2022 Viva Texas Film Festival Jurors
Craig Tracy
Juror
"It is my intent to continue to explore and expand the perceptions and boundaries of this most ancient, alluring, and contemporary art form."
~ Craig Tracy
Born and Raised in New Orleans La, USA, Craig Tracy has always been an Artist. Craig credits New Orleans with it's authentic and vibrant culture as a significant factor in what is at the heart of his passion, creativity and bliss. Craig's early years were filled with drawings and paintings of idealized love and beauty. He continued to expand his artistic horizons well into his teen years by trying different styles, mediums and techniques. He went on to become a graduate with honors from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Craig was a professional Freelance Illustrator by the age of twenty. This early adult period of his work dealt primarily with Airbrush Illustration for Advertising Agencies and editorial publishing houses. Surprisingly, Craig did not find satisfaction as an illustrator and by his late twenties he was again experimenting and searching for an artistic and creative way to fulfill his desires and passionately utilize his artistic ability.
Fine Art Bodypainting was never an artistic career option but through talent, skill, vision, determination and a pioneering spirit, Craig would by 2002 start creating Bodypainting work unlike any the artistic word had seen before. Craig’s first series of Fine Art Bodypaintings truly took the world by storm and he has only grown and gained momentum and recognition since. Winning the World Bodypainting Championship in 2005 he went on to judging such competitions and becoming recognized as a true leader in the Bodypainting Movement internationally. Craig’s work is sold and collected globally and he is a producer and permanent judge on the hit network TV show SKIN WARS as seen on GSN/Netflix. His work focuses on Beauty, Mystery and Creativity and of course the majesty of the natural human form. His work is both real and surreal as none of his images are digitally altered or manipulated in any way.. He continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art by proving that creativity and passion are alive and well within his work and within his soul.
Born and Raised in New Orleans La, USA, Craig Tracy has always been an Artist. Craig credits New Orleans with it's authentic and vibrant culture as a significant factor in what is at the heart of his passion, creativity and bliss. Craig's early years were filled with drawings and paintings of idealized love and beauty. He continued to expand his artistic horizons well into his teen years by trying different styles, mediums and techniques. He went on to become a graduate with honors from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Craig was a professional Freelance Illustrator by the age of twenty. This early adult period of his work dealt primarily with Airbrush Illustration for Advertising Agencies and editorial publishing houses. Surprisingly, Craig did not find satisfaction as an illustrator and by his late twenties he was again experimenting and searching for an artistic and creative way to fulfill his desires and passionately utilize his artistic ability.
Fine Art Bodypainting was never an artistic career option but through talent, skill, vision, determination and a pioneering spirit, Craig would by 2002 start creating Bodypainting work unlike any the artistic word had seen before. Craig’s first series of Fine Art Bodypaintings truly took the world by storm and he has only grown and gained momentum and recognition since. Winning the World Bodypainting Championship in 2005 he went on to judging such competitions and becoming recognized as a true leader in the Bodypainting Movement internationally. Craig’s work is sold and collected globally and he is a producer and permanent judge on the hit network TV show SKIN WARS as seen on GSN/Netflix. His work focuses on Beauty, Mystery and Creativity and of course the majesty of the natural human form. His work is both real and surreal as none of his images are digitally altered or manipulated in any way.. He continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art by proving that creativity and passion are alive and well within his work and within his soul.
Trey Ganem
Local Juror/ Notable Juror
Trey Ganem is the owner of custom casket company, SoulShine Industries, which was founded in 2012. After attending a friend’s funeral 30 years earlier, he launched his company, based out of Edna, TX. Trey initially built custom cars and eventually shifted to designing custom caskets before his son joined the business in 2016, who he currently operates the business with.
Trey’s business grew from his passion to help others. In 2014, he donated his first customized caskets to the family that lost five children in a house fire in Edna, TX. Since then, he has made giving back his mission. He has donated many custom caskets throughout the year. Most notably - a customized casket for murdered Fort Hood US Army soldier Vanessa Guillen; he designed the caskets for the 26 churchgoers who were killed in the Sutherlands Spring church mass shooting; he donated custom caskets for victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting; he donated a casket for slain 4-year old , Maleah Davis, of Houston, TX; and most recently, he donated 19 custom caskets to the families of victims killed in the Uvalde Robb Elementary School shooting – each one personalized for a child victim.
