JURY

WYNDHAM WISE CANADA

Wyndham Paul Wise is a Canadian film historian, critic, editor and publisher. Born in London, England, he was raised in Don Mills, a suburb of Toronto. He has a M.A. from the Graduate School of Drama, University Of Toronto, and a Master of Fine Arts from the Graduate Programme in Film and Video, York University. On stage as a child with the Don Mills Players, he was the first film contributor for the monthly city listings in Toronto Life magazine (1972–74).

During the mid-1970s, Wise was part of the nascent Toronto underground theatre scene, producing Shop-Talk (Toronto Free Theatre, 1976), Spinning (CEAC and P.S. 1. NYC, 1977) and Con/Notes (produced by Theatre Passe Muraille at CEAC, 1977) with Richard Shoichet.[1] He was cameraman and editor on several installations by the noted Canadian artist Noel Harding, and he also produced and directed three 16-mm shorts: Garbage (1974), A Sound Film (1975) and Spinning (1976). Wise was a volunteer driver during the first Toronto Festival of Festivals (1976) and appeared in commercials, on television and in feature films, including a bit part in the Toronto-shot children’s classic The Black Stallion. In 1982, he co-produced the documentary Liona Boyd First Lady of the Guitar for C Channel and Liona Boyd in Concert, which was broadcast on Global TV in 1983.

He founded and was the editor-in-chief of Take One: Film & Television in Canada (ISSN 1192-5507, OCLC 60624126), which was published from 1992—2006.[2] Over its 14-year publishing history it grew in stature to become Canada's finest film magazine. He has taught film studies at Algoma University (1985 & 1988) and York University (1987–88), and media writing at Sheridan College (1989–93). He served as the last Toronto reporter for Cinema Canada magazine[3] (1988–89), launched POV magazine in 1990 for the Canadian Independent Film Caucus (now the Documentary Organization of Canada) and edited the final issue of Independent Eye (1991) for the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre. In 1997, he was instrumental in founding the Toronto Film Critics Association and launched Canadian Screenwriter for the Writers Guild of Canada in 1998.

In 2001, Wise edited Take One's Essential Guide to Canadian Film, published by the University of Toronto Press, a concise history of Canadian cinema. [4] Along with Film Companion, the Essential Guide provided the foundation for the TIFF’s online Canadian Film Encyclopedia. In 2008, Wise was hired by the Canadian Society of Cinematographers to edit CSC News, which he transformed into Canadian Cinematographer in 2009. That year, his essay “Up from the Underground: Filmmaking in Toronto from Winter Kept Us Warm to Shivers,” appeared in Toronto on Film, edited by Geoff Pevere for TIFF and published by the Wilfred Laurier Press. He is a former contributor and consultant to Historica's Canadian Encyclopedia and the author of over 550 articles, interviews and reviews.[5] On occasion, he writes under the pseudonym Paul Townend.

ISAI RIVERA BLAS (CANADA)

Isai is an Actor, Singer, Dancer, Filmmaker , Videographer and Writer. He's been an Actra and Canadian Actors Equity member for 20 years in Canada.He's done Feature films and television series both for USA and Canadian Productions as well as Canadian Television Commercials and Corporate Industrial Films.. He has a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the National University in the Philippines.

He Studied Theatre Production at York University in Toronto. He studied Acting at Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. 

ISAI RIVERA BLAS has professional training in singing and dancing in both Toronto and New York City which landed him several productions in Musical Theatre both in US and Canada. He also studied Film Studies at Ryerson University, Photography at George Brown College/Ryerson University and Creative Writing at GBC. He is a professional Photographer specializing in Actors Headshot for almost 10 years now. He has also directed  a translation of the Metro Toronto Recycling Program from English to Tagalog(Philippines).

He is the Director. Cinematographer and Writer of some of the short films and video productions he's done while at the university and independently. Also as an Actor he has been portraying different roles as an SP (Standardized Patient) for all levels of Medical Profession such as Doctors, Nurses, Chiropractors and Pharmacists. He's an active member of the Executive Committee of PPRA (PAL Place Resident Association)" Performers Art Lodge" for the last 2 years, that represent resident members in the film, tv, radio and arts media collectively by providing a forum of discussion of aims, needs and concerns as well as organize entertainment, social and educational events

ANNALEE ORR:  (CANADA)

Annalee (Lee) Orr is a graduate of OCAD, where she studied, illustration, design and photography.  She has had a strong interest in film and film-making for most of her professional life.  She divided her time between illustration, graphic design and film animation.  She has worked on many animated inserts for Sesame Street, various commercials for the corporations and government agencies as well as educational films for children and medical training.

