Judges

Erwin Raphael McManus

Author and Cultural Architect

Erwin Raphael McManus is an author, speaker, activist, filmmaker, artist and innovator who specializes in the field of developing and unleashing personal and organizational creativity, uniqueness, innovation and diversity. In other words, he gets bored really easily. He is Curator of McManus Studios, the lead communicator of Mosaic, and the catalyst behind Awaken Humanity.

Ralph Winter

Film Producer

Ralph Winter’s most recent work includes producing PLANET OF THE APES and X-MEN. Other work includes STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY and STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME, which was nominated for four Academy Awards. His award winning short film is entitled OPIE GONE MAD. Ralph is still married to his high-school sweetheart. “Short films are great fun, having made several myself. This type of film needs more recognition.”

Cress Williams

Actor

Cress Williams was born in Heidelberg Germany. Shortly after his birth he left Germany for Chicago. He moved with his mother to California when he was three. He grew up primarily in Orange County. He attended Fullerton Community College where he received his theatre and acting foundation. Much later he completed his theatre degree at UCLA. While in school and since Cress has performed in over 20 plays. Some include Othello, Elephant Man, Extremities, and Red Noses. Towards the end of college his film and television career began. He has been a working actor since 92 some of his credits include shows and movies like. Two Days in the Valley, Living Single, ER, Never Been Kissed, Little Black Book, NYPD BLUE, Nash Bridges and more recently: West Wing, Veronica Mars, Close to Home, Prison Break and Grey’s Anatomy. He currently finished working on the show Cold Case. He would like to say simply God Bless to all.

Heather Somaini

Lionsgate Chief of Staff

Heather Somaini joined Lionsgate in 2003 and currently serves as Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO overseeing many things great and small. Heather has been dutifully toiling away in the entertainment industry for the past 15 years including the William Morris Agency, Saban Entertainment, Fox Kids and the Fox Family Channel. Heather graduated with a B.S. in Film from Syracuse University.

Simon Swart

FOX Executive

Simon Swart is Executive Vice President of Sales at 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Prior to this appointment, he served as Senior Vice President of Sales and achieved record-setting revenues and profits. Under Swart’s guidance, Fox Home Entertainmet has garnered numerous accolades from its retail partners. Most recently, Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world named Twentieth Century Fox its Vendor of the Year. The company also received Best Buy’s “Best Of The Best” Award, marking the first entertainment company to earn that distinction. Swart and his group have been instrumental in growing the company’s catalog business to record profits and launching the TV-DVD business with dedicated retail sections across key accounts. Previously, Swart held positions of increasing responsibility at Warner Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Christina Lee Storm

Accelerated Entertainment Partner & Producer

Christina Lee Storm is an international independent producer whose experience in both Asia and the U.S. has enabled her to collaborate with talented independent filmmakers from around the world. She is a partner and producer for Accelerated Entertainment that works closely with Ralph Winter (X—Men,Wolverine) who is on the advisory board for the company. Her most recent producing credits include The Least of These staring Isaiah Washington, To Save A Life which is being distributed by Goldwyn Films January 2010, and Flesh, a documentary about the widely overlooked, yet widespread practice of human trafficking in the United States. Christina is a member of the Producers Guild of America and serves on its National Board of Directors.

Richard Kobritz

Columbia College Hollywood President and C.E.O.

Richard Kobritz developed and produced 3 feature films (Fear, Alien Nation, and Christine), 3 television movies (Java Flats, Chiller, Salem’s Lot, and Someone is Watching Me), and 1 mini-series. His productions garnered 3 Oscar nominations, 6 Emmy nominations, 2 Saturn awards, and 1 Cable Ace award. He is currently the President and C.E.O. of Columbia College Hollywood.