STXIFF JUDGES

SANDRA AVILA

A 25-year veteran of the entertainment industry, Sandra Avila has built an impressive track record as an executive, producer, and literary manager. She is the Founder & CEO of Media Evolution Group Ltd., a management and production company where she oversees a roster of film and television writers and directors while also producing film and television content. Most recently, she executive produced the docu-reality series American Honey for Tubi, which premiered during World Earth Week. She also serves as COO of Super Studios USA, a company focused on developing state-of-the-art soundstage and mixed-use production facilities in Texas and Louisiana. Designed as an integrated ecosystem for creators, the company’s vision includes world-class production infrastructure, on-site residential and hospitality amenities, and a dedicated trade school aimed at training the next generation of film and television professionals. In addition to studio operations, Super Studios USA plans to launch a production fund to develop and finance original film and television content through the studio platform itself.

Previous to this, for seven years Avila served as Partner and Literary Manager at Inclusion Management, a company she helped build from the ground up with a focus on championing talented and diverse storytellers. Some of her clients include: David Blue Garcia (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Tejano), Julio Quintana (upcoming film - Angel and the Bad Man, Blue Miracle, The Long Game), Marcella Ochoa (Madres), Boise Esquerra, (The Black Demon), Carlos Cisco (Star Trek: Discovery) Saray Guidetti (NBC’s The Blacklist).

Avila began her career in television development at Showtime Networks, where she worked as an assistant and coordinator on acclaimed series including Queer as Folk, Dexter, Resurrection Blvd., and Barbershop. During that time, she also oversaw the Latino Filmmaker Showcase, which highlighted Latino filmmakers from around the world during Hispanic Heritage Month.

She later joined Maya Entertainment, founded by Moctesuma Esparza, where she served as a development executive for four years. There, she co-executive produced Lifetime’s One Hot Summer and developed Gregory Nava’s miniseries adaptation of Rain of Gold with HBO.

In 2012, Avila launched her own banner, Avila Entertainment, where she produced the family chess drama Endgamestarring Rico Rodriguez, Efren Ramirez, and Justina Machado, as well as the independent pilot Table Manners starring Oscar-nominated actress Monica Barbaro.

Avila earned her B.A. from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, and her J.D. from Loyola Law School. In 2018, she was recognized as a “Latina of Influence” by Hispanic Lifestyle and was named one of NALIP’s “TV Producers on the Rise” at MIP Cancun 2016.

Begüm Aylin Önder

Assoc. Prof. Begüm Aylin Önder is an academic and designer working in the fields of visual communication design, digital media, and AI-based creative practices. Her work critically explores the impact of emerging technologies and AI-driven production tools on visual storytelling. 

She currently serves as the Head of the Digital Game Design Department at Istanbul Atlas University and teaches both theoretical and practice-based courses at the Faculty of Communication and Faculty of Education at Marmara University. Her research and creative practice focus on visual meaning and contemporary visual culture.

Throughout her academic career, she has held administrative roles such as Department Chair and Vice Dean, and has contributed to her field through international projects, exhibitions, and scholarly publications.

She has served as a jury member, curator, speaker, and organizer in numerous national and international exhibitions, festivals, and academic platforms. Following her professional experience in the media industry, she transitioned into academia, where she further developed her work on visual storytelling and media production. Her work focuses on narrative structures, visual language, and contemporary modes of representation. In addition, she is currently working as a screenwriter and art director, continuing her creative production in the field of cinema.

JOE CASTRO

Joe Castro is an acclaimed special effects artist, director, and filmmaker known for his bold, boundary-pushing work in the world of low-budget horror and exploitation cinema. With a career spanning several decades, Castro has become a staple of underground genre films, specializing in gruesome practical effects, inventive creature designs, and darkly comedic tones. 

Born with a passion for horror films, Castro began his career in the 1980s, honing his craft in special effects and makeup for independent productions. His early work showed an undeniable knack for creating visceral, over-the-top gore that captured the raw energy of exploitation films. As his skills grew, so did his reputation, eventually leading to his involvement in several cult classics and directorial projects. 

Perhaps one of his most unexpected and exciting moments came when he served as a special effects artist on El Mariachi(1992), Robert Rodriguez's groundbreaking debut film. Castro's contribution to the low-budget classic helped further cement his reputation in the industry as someone capable of achieving big-budget results on a modest budget.  

Castro is perhaps best known for his work on Terror Toons (2002), a campy, violent, and surreal horror film that blends elements of animation with live-action gore. As the director and special effects artist, Castro crafted a visually chaotic world where cartoonish violence meets gory mayhem, solidifying his place in the genre’s pantheon. The film became a cult hit, praised for its unapologetic embrace of absurdity and its boundary-pushing effects. 

