2015 SSU Indie Film Festival Judges

Jonee` Ansa

Jonee Ansa is the owner of DownSouth Filmwork. He’s a graduate  and Photography Fellow of the American Film Institute, the prestigious film conservatory in Los Angeles, California. There, Ansa studied cinematography under Harry Wolfe ("Gone With the Wind" and "The Beverly Hillbillies") and Thomas Denove' ("Star Trek: The Next Generation," and "A Time to Kill”) and many others. While working with such legendary cinematographers as Vilos Zsigmond and Theo Van de Sante as well as with emerging filmmakers,  Ansa created his own personal style while honing his craft as director of photography and film editor.

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Ty Walker

TY Walker is a television and movie producer with more than 10 years of experience. He’s worked with several outstanding talents, actors to musical artists including, Jamie Foxx, Akon, Boris Kodjoe, Mekhi Phifer, T-Pain, Vivica A. Fox, Idris Elba and Isaiah Washington. A graduate of Prairie View A&M University with a degree in finance and computer science, TY left his position at IBM to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a filmmaker. In 2003, TY moved to Atlanta so he could focus on that path. Since TY’s entrance into the industry, he has made significant relationships and received direction from George C. Wolfe, the director of “Lackawanna Blues,” Spike Lee, John Singleton,  Rob Hardy, executive producer of “Think Like A Man” 1 and 2, Will Packer, producer of “Ride Along” 1 and 2, F. Gary Gray, the director of “Set It Off,’ and Doug McHenry, director of the “House Party” series.TY has developed a unique technique and method of filmmaking. In 2006, he established Tycor International Film Company Inc. (TIFC), which produces documentaries, music videos, commercials, short films, and feature films. Click the link to read an article about TY written by   BaDoink Magazine.http://www.badoink.com/life/interviews/interview-hollywood-hotshot-ty-walker/ TY has produced and line produced films such as a 2012 Sundance hit, “Blue Caprice,” which was released in 2014; and soon to be released "Omphalos” and “Julia.” Ty’s most recent film “Carter High,” starring Vivica A. Fox, Charles S. Dutton and Pooch Hall is about four student athletes in Dallas, Texas during the 1980s, whose off the field activities cost them their futures.  Starting this summer, Walker will go into production on two other films that he has optioned. Visit www.tywalkeronline.com for more information.

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Nakia C. Stephens

Nakia Stephens is an independent screenwriter/filmmaker from Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate of Savannah State University’s Mass Communications program where her concentration was Radio/Television Broadcasting. After receiving her degree, Nakia went on to work and study screenwriting in Los Angeles, California. While in Los Angeles, Nakia launched her poetry blog You Damn Write and her screenwriting company Damn Write Originals. While juggling these two platforms, she set out to complete her first feature film, Muse. After the success of Muse, which sold out twice at the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, she wrote and released a hit web series on youtube titled, Life Under Construction and she’s currently in the pre-productions stages for 3 of her newest short films. As a travel and culture enthusiast and an avid champion for Women and People of Color, Nakia is devoted to telling the authentic, purposeful stories that the world needs.