Petru Cotarcea, ViolinistPetru Cotarcea is a virtuoso violinist and the founder of Lycaeum Music, a company that connects professional music educators with students. This fully integrated online platform offers flexible home lessons, online lessons, courses, workshops, and competitions for students to build a musical community. Cotarcea also built a MusicOnWheels bus, a refurbished musical double decker bus that offers free music lessons to students who normally can't afford it. Lycaeum Music has served over 9,000 children since its founding in 2017. His latest venture MuseCool works on building the future of music education for 5-11 year olds, with The Muse, an AI tool that understands live music lessons between tutors and their young students. Joe Pavlo, DirectorJoe Pavlo grew up in Minnesota and studied fine art at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Based in London for over forty years, he has directed two short films, produced feature documentaries, and worked as a second unit director on film and television productions. His parallel career in visual effects spans more than 120 projects and has earned him two Emmy Awards and a BAFTA nomination. Joe brings a passion for storytelling and a fascination with the intersection of technology and art to all his work as a filmmaker.

Kira is an accomplished creative and business professional, currently serving as the Executive Director of AFMX. She combines her background in business operations and entrepreneurship with her expertise as an award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director.

Lindsy Campbell is an American actress and award-winning filmmaker based in Albuquerque, NM. A graduate of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, she began her professional acting career with a co-star role on Longmire and has since appeared in The Messengers, Cents, Foreseeable, and The Short History of the Long Road starring Sabrina Carpenter. Her filmmaking journey began in 2010 and led to her award-winning directorial debut The Brazilian in 2013. After earning her B.A. in Media Arts from UNM, she directed The Divorce starring Navid Negahban and Laura Niemi, which opened the door to commercial campaigns and branded content.

Chad Terry has been making audiences laugh, cry, and occasionally cringe since 2000, with a career that spans film, television, theater, and podcasting. He’s the creator and host of Craft Beer and Comics: A Podcast, streaming on Spotify. On stage, Chad has portrayed standout roles like Gollum in Lord of the Rings, Remnar in Escanaba in Da Moonlight, and Carl in Lonely Planet, balancing larger-than-life performances with quiet emotional depth. He helped launch a theater group in Ridgecrest, California, previously served as City Producer for The 48 Hour Film Project in Denver and Albuquerque, and after a three-year hiatus has returned to produce once again in Albuquerque.

Minefield Film Festival.Aaron Alexander is a filmmaker and producer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the founder of Silence Fiction Films. He has directed and produced a range of projects, including the upcoming proof-of-concept short Bad River, featuring a cast of acclaimed actors. Aaron is also the Executive Director of the Mindfield Film Festival – Albuquerque, now entering its eighth year, where he has built an international platform that celebrates independent voices while connecting local filmmakers with the global community. With a background spanning directing, producing, and festival leadership, Aaron has developed a reputation for balancing creative vision with the practical demands of production. His projects are rooted in strong storytelling, cinematic style, and a commitment to fostering collaboration both on set and within the broader film community.Abby Max is a model, actress, producer, and digital creator based in New Mexico. Represented by DMe Talent Agency, she recently served as a producer on the proof-of-concept short Bad River and is the Operations Director of the Mindfield Film Festival – Albuquerque, where she plays a key role in building one of the Southwest’s most dynamic showcases for independent film. In addition, Abby is the Performing Arts Director for the Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico, where she creates opportunities for children living with cancer to explore acting, music, modeling, and other creative outlets. Her work reflects a passion for both the arts and the community, blending professional achievement with a deep commitment to making a difference.Christina Gopal is an actor, producer, manager, and modeling agent. Born and raised in Chicago, she relocated with her family to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2007 for her husband’s job. Christina holds a BS in Nursing from Grand Canyon University but transitioned to the entertainment industry in 2010. For the past 15 years, she has managed her sons’ acting and modeling careers, with both her and her sons represented by Presley Talent Agency. In 2014, Christina founded Diva’s Perfect Productions and has produced multiple films, including The UnExpecteds, Millenium Bugs, The Awakeover, Captive, and Rivals, as well as the award-winning YouTube series Diva’s Perfect Posse. She also produces photography shoots, workshops, and charity events. In 2018, she co-founded and was elected President of Cutie-Q, a non-profit educational resource for youth models. Christina is certified in Fashion Styling through the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and launched Perfect Models Management to mentormodels of all ages. In 2024, she was asked to join and lead the Modeling Division at DMe Talent Agency. Outside of her professional work, Christina enjoys watching the NM Ice Wolves and cheering on all Chicago sports teams (except the Cubs). She loves traveling with her family, with Italy being her favorite destination for its wine, food, and deep family ties.Gene Hunt is an actor, filmmaker, and the Associate Director of the Mindfield Film Festival – Albuquerque. He holds degrees in Theater and Construction Science from Kansas State University, blending a strong artistic foundation with practical expertise. After a successful career in construction, Gene returned to his creative roots, focusing on acting as his primary passion while also building projects as a filmmaker. With several recent standout roles, he continues to establish himself as a dynamic performer whose perspective strengthens both his own work and the broader independent film community.

