Become a Judge
The Golden Lion Awards are judged by film/media professionals in industry and universities, recognizing outstanding high school filmmakers in and around the Midwest. We are currently looking for insightful people to review the Golden Lion Award submissions. All media will be available for judging online. You will have the opportunity to network with other media professionals through your judging experience. To become a judge, complete the Online Judges’ Form.
Meet Our Judges
High School Judging Panel
The Golden Lion Awards’ judging panel is made up of professional filmmakers, directors, producers, scriptwriters, art directors, and professors, all of whom have a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge in Film and Media.
- A.B. Osborne | Animation Professor, Augusta University
- Aaron Allen | Contract Video Specialist, F&W Media
- Alex Schroff | Video Specialist, GE Aviation
- Alyx McLaughlin | Owner & Freelance Photographer/Cinematographer, Cryptographic Media
- Anastasia Fryer | Marketer/Graphic Designer/Photographer, Unistrut Midwest
- Bekah Nunn | Program Liaison for Animation & Cinematic Arts, Columbus College of Art & Design
- Ben Stumpf | Documentary Filmmaker/Film Teacher, Concord Academy
- Brad Libis | Adjunct Professor, Northern Kentucky University
- Brandi Whitewolf | Video Producer, Dimensional Fund Advisors
- Brandon Prewitt | Co-Founder, Studio 605
- Brant Schulz | Press Producer, Cindependent Film Festival
- Chris Gliebe | Executive Creative Director, Lightborne
- Colton Bose | Film/Video Director/Screenwriter/Editor
- David Butler, Sr. | TV Production Specialist
- David Hartz | Animation Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati
- Doug Yeager | Owner, “I Do” Video
- Elisabeth Donaldson | Actress/Director/Photographer
- Erin Kirby | Video Freelancer, Erin Kirby Productions
- Grant Kattman | Sound Producer/Designer, Red Echo Post
- James Waters II | President, Canton Film Festival
- Jamie Allender | Freelance Cinematographer
- Jason Robinson | Live Video Producer/DP, Southland Christian Church
- Jeff Bucalo | Co-Founder/Producer, Yellowhaus Studios
- John McDaniel | Head of Production, Barefoot Proximity
- Joseph Langenbrunner | Online Advertising Rep, Automotive Marketing Firm
- Julie Ivers | Props Assistant, God Friended Me CBS-TV
- Julie Marie Hassett | Partner/Writer/Actress/Producer, Red Love Film
- Justin Moore | Senior Instructional Media Developer, Paycor
- Katarina Brankov | Board of Directors, Women in Film & Television, Ohio
- Lucas Ostrowski | Assistant Professor, Bowling Green State University
- Mallory Gantenberg | Digital Media Coordinator, Cedar Fair Entertainment
- Marc Miller | Director/Cameraman/Editor, Tell-My-Story.com
- Maria Gigante | Assistant Professor of Practice, Cleveland State University
- Mark Czarnik | Owner, A-1 Professional Video
- Mark Lammers | Executive Producer, Public Media Connect (CET-Cincinnati/ThinkTV- Dayton
- Mark Turner | Producer/Director, Above the Line Media
- Marty Pack | Freelance Human Rights Documentary Producer/Teacher, Columbus Public Schools
- McKinley Pierce | Editor/Mixer, SoundRecordist
- Meghan Kelley | Art Director, Freelance
- Michael Whitely | Founder, Inspirational Media International
- Michael Ivey | Director/Storyteller, Freelance
- Nathan Filbrandt | Videographer/Editor, College of Alameda
- Nick Rue | Owner, Foma Films
- Norm Freitag | Senior Digital Video Editor/Ventuz Programmer, MIG (Multi Image Group)
- Phil Amato | Partner, PheelGood Films
- Randy Ragsdale | Photographer/Editor, Hearst TV
- Richard J McCollough | Producer/Director/Videographer, Mirusmedia
- Rocky Karlage | President, Ghost Walk Studios
- Sam Nahem | Founder, ScreenPlay Inc.
- Sean Coffman | Executive Director, The Human Family
- Shane Reinert | Documentary Filmmaker
- Stephan Pratt | Chair of Fine Arts, Stevenson School
- Steve Ziegelmeyer | Owner, Ziegelmeyer Photography, Inc.
- Steve Thornton | Owner, Steve Thornton Photography
- Terrence Ekot | Model/Producer/Creative Director
- Thomas O. Miller | Sketch Artist/Ilustrator/Animator
- Tim Duebber | Senior Video Production Consultant, The Christ Hospital
- Tim Wales | Senior Executive Producer, Prestige AV & Creative Services
- Tom Gross | Freelance Editor and Producer
- Todd Herzog | Professor, University of Cincinnati
- Traci Dunn | Owner/Manager, Engage! Communication Works LLC
- Wayne Baker | All-Media Journalist, Dayton Daily News
- William G. Jones | Creative Director, Clothesline Promotional Products
- William H. Dunlap | Owner/Producer, Double Take Studios
Middle School Judging Panel
The Golden Lion Awards Middle School judging panel is made up of former Golden Lion Award winners and participants who are currently majoring in a Film or Media Major at the college level.
- Zoe Cheng | University of Southern California, Writing for Screen & Television
- Makayla Hufziger | Webster University, Film, Television & Media Production
- Luke Sacksteder | Belmont University, Motion Picture Program