adams. She is currently recurring on WHY WOMEN KILL, TNT’s SNOWPIERCER, Starz’s HEELS, REAL HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD, and STRANGE ANGEL. She was educated at Duke University and the American Repertory Theater Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University. Her film credits include TERMINATOR GENYSIS with Emilia Clarke and Arnold Schwarzenegger, ANNABELLE, and THE HAPPENING with Mark Wahlberg. Kerry recently starred inSteve Wynn's Showstoppers, a Broadway-themed revue that premiered at the Wynn Las Vegas. Last summer Kerry recurred in Showtime’s hit series MASTERS OF SEX and was a series regular in THOSE WHO KILL. She was also seen in heavily recurring roles in both Showtime’s SHAMELESS, and HBOs BOARDWALK EMPIRE. Most recently Kerry finished working on Amazon’s THE LAST TYCOON and Netflix’s WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: TEN YEARS LATER. When not working, Kerry resides in Los Angeles.
Steve Calalang
From camera assistant to international colorist, short format to feature length, Steve is truly an embodiment of diversity within the motion picture industry. He worked as a camera assistant for many years before transitioning to post-production. After initially color-correcting millions of feet of film dailies for film and commercials, Steve went on to grade a number of films for the prestigious Criterion Collection before taking on the challenge of living abroad in Bangkok as the Senior Colorist at Technicolor’s Thailand facility. There, he graded projects hailing from Thailand, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Iran, Qatar, and the U.S.Over the years, his keen eye for color has led him to collaborate with the likes of Academy Award-winning cinematographers Emmanuel Lubezki, Robert Elswit, John Bailey, and Lawrence Sher, as well as with directors Paul Schrader, Oliver Stone,Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Noah Baumbach, and Kevin Smith. His broad television work includes HBO, ESPN, The Food Network, MTV, VH1, The CW, HGTV, Lifetime, and the Science Channel. New York-based and remote-capable; Steve is always ready for the next challenge. When not focused on color grading, he can be found playing bass guitar in open jam sessions throughout NYC or at home cooking tasty dinners.
Ellen Tamaki
Ellen Tamaki is an actress originally from outside Philadelphia. She’s thrilled to be serving on the jury of the inaugural season of NYCFF! She got her professional start off-Broadway playing Billie Jean King in One Year Lease’s production of Balls at 59E59 St Theater and now appreciates every opportunity to work at home, in NYC. Television credits include Drea in Manifest (NBC/Netflix), Niko in Charmed (CW), Girls5Eva, Magnum PI, Will Trent, FBI: Most Wanted. You can also see her in the Lionsgate feature, The Housemaid, now in theaters. She is also a full spectrum doula, loves birding, cooking and creating made-up worlds with her godchildren.
Chris von Hoffmann
A New Jersey native, Chris von Hoffmann studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and performed in Off-Broadway plays before moving to Los Angeles to focus full-time on filmmaking and screenwriting.
Starting small, Chris wrote, produced, and directed several short films before making his feature debut with Drifter in 2016. Made on a micro-budget, the film showcased confidence behind the camera and drew attention from industry leaders. Drifter was acquired by Alameda Entertainment, licensed to Netflix and other platforms, and earned returns above its original budget.
Following the film’s success, Chris signed with CAA and Grandview Management. His follow-up feature, Monster Party, starred Erin Moriarty, Robin Tunney, and the late Lance Reddick, securing worldwide distribution through RLJE Entertainment.
His 2022 film Devil’s Workshop starred Emile Hirsch and Radha Mitchell and was released by Lionsgate.
Chris is developing a new feature set in NYC.
Jonah Feingold
Jonah is a storyteller working across disciplines, from independent film to big-budget studio projects to digital short-form content. The USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate spent a decade honing his craft in LA before returning to NYC to pursue his filmmaking dreams.
Feingold’s latest film 31 Candles, which he wrote directed, and stars in, began a rolling theatrical release as of November 2025. His debut feature, Dating & New York, premiered at Tribeca in 2021 and was acquired out of the festival by IFC.
Other directorial credits include: EXMAS for Freeve/Amazon starring Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell; Paramount+'s AT MIDNIGHT starring Monica Barbaro and Deigo Boneta; and forthcoming buddy comedy BUSBOYS, with David Spade and Theo Von.
He recently founded his own production company, Romantical, which blurs the lines between traditional Hollywood cinema and digital-first media — offering audiences modernized romantic comedies and genre-bending tales celebrating connection, community, and the art of cinema itself.