Please give a warm welcome to our generous panel of judges!
Someone has to take on the difficult task of narrowing down the Ani_Jam film submissions to award the best film in each category! While there are only so many awards, having your work reviewed by this panel of experienced industry judges is quite an incredible opportunity! We are so grateful for the support that these judges have for the next generation of animators and film-makers!
Our panel has many decades of experience making films in so many different parts of the production process across the country and internationally. Have a look at their Bios below and see if you spot any of your childhood favourites.
Alex Matthews
Hi, I’m Alex! I'm originally from Barbados and I’ve spent the last 14 years diving deep into character design, 2D rigging, and animation. My career has come full circle, and I now serve as the Technical Software Sales Specialist and Demo Artist at Toon Boom Animation — the very company that guided me into my career!
Along the way, I’ve animated on international hits like Rick and Morty, Inside Job, and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. I’ve also had the fun challenge of serving as Rigging Supervisor for the second season of Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series and the animated specials of Black-ish and One Day at a Time.
Carol Beecher
Having been intimately involved with the animation community in Alberta for over 30 years Carol has gathered in-depth knowledge and experience in traditional and digital 2D and 3D modes of expression, non-profit programming, and post-secondary teaching and curricular development. Her interests extend into all forms of expression in the media arts. Being a voracious consumer of books and documentaries on filmmaking, storytelling, and film and animation aesthetics she thinks of herself as a life-long learner. In 1994, with her life partner Kevin D.A. Kurytnik, they formed Fifteen Pound Pink Productions, named thus because that's how much their cat weighed.
Johnny Catuciano
Johnny Castuciano is an Annie Nominated Storyboard artist and Director in the field of Animation. Throughout his 20 year career, he has worked in various projects for DreamWorks, Disney and currently with Marvel Animation.
Justin Marmulak
Justin is a dedicated Canadian production coordinator with a passion for animation. Currently working at Netflix Animation Studios, Justin also contributes his time and skills as the Conference Co-Chair for the Spark CG Society in Vancouver.
Kevin Gillese
Kevin Gillese is an improviser, writer and producer based in Atlanta. His first feature film "How To Ruin The Holidays" won the Jury Award for Best Ensemble at the Rome International Film Festival and the Film Threat review raved: "You'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll cry laughing, it's inspired."
Leif Oleson-Cormack
Leif Oleson-Cormack is an Edmonton-based comedian, writer, and narrative designer. He was the lead writer on The Low Road, tours regularly across the North American comedy and Fringe festival circuits, and runs a weekly stand-up show at the Grindstone Theatre.
Tim Riedel
Tim Riedel is a Red River Métis filmmaker from Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba working across film, television, and streaming. His credits include the award winning documentary Jackstones and the upcoming psychological horror feature Ancestral Beasts, selected for the Frontières platform at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival's Marché du Film.
More will be announced soon!
Bio Incoming!