Selection Team
Zoe Esser
A Minnesota native, Zoe Esser pursued her passion for film at Minnesota State University Moorhead. As a producer and studio manager at Current Resident, a leading production and post-production house in Minneapolis, Zoe works closely with a wide range of clients and agencies. Her portfolio spans a wide spectrum, including local cable broadcasts, feature films, and collaborations with brands such as Nicolet Law, RuPaul's Drag Race, and North Memorial Health. Zoe's commitment and excellence makes her an indispensable asset on every project she works on.
Passionate about nurturing young talent and fostering the growth of Minnesota's film and entertainment industry, Zoe emphasizes, 'You don't have to relocate to the coasts to create exceptional work! Minnesota offers abundant opportunities for emerging artists, supported by resources to facilitate your journey.' She encourages all participants to showcase their creativity and looks forward to witnessing the wealth of talent in submissions.
Mo Perz
Mo is a talented emerging artist with a keen eye for capturing images that engage and inspire viewers, and his journey as an editor has not only honed his technical skills, but also enriched his storytelling abilities. Through his work, Mo weaves together visuals and narratives that reflect his unique perspective and life experiences.
His youthful energy and fresh perspective bring a dynamic and vibrant element to every project, and as a selection judge, Mo’s influence adds a valuable dimension to the evaluation process, offering insightful critiques and recognizing potential in emerging talent.
LIZA OLSON
Originally from Atwater, in west central Minnesota, Liza Olson is a professional Story Analyst in Hollywood, where she has evaluated scripts and books for Netflix, various production companies, talent agencies, managers, and writers.
Liza was the Vice President of Creative Affairs at a film finance company and has served as a judge for screenplay competitions, including for Silicon Valley’s Cinequest Film Festival.
Prior to working in the entertainment industry, Liza was a News Producer for the NBC television station in the San Francisco Bay Area and at KBJR in Duluth. She earned a B.A. in Communication from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and studied screenwriting and feature film development at UCLA Extension.
DEREK HUGHES
Derek grew up in Minnesota and studied acting at the University of Minnesota. In 1997 Derek and his collaborator were awarded First Place in Stage Magic by the International Brotherhood of Magicians for their performance "Express Train".
Derek is a consulting producer on TruTV's hit series The Carbonaro Effect. He has performed magic on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and as a top ten finalist on NBC's America’s Got Talent.
Acting credits include Mr. Deeds with Adam Sandler and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Dan Schneidkraut
Dan is a writer, director, editor, and occasional camera operator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has been honored with two McKnight Fellowships (2010/2016) and The Creative Capital Award for Moving Image (2015), acknowledging his innovative work in both narrative and documentary filmmaking.
Employing unconventional structures, poetic imagery, and immersive soundscapes, Dan creates thought-provoking narratives that challenge conventional storytelling norms. Exploring themes such as technological isolation, destructive masculinity, generational violence, and the commodification of human suffering by the media industry, among other things.
His films have garnered international recognition and have been featured at esteemed venues and film festivals worldwide, including the Anthology Film Archives, The Walker Art Center, MoMA, Fantastic Fest, and the Ann Arbor Film Festival.
NaTalie Morrow
Natalie founded The Twin Cities Black Film Festival in 2002 where she serves as CEO. TCBFF is a discovery and showcase for emerging filmmakers of color and other ethnicities. TCBFF also provides a platform for industry professionals from around the country to see emerging talent from various genres.
Founded in 2002, TCBFF has showcased more than 500 Filmmakers, have shown more than 700 films and documentaries, numerous panel discussions and festival mixers.
Morrow has been honored by the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves, Metropolitan Airport Commission, Comcast's Who's Who in Minnesota in 2005, 2010 and 2014. Morrow has also won Promoter of the Year and Fresh Face of the Month by First Friday in 2009.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Natalie moved to Minneapolis in 1987. She worked for Northwest Airlines for 12 Years before beginning her career promoting and organizing music and film events.
Former Selection Team Members
Nick Hansen
Nick, the creative director at Bashan Creations, boasts over a decade of video production experience. He graduated with honors from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2009, majoring in filmmaking. Nick's multifaceted talents as a director, writer, producer, and actor have graced esteemed platforms like the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival and The Duluth-Superior Film Festival. Alongside his creative endeavors, Nick is actively engaged in mental health advocacy.
Nathan G. O’Brien
Nathan is a Minneapolis-based artist, writer, and publisher passionate about youth culture and empowerment. He works as a Senior Staff Writer at Scene Point Blank, covering independent media, music, film, art, and culture. Nathan founded HotDogDayz, a self-publishing art conglomerate specializing in zines, cassettes, and apparel, and publishes the quarterly magazine Soda Killers. He also co-ran the DIY gallery Back Alley Gallery in Lowertown St. Paul and holds a BFA with an emphasis in broadcast and video production/editing from Bemidji State University.