Festival Director

Donna has served as Schenectady Film Commissioner since 2016 and brings years of production experience to the position. She has facilitated projects of all shapes and sizes, from HBOmax, Amazon Prime, Hallmark, Discovery, Showtime, large to indie small. Donna takes pride in working with productions that support the local workforce, local businesses, and provide educational opportunities.  

Film Programmer

Paul has long served Proctors as their Film Program Coordinator. He also co-founded NYC's Subway Cinema and the storied New York Asian Film Festival. Locally he created the hugely popular Dead 'Til Dawn Drive-In marathons held annually at the Hi-Way Drive-In in Coxsackie, NY and along with team member Richard Lovrich he was a founder of the IT CAME FROM SCHENECTADY series at PROCTORS and he still serves up the best and worst of cinema for an adoring following.

Creative Director

Richard has sat on the Schenectady Film Commission board for nearly a decade. He was also a founding member of the the IT CAME FROM SCHENECTADY film series at PROCTORS, where he served as that institution’s Art and Creative Director. He currently serves as the CD of Armory Studios NY, supporting its evolution through brand, design, communications and creative support. His passions include advocating for the “Apha-1” rare disease population through awareness, worldwide. 

Festival Coordinator

Jermaine is an entertainer, public speaker, and creative professional with over 15 years in Higher Education Audio Visual services, working with students, faculty, visitors, and notable figures.He owns Jermaine Rises Entertainment, offering DJ, public speaking, voiceover, and live music services, and Super Jermaine Entertainment, specializing in talent, small production, and creative services. Jermaine has contributed to major campaigns for brands like Byrne Dairy, Google, Bevel, Blue Apron, and Xerox, and is dedicated to supporting community organizations and non-profits, using his talents to uplift people of all ages.

Editor / Production

Zebulon Schmidt has always gravitated toward the intersection of the technical and creative sides of movies.He is currently the Station Manager at Open Stage Media. Zeb combines his passion for storytelling with a deep appreciation for the behind-the-scenes craft. A lifelong cinephile, he's perpetually on the hunt for the elusive “holy grail” of films—a quest he’s happily committed to for life. Oh and Zeb was a member of IT CAME FROM SCHENECTADY film series team, wowing regional audiences with the weird and the wonderful in cinema.

Director of Sales & Marketing

Eric has been producing and marketing film festivals and events from NY to California and Canada to the UK since 2005. Some of the most notable include Sundance, Garden State Film Festival, Boston International Film Festival, Independent Filmmaker Day at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the NYC Hip Hop Film Festival.   

Executive Volunteer Coordinator

Prince Sprauve, Founder and CEO of Quiet On Set, is an independent writer, producer and director whose films highlight the issues impacting communities across America. As Director of the Build Up Film/Digital Media program for SEAT Center, Prince provides hands-on experience to prepare students for immediate careers in the arts. During his tenure at Proctors, Prince served as a Media Arts Teacher, developing curriculum and mentoring students, he also served as a Multimedia Specialist at Schenectady High School.

Social Media Coordinator

Emily Baker is a longtime lover of the arts and their power to help build vibrant, equitable communities. With a focus on spotlighting local creativity, she has led digital campaigns for Proctors Theatre, Art Night Schenectady, and The Mopco Improv Theatre. She currently works to uplift the arts through her role as Campus Events Coordinator at SUNY Schenectady, a stone’s throw from Armory Studios NY. With her efforts to support Sci:Fi Schenectady Filmfest she continues in the tradition of creatives supporting the development of a vibrant downtown Schenectady.

Marketing and Promotion Coordinator

Campbell is a senior at Sacred Heart University majoring in marketing with a minor in fashion marketing. Her interests meld creative branding with the fashion industry and she hopes to pursue a marketing role within a fashion company after graduation. Campbell will sit at the center of our social media effort and partners to coordinate, synchronize and amplify our mutual messaging.