Following the success of Terror Toons, Castro continued to work in the realms of low-budget horror and slasher films. He directed and provided effects for The Jackhammer Massacre (2005), a brutal and intentionally absurd slasher that cemented his reputation for merging shocking violence with a darkly comedic touch. The film's no-holds-barred approach to horror, paired with Castro's inventive gore effects, quickly made it a fan favorite. 

Another notable entry in Castro's career is Blood Feast 2: All You Can Eat (2002), a sequel to the infamous 1963 cult classic. Directed by the legendary Herschell Gordon Lewis, Blood Feast 2 saw Castro contributing his effects expertise to amplify the blood-soaked madness of the film. His work on the movie continues the tradition of shocking, over-the-top gore that fans of the franchise crave, while adding a fresh layer of modern, grotesque creativity. 

In 2012, Castro achieved a major milestone in his career when he directed The Summer of Massacre. This film earned him a Guinness World Record for the most kills in a slasher film—an achievement that not only showcased his commitment to delivering over-the-top thrills but also solidified his place in the world of horror cinema history. 

Currently, Castro is continuing his collaboration with director Chad Ferrin, working on two highly anticipated projects: Ed Kemper, a chilling biographical crime thriller that delves into the mind of one of America’s most notorious serial killers, and Unspeakable Beyond the Wall of Sleep, a horror film inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. These projects demonstrate his ability to adapt to different horror subgenres while maintaining his signature flair for unsettling visuals and strong character-driven storytelling. 

Joe Castro's passion for horror and special effects has led him to work on numerous other projects, often collaborating with other cult filmmakers in the genre. His dedication to the craft of practical effects, blood-splattered creativity, and his willingness to push the envelope has earned him a loyal fanbase, making him one of the most recognized names in the world of DIY horror. 

Whether through his work as a director or as a special effects artist, Castro's influence on independent horror is undeniable. With over 130 feature film credits to his name, Castro has made a significant impact in the world of low-budget horror and exploitation cinema, becoming a master of practical effects and a staple in genre filmmaking. His career reflects a commitment to unfiltered creativity and an enduring love for the wild, irreverent world of splatter films and low-budget genre cinema. 

STEVEN ESCOBAR

Steven Escobar is an Emmy Award-winning editor and producer whose prolific career has made a significant impact on both network television and independent cinema. With a robust portfolio that spans various genres and formats, Escobar is recognized for his dynamic editing style and his ability to weave complex narratives into compelling visual stories.

Steven Escobar has made substantial contributions to network television, particularly in reality TV, where his expertise in pacing and storytelling has been instrumental. He is perhaps best known for his work on “The Amazing Race”, which earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Reality Program. His ability to create suspense and drama through editing has been a key factor in the show’s success and critical acclaim.

In addition to “The Amazing Race”, Escobar has worked on other high-profile TV shows including CBS’ “Big Brother” and Fox’s “America’s Most Wanted”, where his skills have further shaped the reality TV landscape. Beyond television, Steven Escobar has expanded his creative endeavors into film production, focusing on independent films. He has produced several features that have garnered attention on the festival circuit, highlighting his commitment to storytelling across different media.

Escobar has expanded his creative footprint into independent film production, where he has been involved in a series of groundbreaking projects. Notably, he produced and edited the cult horror series “Terror Toons,” which garnered a loyal fan base for its unique blend of dark humor and terror. The series earned acclaim for its ability to blend campy horror with animation, making it a standout in the independent horror genre. The series went on to complete three sequels and now part of a “Quadrilogy Terror Toons” boxset.

Escobar also Executive Produced and Edited the independent feature film, “The Summer of Massacre,” which holds the Guinness World Record for the most deaths in a slasher film. The film’s violent, over-the-top scenes earned it recognition in the world of indie cinema, and Escobar’s involvement played a key role in its success.

In addition, he worked on “Xenophobia,” a thought-provoking film that blends science fiction with horror. The film explores themes of alien invasion and human survival, showcasing Escobar’s diverse production abilities and his commitment to bringing new, thought-provoking content to the screen.

Originally from Edinburg, Texas, Escobar relocated to Hollywood to pursue his passion for the entertainment industry. He is currently furthering his education as a law school student, demonstrating a dedication to helping others with their own projects and securing their intellectual property rights.

Steven Escobar’s career is marked by a deep commitment to creative storytelling and an ability to adapt to various genres and media formats. His work in television and film has influenced countless filmmakers and editors, and his ability to navigate the demands of reality television while producing groundbreaking horror films has made him a respected figure in both fields.

As he continues to work on new projects, Escobar remains dedicated to pushing the limits of storytelling and production, constantly seeking new opportunities to innovate and challenge the status quo in entertainment. His work continues to be a testament to the power of creativity, technical expertise, and a willingness to explore new narrative frontiers.

