2027 Film Jury

The 2027 Film Jury brings a rich and varied experience in film, environmental conservation, and activism. The Jury watches a shortlist of films selected by the Festival Director and Lead Programmer to decide upon the following awards: Best of Festival, Best in Theme, Spirit of Activism, Most Inspiring Adventure Film, Best Short, Jury Awards, and Honorable Mentions. 

Many thanks to our talented and prestigious Jury for the long hours they spent selecting the 2027 award-winning films!

Aaron Zettler-Mann : Jury Moderator 

Aaron Zettler-Mann grew up swimming and playing in the creeks and rivers near his coastal home in a small town in Humboldt County. A Geographer at heart, he has completed three degrees in Geography: a BA at the University of Colorado at Boulder, an MA at the University of Denver, and a PhD at the University of Oregon. His academic training and research are in fluvial geomorphology and remote sensing. He has been involved in river research projects across the western US and internationally. Aaron’s drive to protect and improve the health of the West’s watersheds led him to SYRCL. He works closely with the community, government, and private entities and the SYRCL team on restoration, education, inspiration and advocacy efforts across the Yuba River watershed. Aaron can be outdoors playing on the water with his wife when not working. Whitewater kayaking and rafting, skiing, surfing, and mountain biking keep Aaron busy year-round. 

2027 Wild & Scenic Jury: 

Charlie Turnbull

 

 

 

 

J. English Cook, Ph.D.

English is a curator, film programmer, and author with over fifteen years of experience in the arts and museum professions. Her research engages historical intersections among architecture, cinema, and urban theory as well as contemporary film and the environmental humanities. Cook was the 2021-22 Vilcek Curatorial Fellow and a 2022-23 research assistant at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and she has held previous positions at the Architecture Film Festival London, the Grey Art Museum, NYU, MoMA, the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, and the Venice Architecture Biennale. Her writing has appeared in various journals, anthologies, and exhibition catalogues. She is currently the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Climate Film Festival (CFF) NYC.

 

Lana Hettinga 

Lana lives in Canmore, Alberta with her partner and three daughters where she and her husband own a family run business. She enjoys exploring the Rocky Mountains on her mountain bike and taking her children to the peaks by foot.  She has enjoyed working for the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival with over a decade of experience in many roles including working directly with filmmakers and authors in her various roles and touring with films around North America.  She has extensive production experience in supporting the Festival’s Senior Technical Director producing the nine day event in Banff. Currently as Festival Manager, Lana is more inspired than ever by mountain literature, film, and finding ways to bring the mountains to the broader community. 

 

Brian Newman

 

 

Kevin White

Kevin is an award-winning producer, director, and writer who has worked in media since 1982. In 1984 he founded Full Frame Productions, and in 1988 he founded the nonprofit Filmmakers Collaborative SF with filmmaker Michal Aviad. Kevin serves as the Executive Director of FCSF, overseeing all programs and playing a hands-on role in consulting and mentoring FCSF members.

Kevin has produced and directed dozens of films including the titles Wilder than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future, Saving Species Together, Sands of War, Not All Parents Are Straight, We Bring a Quilt, Speaking Up, A Land Between Rivers, Restoring Balance, Returning Home, Return Flight, From the Ground Up and A Simple Question