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Zed Fest Film Festival is honored to have this wonderful group of talented advisors, judges, and supporters.
KelseyZukowski SarahNicklin KelseyZukowski James Smart    
Maritza Brikisak Sarah Nicklin Kelsey Zukowski James Smart    
           
James Smart

International Actress, Producer and Editor. Born in Santiago, Chile. Has lived and worked in the film industry for 12 years, started in Canada, then England and now Los Angeles.  Loves all types of films and the Horror Genre will always hold a special place in her heart.  A previous recipient for outstanding acting award by Zed Fest, is thrilled to be part of the Judging Advisory Board and excited to bring a female prospective into the mix.

Maritza's Website: www.MaritzaWeb.com
Maritza's IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm1804421/

 
 
 
 
   
Sarah Nicklin   BACK TO TOP

Sarah Nicklin

Sarah Nicklin

SARAH NICKLIN is a four-time award nominated actress and co-owner of The Workshop Spot. She has a lot of experience working in indie films, especially in the horror and SyFy genres with over 50 credits to her name. 

While mainly an actress, she works behind the camera and has produced, edited, and worked crew on several films. Sarah loves every aspect of the filmmaking process and is a advocate for indie films.

She's very excited to be able to be part of Zed Fest this year and looks forward to seeing everyone's entries!

IMDB Sarah Nicklin
Sarah's Website sarahnicklin.com

 
   
Kelsey Zukowski   BACK TO TOP
James Smart

Kelsey Zukowski is an experienced and passionate screenwriter, actress, and film journalist, specializing in the horror genre through dark examination. She is a big supporter of indie. She is drawn to horror that dives in to the potential for light and darkness within human nature and society, utilizing the genre to bring out depth and power surrounding unspeakable horrors.

Zukowski has had roles in recent indie horror films Axe to Grind, Middle of the Night, and Forgotten Tales. Words Like Knives, the psychological horror short she wrote, produced, and stars in is continuing its festival run as an official selection of the Twisted Tales in Dallas, Texas this December. The film is a surreal exploration of the power damaging words, bullying, and various forms of abuse can hold over the psyche. Zukowski has recently completed a paranormal feature, Within These Walls, which will be making a festival run shortly.

She wrote, produced, and starred in the film as well, which is a very disturbing and surreal take on the haunted house film. It follows one girl who is forced to be a complete prisoner in her own home and in her own body. She is tormented physically, mentally, and emotionally by an invisible spirit as her thirst for the truth and survival are put to the test.

Words Like Knives Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7psmUJpSezE
Words Like Knives IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2624690/?ref_=nm_knf_t1
Words Like Knives on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RumorsCanKill
Within These Walls IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3546802/?ref_=nm_knf_i3
Within These Walls on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/withinthesewallsmovie
Kelsey Zukowski Website:http://kelseyzukowski.com/
Kelsey on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3857479/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
   
James Smart   BACK TO TOP
James Smart
 
 

From a very young age I've loved watching films. No sooner had I watched Star Wars on the television then The Empire Strikes Back was released at the cinemas. I went to see that twice. Clash Of The Titans followed but it was Raiders Of The Lost Ark that made a huge impact on me as it was the first time that I wanted to find out how the baddies head melted and how the other one's head blew up!  I can clearly remember asking my dad how this happened….how was it done?

Very soon I was interested in the making of films and what goes on behind the scenes. Film tie-in magazines with The Temple of Doom illustrated the cameras, actors and matte paintings Behind the scenes TV documentaries on Empire/Return Of The Jedi helped to open my eyes further.

When my dad purchased something called a video recorder it opened a door to a world full of action, horror, comedy, science fiction and kung-fu! My old man used to return home on a weekend with a stack off sometimes ten video cassettes. Highlander, Krull and Beverly Hills Cop rubbed shoulders with films like Stuff, Neon Maniacs, Kindred, C.H.U.D, The Video Dead, House, Troll, Ghoulies, Xtro, Return Of The living Dead, Razorback and The Lost Boys…to name but a minuscule few.

Living in England there were many films that were banned or severely censored. That was until an American friend in the late 80's introduced me to The Exorcist, Texas Chainsaw, Dawn Of The Dead, Deliverance and a whole host of other films which had, until that time escaped me.

Throughout school and college my interest in films and filmmaking grew. I watched Hollywood fare in addition to all kinds of indie horrors and genre films. I went to Uni and obtained a degree in Documentary Production. Along the way I shot a few horror shorts. This was followed by a Post Grad in Broadcast Journalism. I enjoyed working as a TV news cameraman/editor for several years and as a sideline, started shooting promos and corporate/training films for organisations and companies.

Ten years later and I run my own one man band video production company. I've had a chance to travel a bit with work and I get to meet lots of different people and see some amazing things. 

Along the way, I've continued to shoot little horror shorts and worked on friends and colleagues larger film projects. However, ZOMBIES are my absolute favourite! I've contributed toward several zombie film projects, including a Bafta Nominated zombie film project with the BBC. I've also enjoyed making cheesy trailers for zombie films that don't exist.

When I heard about Zed Fest it seemed like an opportunity too good to miss! My naff, cheesy little zombie film trailer had a chance to get seen by film fans in a real cinema! Wow! How awesome is that?!

I was hugely proud in 2010 that, firstly anyone would even watch my zombie trailer but secondly that it had been awarded a trio of grin inducing awards! :)

2010 - Zombie Flesh Bastards - '3rd Place - Zombie Shorts Contest', 'Best Voice Over' and 'Best Blood Splatter'

In 2013 I submitted a new trailer entitled, Zombinos! Zombinos! Zombinos!  Once again I was dumbfounded to have been awarded the 'Outstanding Trailer Spoof' award!

ZED FEST RULES!

This year I have been invited to view and judge all of the submissions and films for Zed Fest 2014! I am very honoured and excited to be part of this process and am utterly blow away by the quality of films. There are some truly outstanding horror/genre shorts and I have nothing but the utmost respect to everyone who has submitted a film. You're spoiling this judge with some hugely entertaining films.  The festival this year will be utterly awesome!

 
 
   
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