She lived and worked in Los Angeles for several years at Hanna Barbara, working on special projects, layout, character design and animation. During this time, she also worked on several free-lance projects such as:  the Charlie Brown animated shorts, and development of several other animation projects.

Since returning to Toronto to raise her children, she has continued to work on various animated films and projects on a free-lance basis and volunteered her talents as a graphic designer and illustrator to many charitable organizations.  She and her husband published a local magazine the “Inside Look” for several years covering happenings, history and personalities in our neighbourhood.  Recently she has volunteered at Hot Docs Film Festival, TIFF and COMMFFEST, to help promote films in Toronto.  She continues to be actively involved in the neighbourhood, making and selling her unique jewelry at the St. Lawrence Market and writing articles for the local publications.

DAVID SYNER: (U.S.A)

David Syner is a film producer and a veteran entertainment industry professional, having worked in numerous creative and executive capacities over the course of his career.  His most recent film, the much buzzed about HIV/AIDS documentary House of Numbers, has won over 19 awards at film festivals around the world and has played in theatres across the U.S. – from New York to Los Angeles.

Prior to re-embarking on a career as a film producer, Syner was Manager and COO of the popular energy drink Gay Fuel (www.gayfuel.com), where he was responsible for all aspects of the company, including corporate vision, sales, marketing and operations. Partnered with his father Robert – Gay Fuel’s Founder, CEO and President – he managed all day-to-day tasks for the innovative brand, an energy drink that has a distinctive taste and is made from top quality ingredients.  Under Syner’s leadership, Gay Fuel directs 5% of all company profits to support the gay community through event sponsorships, charitable donations and direct contributions local AIDS, HIV and general LGBT community charities.

A successful makeup artist for numerous Hollywood blockbuster films and popular television series, Syner boasts over a decade of entertainment industry experience.  His film credits include Galaxy Quest, The Bird Cage, One Night at McCool's, Why do Fools fall In Love, The Jungle Book and Life.  His television credits include The Practice, The Tick, Annie, That 70's Show, 7th Heaven, Cybil, Young Indiana Jones and The 2000 Academy Awards.   Syner has worked with many of Hollywood’s most accomplished and popular entertainers, including Chris Rock, Janet Jackson, Kim Cattrall, Lara Flynn Boyle, Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Bridget Fonda, Gregory Hines, Nick Nolte, Mia Farrow, John Goodman and many more.

Syner also created and produced numerous awards shows to honor stunt performers and makeup and hair stylists.  In addition to The Stunt Awards Show, he created the 1st Annual Makeup and Hair Awards, for which he secured key partnerships with Dick Clark Productions, Hollywood.Com, Instyle and Max Factor; and booked talent including Holly Hunter, Brendan Frasier and Billy Bob Thornton.  His former company, DSUnlimited, produced the critically acclaimed play "Party" in nine U.S. cities, and developed ShowDown with producer/director Jeff Margolis (The Annual Screen Actor Guild Awards, American Music Awards, Miss America Pageant, Academy Awards, and Roseanne).

As a strong believer in community support and good corporate citizenship, Syner is an active member of numerous entertainment industry groups, including the Television Arts and Sciences (the Emmys®), the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (the Oscars®), Project Angel Food, Human Rights Campaign, GLADD and The Trevor Project.  A highly accomplished athlete, he has been involved with a variety of sports, such as boxing, biking and more; as well as associations such as the Sunshine Athletic Association and LA Sports Alliance.  In his spare time, Syner competes as a world champion amateur bowler.

DENISE ROSENSTEIN (U.S.A)

Denise Rosenstein is a documentary filmmaker and founder of the production company, Running River Media, formed to produce documentaries as well as videos for non-profits/NGOs to use as a tool for awareness, social change and fundraising.  She has also worked in both production and post-production on documentaries and factual televisions series for VH1, E!Style, History Channel, HGTV, TRT (Turkish Radio and Broadcasting Corporation) and film festivals.

Since producing/directing the film, HEALS-a story of hope for formerly abducted child soldiers and other war-affected children in northern Uganda- Denise has been active in outreach and fundraising activities for the local Ugandan organization, H.E.A.L.S (health, education, arts, literacy and sports).  H.E.A.L.S is a program dedicated to helping children in northern Uganda overcome challenges and realize their academic and creative potential.