2019 Festival Judge: Lance Miller

Unlike many at Plum Media, Lance comes from an independent film background as opposed to a journalistic one. This has given him a unique perspective on how to find the emotion in a client’s story. Prior to his success at Plum, his proudest accomplishment was writing a national spot for Northwestern Mutual in support of the NCAA.

Above all, he enjoys making humorous videos for clients as comedy can easily solve so many of the challenges clients face.

Lance loves the movies. He really loves them. Trust us, he’s a walking IMDB. Go ahead… test him. When not providing clients with what he calls “video excellence,” Lance also enjoys mid-century design, sci-fi memorabilia and crafting screenplays.

2019 Festival Judge: A-tone Bishop

Antonio “A-tone Bishop” Perkins started out as a Gospel/R&B singer/song writer & spoken word artists from Milwaukee WI; having performed at Milwaukee's largest African American Culture celebration, African World Festival 5 years in a row, 2005-2009 on multiple stages

In 2005, Began organizing Milwaukee communities against violence and encouraging youth communities to vote. An expert in rallying families together, creating programs, events, and educational experiences, with well over 10 years of experience

He has worked as a community organizer, promotional model, brand ambassador, public speaker/figure, organization development director; skills that he shares with youth, residents, & aspiring professionals to ensure they too, can reach their goals in their lives.

Through his expertise in marketing, advertising, networking, event planning, & relationship building skills, A-tone has organized and co-hosted Milwaukee's most successful open mic, spoken word events during the 2016- 2019 years. 

2019 Festival Judge: Suzanne Jurva

Suzanne created the research department at DreamWorks SKG and was a feature film development executive supervising many Academy Award nominated and winning films including: “Saving Private Ryan”, “Amistad”, “Minority Report”, “Gladiator”, “Prince of Egypt”, “Lincoln”, and others. She is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and narrative feature producer. Her credits include Pet Names” (SxSW 2018 premiere), “Yoopera!” (PBS), “The Fabulous Ice Age” (Netflix), and “Changing Keys: Billy McLaughlin & the Mysteries of Dystonia” (PBS). 

Her work has been seen on The Weather Channel, NBC, NBC News, PBS, MTV, FOX, BBC, Showtime, and at The Library of Congress. Until recently she served as the director of the Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance, the membership advocacy group that represents Wisconsin film industry.

2019 Festival Judge: Tracey Thomas

Tracey Thomas is a filmmaker/director based in Milwaukee, WI. She has recently completed her first film, My First and Last Film. She began this project with her boyfriend 6 yrs. ago, when she turned 60. His illness and subsequent death put the film on hold for awhile. In the last 2 years she garnered her strength and courage, and with the help of a brand new crew, finished the film...as she promised him she would. It is a documentary about reaching the milestone age of 60. She interviewed over a dozen women and men, gathering insight on what it feels like to be 60, reflecting on the past, making the film without her boyfriend, and contemplating what's next. Tracey has lived in Wisconsin her entire life. Volunteering is in her blood, having supported many local organizations and charities, including The WI Humane Society, Pets Helping People, Milwaukee Film, 91.7/WMSE, The Salvation Army and Medusa Monologues. She supports the local film, music and art scene, loves yoga retreats, and gives when she can to friends' film and artistic projects. 

Her circle of strong female friends has been key in her personal growth as she 'traverses the trials and tribulations of life. As her film hints at, what IS next for Tracey? Stay tuned....

2019 Festival Judge: Natasha Nafrini

Wife, mother, ENFJ and cat lover, Natasha is an avid lover of Arts & Entertainment. In her spare time, she volunteers for two nonprofit organizations in the greater Milwaukee area where she flexes her Professional Communications skills. She is also a Creative Writer, Actress and Recording Artist who enjoys reading Paulo Coelho novels.

2019 Festival Judge: Temeceka Shantanette Harris

Temeceka Shantanette Harris was born January 16, 1975 to Linda Harris and Eddie Moore in Mound Bayou Mississippi. At a very young age she moved to Kenosha Wisconsin with her mother. Later in life she became a single mother to five beautiful children. At round the age of 20 she pursued her passion in acting. She has been in several plays, films, commercials, and TV shows. She had recently made her acting debut on NBC's Chicago PD and Showtime's  The CHI. She is currently working on two projects.. She hasn’t let anything or anyone stop her in pursuing her career in acting. She is grinding now more than ever. She wants to thank God for her God given gift!With him none of this would be possible.She would also like to thank her children and her family for their support and patience. When she is not in front of the camera,she enjoys spending time with her grand baby, going to church, writing and directing plays,and simply enjoying life

2019 Festival Judge: Paulina Bugembe

Paulina Bugembe is a writer, director, and working actress, who uses all aspects of her craft to share her own unique vision of the world through a lens and on screen. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she also calls Tokyo, Honolulu, and now Los Angeles "home".

She has written and directed nine short films with her most recent, The Homecoming, screening at noteworthy film festivals such as Austin Film Festival, Pan-African Film Festival, and Milwaukee Film Festival. The Homecoming also won awards including Best Student Film at the 2016 BronzeLens festival in Atlanta, Best Film - Voices Heard at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival, Georgia, and Best Foreign Film at the Chinese Universities Student Film and Television Festival in Hong Kong.


Paulina has appeared on television shows such as Scandal on ABC, The Good Place on NBC, and on the upcoming final season of Love on Netflix. She currently recurs as Detective Valerie Spencer on General Hospital on ABC.

In 2016, she graduated from Chapman University with an MFA in Film Directing and completed a two-year acting conservatory course at the Joanne Baron/DW Brown Studio in Santa Monica. She is currently attending the Identity School of Acting in Los Angeles while developing her first feature film.

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