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
- Ashley Alif | Creative Services Producer, WCPO-TV
- 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
- Cliff Jenkins | Video Manager, Xavier University
- Chris Lewis | Owner/Producer, Focus Media Studios
- David Butler, Sr. | TV Production Specialist
- David Hartz | Animation Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati
- Deb Silverman | Senior Video Communications Leader, GE Aviation
- Doug Yeager | Owner, “I Do” Video
- Emily Foster | Communications and Press Manager, Milwaukee Film Festival
- Erin Kirby | Video Freelancer, Erin Kirby Productions
- Grant Kattman | Sound Producer/Designer, Red Echo Post
- Harry Boeddeker | Marketing Manager, WPTA-TV / WISE-TV
- J. Andrew Thames | Freelance Cinematographer/Videographer
- Jacob Stuart | Screenwriter, Screenwriting Staffing
- Jacob Ufkes | Photographer, Vesta Visuals Collective
- Jake Reynolds | Filmmaker, Production Every-Man
- James Waters II | President, Canton Film Festival
- Jamie Allender | Freelance Cinematographer
- Jason Robinson | Live Video Producer/DP, Southland Christian Church
- Jennifer Laubach | Art Department/PR/Creative Writer, Freelance
- Jennifer Tadlock |President, Abatad Flicks
- JJ Painter | Animation & Virtual Reality Designer, Prestige AV & Creative Services
- John Calhoun | Owner, OPERATOR Film & Design
- John Hebbeler | Assistant Professor, Electronic Media Division/CCM, University of Cincinnati
- John McDaniel | Head of Production, Barefoot Proximity
- Joseph Cox | Owner, Average Joe Films
- Joseph Langenbrunner | Online Advertising Rep, Automotive Marketing Firm
- Julie Ivers | Props Assistant, God Friended Me CBS-TV
- Justin Moore | Senior Instructional Media Developer, Paycor
- Katie Ferchen | Advocacy Associate, Educational Theatre Association
- Katie Price Ross | Word of Mouth Marketing Specialist & Producer, Empower
- Katie Sammons, Media Production Specialist, Freelance
- Kim Kemper | Executive Producer, ITC
- Lakshmi Tirumala | Assistant Professor, SUNY Plattsburgh
- Larry Marvar | Producer/Director, Marvar Media
- Laura Manhardt | Social Media/Communications, The Walt Disney Company
- Lucas Ostrowski | Assistant Professor, Bowling Green State University
- Mallory Gantenberg | Digital Media Coordinator, Cedar Fair Entertainment
- Mamadou Papis Sylla | Filmmaker, MGBFilmsTV
- Marc Miller | Director/Cameraman/Editor, Tell-My-Story.com
- Marcelina Robledo | Founder/Executive Producer, Beer Food Film Festival
- Maria Gigante | Assistant Professor of Practice, Cleveland State University
- Mark Czarnik | Owner, A-1 Professional Video
- Mark Deeter | Director of Post Production, Deeter Post
- 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
- Matt Neckers | Creative Media Art & Design Instructor, Green Mountain Tech
- Michael Evans | Video Coordinator, Back2Back Ministries
- Michael Whitely | Founder, Inspirational Media International
- Natalie Blake | Art Coordinator/Set Dresser, Carousel Productions
- Natalie Henry | Owner, Proudcherokee Productions
- Nathan Filbrandt | Videographer/Editor, College of Alameda
- Nick Rue | Owner, Foma Films
- Norm Freitag | Senior Digital Video Editor/Ventuz Programmer, MIG (Multi Image Group)
- Paul Streiner | Video Editor & Motion Graphics, Freelance
- Phil Amato | Partner, PheelGood Films
- Rachel Sachs Valerio | eLearning Production Specialist/Freelance Video Production/Post Production, Miami University
- Randy Ragsdale | Photographer/Editor, Hearst TV
- Ray Woishek | Art/Film Teacher, St. George’s School
- Richard Mason | Director, Acting in Columbus
- Richard J McCollough | Producer/Director/Videographer, Mirusmedia
- Robert Bodle | Associate Professor of Communication and New Media Studies, Mount St. Joseph University
- Sam Nahem | Founder, ScreenPlay Inc.
- Sam Womelsdorf | Producer/Director, PPS Group
- Sean Coffman | Executive Director, The Human Family
- Selena Burks-Rentschler | Producer/Screenwriter, Freelance
- Shane Pergrem | Filmmaker, True Artists Studio
- Shane Reinert | Documentary Filmmaker
- Shannon Clark | Freelance Producer, Fox19
- Stephan Pratt | Chair of Fine Arts, Stevenson School
- Sunho Donovan | Producer/Director, American Dreamers LLC
- Tim Duebber | Senior Video Production Consultant, The Christ Hospital
- Tim Swallow | Founder/CEO, Cincinnati World Cinema
- Tim Wales | Senior Executive Producer, Prestige AV & Creative Services
- Tom Gross | Freelance Editor and Producer
- Tony Deemer | Co-Owner, Double Dag Productions
- Todd Herzog | Professor, University of Cincinnati
- Traci Dunn | Owner/Manager, Engage! Communication Works LLC
- Wayne Baker | All-Media Journalist, Dayton Daily News
- Wendy Anthony | Instructor, Xavier University
- William G. Jones | Creative Director, Clothesline Promotional Products
- William H. Dunlap | Owner/Producer, Double Take Studios
- Zach Paulus | Animator, Flaming Medusa Animation
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.
- Cole Marvin | Belmont University, Motion Pictures Major
- Jeremy Morall | University of Cincinnati, Electronic Med
- Leah Klosterman | Ohio University, Integrated Media
- Makayla Hufziger | Webster University, Film, Television & Media Production
- Olivia Schappacher | Columbia College, Cinematic Art and Science
- Zoe Cheng | University of Southern California, Writing for Screen & Television