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THE JUDGES
Naresh Adurty
Naresh Adurty has been entertaining audiences all over the country with his unique “East-meets-West” style of comedy. You may have seen him on HBO’s Sketch Pad or Lowdown with James Yon on Xfinity, or you may have caught him live sharing the stage with the likes of Dave Chapelle, Carlos Mencia, Ron White, Mitch Hedberg and Pablo Francisco. He is also the writer and director of the comedy feature film Melt On This which won the award for the best feature film at the Golden State Film Festival.
Belinda Plata
Belinda Plata is a passionate advocate for the entertainment industry, having traveled the globe to explore and appreciate diverse films and television. An avid moviegoer and film critic, she brings a wealth of experience as a judge at film festivals. Belinda has not only shaped young minds but has also applied her passion for storytelling to her work. With over 44 years in education, Belinda has supported diverse student populations as a bilingual educator and has coached and judged talent from multiple sports in Texas, including volleyball, basketball, and girls' wrestling. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree, she retired in 2021 and now enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her children and grandchildren, blending her love for storytelling with her extensive background in education and sports.
Adam Ben-Evi
Adam Ben-Evi is a seasoned film producer and the proud owner of Studio D3 Orlando, a multimedia production facility in Central Florida. With over two decades of experience in film and business, Adam has been instrumental in producing a wide range of projects, from independent films to commercial productions. His expertise in leading creative teams and managing large-scale productions has made him a strong collaborator in the industry. Beyond his work in the studio, Adam has also played a pivotal role as a mentor to aspiring filmmakers and entrepreneurs, continually supporting the growth of the creative community. As a judge for this festival, Adam is excited to bring his extensive knowledge of film and production to the table, helping to recognize and celebrate emerging talent.
Vince Desai
Vince Desai is a versatile professional with a career spanning film production, acting, finance, and land development. Beginning his journey in live theater production and acting in Canada, Vince transitioned to Orlando, Florida, where he has continued to make an impact in both the entertainment and real estate industries. His diverse portfolio includes producing stage plays, serving as executive producer for the feature film Project ISIX, and acting in Not for Human Consumption and MTV's The Inbetweeners. In addition to his creative work, Vince is an experienced financier actively seeking investment opportunities in innovative film projects, while also excelling in land development, showcasing his expertise across multiple sectors.
Alpa Raval
Alpa Raval has experience as a model, appearing in TV show commercials, and has also been a beauty pageant winner and runner-up in two pageants. She has captivated audiences as a TV show host and ran her own successful radio show, showcasing her creativity and ability to engage audiences. In addition to her media experience, she is a teacher, speaker and researcher with a PhD in yoga, specializing in holistic health and lifestyle therapy. Focused on improving mental, physical, and emotional well-being, she has been passionate about singing and dancing and has performed on stage since childhood. Alpa Raval brings a unique blend of storytelling, wellness expertise, and passion for the arts to the judging panel, ready to help recognize and celebrate emerging talent.
Thamara Bejarano
Thamara Bejarano is the Executive Director and founder of Open Scene, a Latina-led multicultural hub in Orlando, Florida, established in 2019. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Bejarano is a Journalist with Master's degrees in Audiovisual Management and Education for Creative Media. Her diverse career spans advertising, HBO network roles, and teaching Film Studies at the Central University of Venezuela. In Florida, she transitioned from Stage Manager and Producer to full-time Director, launching initiatives like the Latin Performing Arts Festival and "Escena Abierta" Playwriting Contest. Bejarano is also an active member of various cultural and arts organizations, including the Inter-American Press Association and the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, and has served as a panelist for the State of Florida Division of Arts and Culture.
Mayur Acharya
Mayur Acharya is a Businessman, Producer, Writer and above all, A dedicated Actor. He has been a full time actor for 9 years in Bollywood in Mumbai, He has been part of Theaters, Television series and Commercials in India. He has been part of many National commercials for the USA ,Canada and India. He owns a turnkey full set up media studio in Orlando, Florida.He teaches acting and performing arts to upcoming talents.With his team they have produced 4 films in the USA that are on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Tubi and BET+ kind of platforms successfully. Served as a Board of Director for Shakespeare Theatre Orlando and is constantly looking to develop his contribution for the world of performing arts. Along with all the Businesses and activities, Acting has been an integral part of his life that he loves adhering to. He holds a very deep interest in world music and movies from all cultures. He believes there is no better way to understand a culture other than movies.
Dolly Patel
Dolly Patel is an Indian American Actor, Producer and Mentor in the Creative Media like TV, Commercials, Theatres and Movies. Strong philanthropist as well serial entrepreneur with a vast reach in various sectors like Finance, Textile, Distribution, Immigration, Movie Production Etc. She owns a movie studio in Orlando that provides a platform to so many upcoming and talented people from all across the state and the nation. StudioD3 is her humble attempt to keep connected with the creative industry and to be a Plinth for them all to grow. She served as a Board of Director for Shakespeare Theatre Group, Orlando. She has worked as an Actor for more than 20 years and has been the protagonist and a main face of many institutions nationwide, Florida Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, Orlando Health, Disney, Universal Studios, One Touch Glucometer and many more. She also is an Acting and Dancing coach and Mentor for hundreds of young kids.She has produced 5 movies so far, All of them are doing great on Apple TV, Prime, BET+, Tubi like platforms. She is passionate about everything she does. She loves movies and believes movies are a great medium to change lives, People, and even societies in a good and powerful way.
Roque Correa
Roque Correa is a seasoned film and media producer with over 30 years of experience as a writer, photographer, and editor. Holding a bachelor's degree in communication studies and journalism, and a postgraduate degree in screenwriting, Correa has made significant contributions to both the creative and educational sectors of the industry. He created and directed the international diploma program "Desde el Guión Hasta la Gestión" in collaboration with the University of Antioquia and the Colombian Ministry of Culture, fostering the development of future filmmakers. After immigrating to Canada in 2010, he continued his work as an independent media producer and later moved to Central Florida, where he co-founded CREA Communications, a production company, and works as a licensed Realtor®. Correa’s career reflects a deep passion for storytelling and education, impacting the film industry across multiple countries.
Steve Haining
Steve Haining is an international award winning film director, DOP and a 2x Guinness World Record breaking underwater portrait photographer who has worked with some of the biggest names in music and film. His stacked resume hosts some huge industry awards including the Canadian Cinematography award, the Los Angeles Photography award and the prestigious 40 under Forty and many more. His films have been published on broadcast television and major streaming services in the USA, UK and Canada. He has worked with brands like Fujifilm, Universal Music, MTV, Yamaha, Warner, and Vagrant records to name a few. In his free time when hes not jet setting from project to project he spends his free time teaching film making workshops for several school boards across north America.