PTAFF'S 2024 JUDGES   

Eric Bear is a classically-trained film actor and award-winning producer known for his meme-generating role in "Annie Hall" and a recurring role on "Yellowstone:1883."  As a kinesthetic artist, he specializes in primate motion capture and authentic, grounded expression.  Bear is a former tech entrepreneur who has licensed his patented inventions to all major motion picture studios and top consumer electronics companies in the world.  

​Anita M. Cal is a versatile Emmy award-winning film and TV storyteller who’s had the

opportunity to write, produce, and line produce with a diverse range of talent and brands in the entertainment industry from Showtime, Inc. to BET. Currently, she is a 2024 Emmy- winning Producer for PBS 10 Days in Watts, which was nominated for five Emmys. She is also the Co-Writer/Co-Producer of Undercard, a feature boxing film produced by Catalyst Studios starring Wanda Sykes in her first dramatic performance.  Anita has written and consulted for staffed comedy writers as well as penned scripts for TBS’s Tyler Perry's "House of Payne," "Meet The Browns," and Colours TV’s “The Chin Chinns.”

Additionally, Anita Co-Created, Produced, and Wrote the half-hour comedy Pilot Chico’z Kids, starring Chico Benymon (Half & Half) and Essence Atkins (Ambitions, FirstWives Club). In 2019, Anita’s cop TV Pilot drama, Beyond the Badge, starring Karimah Westbrook (All- American) was a SeriesFest and DTLA Finalist selection, as well as an Emerging Drama Writer Caz Mathews Grant Winner.

As a multi-faceted filmmaker with strong Producing skills, Anita has managed crews and talent for feature movies with budgets ranging from $250,000 to $10 million. She won Women in Film honors for her drama screenplay Fathers of God, which also

garnered a Garry Marshall Award, prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowship semi-finalist recognition and Chesterfield Writer’s Film Project quarterfinalist recognition.

Rickie Peete is a multidisciplinary artist with a passion for both film and theatre, excelling as an actor, writer, and director. Known for his deep understanding and thoughtful analysis of his craft, Mr. Peete is also an enthusiastic educator, teaching acting and storytelling to the next generation of artists. With professional bases in both Washington, DC and Los Angeles, Rickie thrives on creative exploration, frequently traveling internationally to gain fresh perspectives. His commitment to artistic excellence and his passion for sharing knowledge make him a valued voice in the creative community.

Cassandra Cooper.Cassandra Cooper is the founder and COO of the Ova Media Group, a media platform designed specifically for women of color that includes over the air and internet channels, a mobile app, live streaming, podcasts, and a music label. Ova TV broadcasts on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire, reaching up to 250 million households in the U.S. and parts of Africa, the U.K., and the South Pacific.  Cassandra Cooper  is also the Managing Partner of Wonderland Studios in Castaic California.

With a deep commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, my focus as a Counselor at Notre Dame High School has been on steering students through their socioemotional development and college readiness. Partnering with families, universities and educators, we've crafted pathways that honor each student's unique journey and aspirations.

Concurrently, as Director of Operations for O2A Media, Inc., I've orchestrated the annual showcase of Nigerian cinema in Hollywood, ensuring a platform for cultural exchange, seeking creative funding sources and fostering international dialogue. My dual roles have honed my expertise in outreach programs and career services, reinforcing my dedication to 'Edutainment': education and universal storytelling.

Actor/Director/Producer/Teacher/Activist Who happens to be Jamaican has been in the entertainment industry for the past 50 years in various aspects of the business. Founder and Artistic Director of The Caribbean American Repertory Theatre, West, Jeff hails from the Broadway stages of New York, transitioning into Film and Television after relocating to California in 1986!! He curated “ Target Sundays” at the California African American Museum for 12 years, offering opportunities for upcoming local artists, many of whom are luminaries today!! Jeff is currently in Pre-Production for the Docudrama, “Justice Delayed” a project chronicling a trial that took place in Jamaica with Marcus Garvey, whose attorney Lewis Ashenheim, defended Marcus and won the case, fostering a great friendship between both Jamaican men. Talks after that trial led to the independence of the island nation of Jamaica! The project will be filmed completely on location in Jamaica. He is the unforgettable dreadlocked face on Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” video, Jeff also currently teaches at-risk gang members in the California prison system!!

Michael Fisher Chief Executive Officer of  Inyani Corporation 

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Inyani Corporation is a global filmed entertainment production company. The company was established in September 2021 by an international team of leaders in film, music, and corporate development. Which means Inyani is not a start-up, it is an aggregator. Inyani creates fresh and compelling storytelling for the global market.