STAFF

Our staff is dedicated to delivering an entertaining festival experience that captivates our guests, sparks conversation, and leaves you wanting to attend again and again.  Get to know us! We are happy to be part of this delightful experience.

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM SOCIETY

Rhea Woodson, Managing Director
Liliana Rodriguez, Artistic Director
Sergio Herrera, Operations Manager
Kristin Bloomer, Sponsor & Development Manager
Christina Sasse, Film Awards Director of Operations & Sales
Scarlett Wilmsen, Film Awards Operations Coordinator
Angie Valdericeda, Membership Manager

Felicia Alford, Accountant
Jose Padilla, Accounting Assistant
Jessica Eskelin, Programming Manager
Marissa Aguayo, Development Associate/Film Awards Benefits Coordinator
Daniel Mansour, Marketing and Social Media Manager
Judith Beltran, Office Coordinator

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2023

Executive

Liliana, Rodriguez, Artistic Director
Rhea Woodson, Managing Director

Administration

Sergio HerreraOperations Manager
Felicia Alford, Accountant
Jose Padilla,
Accounting Assistant
Judtih Beltran, Office Coordinator
Debbie Ray Scanlon, Volunteer Manager
Jim Gazan, Assistant Volunteer Manager

Development | Marketing

Kristin Bloomer, Sponsorship & Development Manager
Zack Solomon, Membership & Education Manager
Caroline Polly, Marketing & Social Media Manager
Martin Foster, Creative Services
Marissa Aguayo, Development Assistant
Marc Salomon, Marketing Assistant
Ashely Mejia, Videographer
Nathan Cox, Photographer
Graham Bennett, Membership Coordinator
Jordan Schudie, Social Media Intern
Alissa Cruz, Social Media Intern
Brenda Arellano, Marketing Intern

Festival Operations

Aaron Ridenour, Technical Director
Jody Cole, Theatre Operations Manager
Phil Del Costello, Theatre Operations Assistant Manager
Clay Martin, Print Traffic Manager
Tim Sabo, Production Manager
Brent Ries, Special Events Manager
Jesse Dubus, Print Traffic Coordinator
Enrique Ortiz, Production Assistant
Bertha Estrada, Production Assistant 


Programming

Jessica Eskelin, Programming Manager
Linton Melita, Film Data Manager
David Ansen, Lead Programmer
Alissa Simon, Lead Programmer
Hebe Tabachnik, Senior Programmer & Filmmaker Retreats Producer
Mimi Brody, Programmer
Theresa Hayes, Programmer
Brian Hu, Programmer
Jennifer Van Camp, Programming Coordinator & Filmmaker Retreats Coordinator
Stefani Alvarez, Programming Intern

Film Awards

Christina Sasse, Film Awards Director of Operations & Sales
Jessica Jazayeri, Film Awards Manager
Scarlett Wilmsen, Film Awards Operations Coordinator
Ron Sylvester, Film Awards Coordinator
Marissa Aguayo, Benefits Coordinator


Guest Relations

Aglaia Gelpke, Guest Relations Manager
Vera Bianchini, Guest Relations Coordinator
Matthew Berg, Guest Relations Coordinator
Simon Ryder, Ground Transportation Manager
Jorge Molina, Guest Relations Assistant
Trae Daniel, Ground Transportation Assistant

Creative

Martin Foster, Souvenir Program Designer Manager
Tara Dupuis, Publications Coordinator
Jesse Knight, Publications Editor

Publicity

Scenario Communications:
Steven Wilson, Co-Founder/President
Austin Good, Publicist
Kylie Elliot, Publicist

Venue Manager

Joshua, Nye, Venue Manager
Dan Doody, Venue Manager
Alex Mills, Venue Manager
Dael Norwitz, Venue Manager
Paul O'Connor, Venue Manager
Sara Carrasco, Venue Manager
Jonathan Olson, Venue Manager
Jenn Misko, Venue Manager
Stephanie Hough, Venue Manager
Christine Holt, Venue Manager
Garrett, Nolan, Venue Manager
Breena Siegel, Venue Manager
Derek Petrillo, Venue Manager
Carlo Maldonado, Venue Manager
Zack Solomon, Venue Manager
Renae Farias, Venue Manager
Aileen Fowler, Venue Manager

Projection Team

Greg Babush, Projectionist
Ryan Smith, Projectionist
Whitney Miller, Projectionist
Curt Heiner, Projectionist
Parker Jenkins, Projectionist
Chris Bredenberg, Projectionist
Brian Morataya, Projectionist
Francisco Aschwanden, Projectionist
Daniela Leal, Projectionist
Modestina Weeden, Projectionist
Morgan Murphy, Projectionist
Miles Marisco, Projectionist
Brenan Chambers, Projectionist
Lauren Wilson, Projectionist

Others

Lorna Schanzenbach, Passholder Lounge Host
Lorenzo Taylor, Passholder Lounge Host

Box Office

Joes Padilla, Box Office Co-Manager
Alex Paz, Box Office Co-Manager
Debbie Wright, Concierge Manager
Dennis Pence, Concierge Assistant
Tara Dupuis, Credentials Manager
Randi Johns, Credentials Assistant
Ashley Sanchez, Box Office Supervisor
Celeste Gutierrez, Box Office Supervisor
Laura Brock, Box Office Supervisor
Katherine Haywood, Box Office Supervisor
Gwen Kibbe, Box Office Supervisor
Anthony Reyes, Box Office Supervisor
Zachary Waits, Box Office Supervisor
Savannah Guerra, Box Office Supervisor

SHORTFEST 2023

Programming

Sudeep Sharma, Interim ShortFest Artistic Director
Ash Hoyle, Programmer
Jesse Knight, Programmer
Dominique O'Neil, Programmer
Stephanie Owens, Programmer
Céline Roustan, Programmer

Robert John Torres, Programmer
Linton Melita, Program Advisor
Jennifer Van Camp, Programming Assistant
Nicklas Beljer, Programming Intern

Production

Sergio Herrera, Production Manager

OPERATIONS

Modestina Weeden, Technical Manager
Jose Padilla, Box Office Manager



FORUM & INDUSTRY

Ana Souza, Forum Producer
Christina Sasse, Industry Coordinator
Elizabeth Westwood, Forum Coordinator

Guest Relations

Scarlet Wilmsen, Guest Relations Manager
Kaila Gutierrez, Guest Relations Assistant

Marketing and Publicity

Daniel Mansour, Marketing & Social Media
Martin Foster, Creative Services

About Us