J.J. FERNANDEZ

MAURO FLORES JR.

JOSHUA KENNEDY

MELINDA MARROQUIN

Melinda Marroquin is an award-winning filmmaker based in Austin, Texas. Born and raised in Mission, Texas, she was immersed in the world of film and theatre from an early age. At just seven years old, she made her on-screen debut in She Came to the Valley, igniting a lifelong passion for storytelling.

Marroquin went on to appear in several films and TV movies, but it was her work behind the camera, primarily as a 2nd assistant director and production coordinator, that led her to her true calling as a director and producer. She gained recognition with her short film Dancing with the Devil, a haunting and visually striking story she wrote, directed, produced, and starred in. The film made waves on the festival circuit, earning multiple awards, including Best Director, Best Short Horror Film, and Best Folklore Film.

A dedicated advocate for independent film and women in the industry, Marroquin serves as Co-Vice President on the Board of Directors for Women in Film and Television Austin, and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Ethereal Horror Fest in Austin, Texas. She is also an active member of Austin Film Society, ATX TV Festival, National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), and Austin Entertainment Business.

Marroquin is currently developing multiple projects, including Why Am I Still Single, a Latina-centric, female-driven romantic comedy inspired by real-life dating disasters and modern relationships. She is also developing a historical drama based on the Mexican Revolution that is being packaged as a limited television series, as well as a Vietnam War-era feature film currently being shopped to producers and investors.

VALENTE RODRIGUEZ

Valente Rodriguez was born in south Texas in 1964. He is the youngest of eight in a family of migrant farmworkers. He put himself through college by doing children’s theatre in south Texas. After graduating college in 1987 he went to Los Angeles to become an actor.

His first professional acting Job was a feature film called SALSA THE MOTION PICTURE in January of 1988. Since then, Valente has appeared in numerous Film/TV and Theatre productions – Film: Blood in… Blood out…, Mi Familia, Roosters, Erin Brockovich, Deep Blue Sea, Volcano, The Ugly Truth, It’s Complicated, McFarland USA. TV: Golden Girls, Mad About You, X-files, ER. He was a regular on the George Lopez show playing the part of Ernie. He was also a regular on Happily Divorced with Fran Drescher – playing the part of Cesar.

Along with being an actor Valente has written several theatre pieces that have been seen in LA.  He was a member of the Latino Lab in Los Angeles and has performed both their DAY OF THE DEAD show as well as the Christmas pageant “La VIRGEN”.  He has performed at numerous stages in LA and throughout The United States. He produced three films in the Rio Grande Valley (Texas), directing one of them, in 2010. He also went back to school, completing his Masters in Theatre in 2015.

JOHN VALADEZ

John Valadez is a Peabody Award winning filmmaker, whose work has received two national Emmy nominations.  He has directed a dozen documentary films for primetime national broadcast on PBS and CNN over the past 25 years.  His body of work explores race, power, and identity through the Chicano & Latinx experiences. 

Valadez has tackled diverse and often controversial subjects, bringing thoughtful, and emotionally engaging work to a national audience.  His latest film, American Exile (PBS/2021) aired nationally in primetime.  The film explores the deportation of US military veterans, and played an important role in helping to change national policy, allowing deported veterans and their families to return home.

Other major works explore a diverse range of subjects including: the lynching of Mexican Americans in the West (The Head of Joaquin Murrieta PBS/2017), the Chicano struggle for equality and justice (Prejudice and Pride /2013/PBS/Latino Americans), Latinos in World War II (War and Peace/2013/PBS/Latino Americans), the birth of Mexican American civil rights (The Longoria Affair/ 2010/PBS/Independent Lens), The history and evolution of Chicano Music (The Chicano Wave/2009/PBS/Latin Music USA), public art and the genocide of Native Americans in the Southwest (The Last Conquistador/2008/PBS/POV), the devastating impact of standardized testing on America’s most vulnerable children (High Stakes Testing 2005/ CNN Presents), the resegregation of American schools (Beyond Brown/2004/PBS), contemporary segregation in a small southern town (The Divide/2003/PBS/Matters of Race), Latino gangs in Chicago (Soul Survivors/1997/PBS/Making Peace), and the false imprisonment of a leader of the Black Panther Party (Passin’ It On/1994/PBS/POV).

John’s films have garnered top prizes at film festivals from San Francisco to Chicago to Atlanta to Mumbai, have been broadcast across the United States, Canada and Europe, and have been featured at major museums and cultural institutions – including the Hirshorn Museum, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian Institute, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.   

John grew in up Seattle, taught photography in rural India, studied filmmaking at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is Professor of Documentary Filmmaking at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.