2026 Voices Heard Judge

Danny Villanueva Jr. is a Mexican-American writer/director/producer and founder of the independent production company, Velvet Pall. He is celebrated for his micro-budget, self-produced genre features that tackle complex and heavy themes such as WHAT HAPPENED TO DOROTHY BELL, a film that premiered at Fantastic Fest ‘24 and was featured in the New York Times "5 Horror Movies to Stream Now" list. Villanueva Jr. has become widely considered a “new voice to pay attention to”.

Darren Alexander Cole is a moving image sound artist focused on site-specific works that mix emergent tools with historical ones through extended reality(XR) interactions. These alternate spaces are portals to spatial sound experiences that include fragments of his handmade 16mm films. Through the lens of storytelling Alexander seeks to center community, identity, and sustainability.

Stormi Maya Cooke is a SAG actress, producer, writer, and entrepreneur whose work spans independent film, television, and digital media. With experience both in front of and behind the camera, she is passionate about powerful storytelling, memorable performances, and supporting emerging filmmakers. Stormi is honored to serve as a judge for the Milwaukee Film Festival and celebrate the incredible talent showcased this year.














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