Born in Laredo, Texas and raised in Mexico, Alejandro began his career in film by studying at the prestigious Vancouver Film School. In 2018, he was hand selected by director Robert Rodriguez to be a participant in his documentary series "REBEL WITHOUT A CREW". The film he produced on the show, "MONDAY", was screened at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival. Alejandro’s follow-up feature film, "Millennium Bugs", was crowdfunded and ultimately distributed by Indican Pictures. In 2022, he was inducted into the New Mexico Film Hall Of fame. The following year, 2023, he co-starred in Eva Longoria's film “Flamin’ Hot” and joined the Directors Guild of America. His third feature film, “The Unexpecteds”, was selected by Los Angeles Times as “one of 8 films to watch at the 2024 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival”, by renowned film reviewer Carlos Aguilar. He's currently at work on his fourth feature film “90 days in the 90’s”, based on the novel of the same name.

Originally from New Mexico, Michelle Tomlinson is an award-winning Actress with a long list of IMDb credits. A recipient of the bronze Best Director & Best Web/TV Pilot Award for the Palm City Film Festival for her Directing work in "Deeply Superficial," she loves working behind and in front of the camera. Tomlinson was first inspired by a conversation with former Governor James Mountain of San Ildefonso Pueblo about language being a living thing that can die and lead to catastrophic events for Native American cultures. That conversation started the journey that has become the documentary, "Edge." "Edge" has been shot in and around the Pueblos and at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in New Mexico, with Lori Bowen producing. Tomlinson is the Casting Director for the groundbreaking Narrative Podcast "Frijoles y Arroz" for creator James Charleston, and she is directing the Documentary, "Rise of the Millennial", with partner Kimberly Amato. Tomlinson recently Directed the deep emotional drama that addresses sexual assault, "Redemption" for creator James Charleston. "Redemption" was shot via Zoom during the pandemic in 2020. - IMDb mini biography by: Michelle

Film and Television Writer and Director Megan Griffiths and Writer and Producer Eliza FlugIn this episode, host Genevieve Trainor is speaking for the second time with film and television writer and director Megan Griffiths and for the first time with writer and producer Eliza Flug. They started working together in 2018, and both have multiple, acclaimed independent films under their belts. This episode will focus on their latest feature together, Year of the Fox, which Eliza wrote based on her own personal experiences. Megan and Eliza will also talk about their thoughts on independent film opportunities in this tough time for filmmakers and actors.

Adad Warda, Writer and Director

Jason Martinez -A seasoned producer of independent films and TV shows, Jason shows the utmost professionalism on set, whilst at the same time ensuring that cast and crew is well cared for. He is known for Millennium Bugs, The Unexpecteds, Rebel Without a Crew: The Series and the TV show Southern Hospitality. He has worked in New Mexico and around the USA.Levi Gordon -Levi Gordon's passion for film has driven him to forge his own path in the industry. He independently studied screenwriting and producing, which laid the foundation for his creative endeavors. Gordon's dedication culminated in the thought-provoking short film "The Hard R", which he wrote and executive-produced. The film delves into the complex issue of cultural appropriation, showcasing Gordon's ability to tackle relevant social themes through the medium of storytelling. Building on the success of his short film, Gordon has recently made significant strides by writing and collaborating on multiple feature-length screenplays, "Unwritten", "Iniquitous" and "Retreat of the Heart". These projects demonstrate Gordon's versatility as a writer and his commitment to bringing diverse narratives to the screen. With a keen eye for crafting compelling stories and a willingness to explore challenging subjects, Levi Gordon is emerging as a promising talent in the film industry. As he continues to develop his voice and collaborate with other creatives, audiences can anticipate thought-provoking and entertaining works from this rising screenwriter.