These gentlemen bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and talent to our festival. We are so humbled and thrilled to welcome Gabriel, Michael, and Dave. Their adjudication of our films this year, will give our young filmmakers valuable takeaways to only perfect their already amazing abilities. 

Specializing in commercial & documentary, his work focuses on raw character, compelling compositions, and dynamic stories. He’s directed projects for H&M, CNN, Discovery Network, Columbia Records, 300 Entertainment, Mom+Pop Records, TNT, The Guardian, Refinery29, Bon Appetít, and many more. Gabriel is also the founder/creative director of Crooked Letter, an entertainment company specializing in film production & the visual branding, curation, and crafting of their roster of talent's brands & careers. His leading talent Caleb Eberhardt AKA Rosehardt made his Broadway debut in 2019 starring in Tarrell Alvin McCranney's 5-time Tony-nominated play Choir Boy, with film ensemble roles in HBO’s Betty and the Ryan Coogler-produced “Judas & The Black Messiah".

In July of 2020, Gabriel launched The Crooked Letter Radio Hour, a weekly “quarantine-inspired” radio show with a variety of guests such as Zazie Beetz (Atlanta, Joker), Jeremy Allen White (Shameless, The Rental), DeVonn Francis (Yardy NYC), and more.

In October of 2020, Gabriel was selected by Dr. Martens as their “Filmmaker of the Year”, partnering with him for a global digital documentary film campaign featuring some of his favorite musicians in New York City.

Tuggle Creative Inc. is an advertising and marketing firm based in Flower Mound, Texas specializing in creative concepts and copywriting for television, radio, print and digital executions. The firm is headed by Creative Director Michael Tuggle, a writer with 30 years experience building brands for Fortune 500 companies, regional and local brands and political candidates running for President, Governor and Congress.

In 2020, Tuggle published his first book, "The Voice of the Underdog: How Challenger Brands Create Distinction By Thinking Culture First" with co-author Mike Sullivan. In 2017, Tuggle's screenplay, "Opening Night" was chosen as an Official Selection at the 17th Beverly Hills Film Festival. TCI is proud to sponsor this year's NTYFF Award for Best Screenplay.

With a voice acting and directing career that spans almost 2 decades, Dave has been all over the world and your TV sets doing what he does best; making magic voices happen. Dave is currently starring as the voice of 'Present Mic' in the internationally acclaimed hit series "My Hero Academia" as well as being featured on Toonami as 'Gauche' in "Black Clover".  Dave's voice acting credits are numerous, including roles in Tokyo Ghoul, Attack on Titan, Hetalia, Seraph of the End, Seven Mortal Sins, and many more. As a stage actor, Dave has been involved in projects here and abroad including everything from Musicals to Shakespeare starring in such shows as Jesus Christ Superstar, The Kings Face, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor dreamcoat, and as an occasional member of the former Trinity Shakespeare Festival in Fort Worth.