Meet The Team
Ambassador
Morris Chestnut
Morris Chestnut is an accomplished American actor and producer. He has built a remarkable career in film and television, showcasing his versatility and range as an actor.
Chestnut began his acting career in the late 1980s, later to appear in several TV series and films, gaining widespread recognition in "Boyz n the Hood" (1991) & The Best Man" (1999). In recwent years, Chestnut shifted to producing incl. "Rosewood" (2015-17), "The Resident" (2018-present) & "Outmatched" (2020).
Honorary Board Member
Gail Bean
Gail Bean is an American actress known for her roles in television and film. Bean started her acting career in 2011 & went on to appear in several independent films before landing her breakthrough role in the FX series "Snowfall" (2017-present).
Her performance in "Snowfall" has received critical acclaim, with many praising her raw & nuanced portrayal of a complex character. Bean has also appeared in other TV series, such as "Atlanta" (2016), "Chicago P.D." (2018), and "Queen Sugar" (2021).
Honorary Board Member
Jamal Hill
Jamal Hill is an accomplished film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his powerful storytelling and ability to bring authenticity to the screen.
Hill began his career in the film industry as an assistant director on the set of "The Sopranos" before transitioning to directing. His first feature film, "Money Power & Respect," received critical acclaim and set the stage for his future success. Hill is perhaps best known for his work on the movie "Brotherly Love".
Festival Manager/Programmer
Patrick Harris Jr
President of Collectiveffort, the agency that led design & project management for this festival, Patrick began his film career as a child on Sesame Street. In 2020, he co-produced his first feature film "Lunamancer" which won best film at the Philip K. Dick Sci-Fi Film Fest (2021) & Midwest Weird Fest (2022).
Programmer
Jamel Mosely
Serial entrepreneur and Albany native, Jamel Mosely is a well-rounded media professional and creative with an expansive portfolio consisting of content partnerships with Showtime, Puma, Hypebeast & Revolt. He is the co-founder of Collectiveffort as well as 3 other local companies and the 2022 Eddy's DJ of the Year.
Programmer
Micah Khan
Micah Khan is a filmmaker & producer from NY's Capital Region. Micah is known for Safe House (2018), Meetcute on Danceworld (2020) and Exactly What You Need (2015). Recently, Khan directed Zombie Wedding starring Heather Matarazzo, Seth Gilliam, Cheri Oteri, Vincent Pastore and more!