“We are here to try and make a hard time a little easier. There’s nothing we can really do to make it easier, but that’s our goal: to help the families… start their grieving and their healing process and just try to make something special for them.” says Ganem.
His previous clientele includes soul singer Percy Sledge, Tray Walker from the Baltimore Ravens, and former The Voicecontestant, Christina Grimmie - who was shot in 2016 while signing autographs.
Trey has been married to Michele Ganem for 15 years and they are the proud parents of three children and one grandchild. Trey and his family reside in Edna, TX.
Demi Cruz
Juror
TV Host & Actress:
Seth Ingram
Juror
Seth Ingram is the Executive and Creative Director of the Rome International Film festival in Rome GA, the Division Chair of Film and Theater at Georgia Highlands College, and an independent writer, director, and producer.
Matt Maust
Juror
Musician and Creative Director - Cold War Kids & Artist
Greg Cipes
Juror
Greg Cipes is best known for his starring role of Beast Boy in “Teen Titans” and “Teen Titans Go!,” the longest running, highest grossing, cable animation series ever. His 20 year run as Beast Boy also includes the “Teen Titans Go!” feature films and now Cartoon Network’s “Young Justice.” His supporting role of Dwight in “Fast and Furious” has been a fan favorite for years and for 7 seasons he appeared in the recurring role of Chuck, in the ABC hit television series "The Middle." Greg has over 30 feature films on his resume such as "Vile" "John Tucker Must Die" and "Club Dread” and has had series recurring roles on television series such as "Deadwood" "True Blood" "One on One" "General Hospital" and "Anger Management." Greg can also be found on dozens of cartoons such as Michelangelo in Nickelodeon's global hit series "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and Kevin Levin in "Ben 10: Alien Force." Along with Chiro in Disney's "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!” and Danny Rand/Iron Fist in "Ultimate Spider-Man" (2012) and Zat in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."
Kristian Mercado
Juror
Kristian Mercado Figueroa is a filmmaker from Spanish Harlem. His psychedelic reggaeton
futurist short film, Nuevo Rico won the Animation Jury Award at SXSW 2021, and in 2019 his shortfilm/music video Pa’lante won a Jury Award at SXSW. In 2020 his screenplay Hawkbells won several screenwriting awards including Slamdance’s Screenwriting Award. He has been the recipient of awards and grants from Cinereach (2020) and McKnight Foundation (2019) for his feature and short work.
Charmaine Kachibaia
Juror
Charmaine Kachibaia is a Producer and Director with a passion for storytelling that stems from a deep yearning to understand and honor life. Armed with compassion and creativity, she has embarked on a journey to serve a deeper purpose through filmmaking.
Antonia Bogdanovich
Juror
Antonia Bogdanovich is a director, including of PHANTOM HALO, a New York Times Critics Pick; a producer, including of SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAYstarring Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson, THE PHENOM starring Paul Giamatti and Ethan Hawke, and SIX LA LOVE STORIESstarring Stephen Tobolowsky and Matthew Lillard. She is the daughter of cinema legends Peter Bogdanovich and Polly Platt.
Mark Van Leuven
Juror
Mark Van Leuven is the President of the Rome International Film Festival (RIFF) in Rome, Georgia.
Lisa Mazotta
Juror
From the time she was a child, Lisa Mazzotta knew she wanted to make films to impact positive social change. That childhood dream turned into a lifelong passion and career as a multiple award-winning film and television producer, known for her work on RiverBlue , and on the team that won NBC.com its first Emmy Award for Heroes.
Laurie Weltz
Juror
Writer/Director Laurie Weltz is in development on her third feature film, The Night Swimmer.
Antonia Bogdanovich
Juror
Antonia Bogdanovich is a director, including of PHANTOM HALO, a New York Times Critics Pick; a producer, including of SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAYstarring Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson, THE PHENOM starring Paul Giamatti and Ethan Hawke, and SIX LA LOVE STORIESstarring Stephen Tobolowsky and Matthew Lillard. She is the daughter of cinema legends Peter Bogdanovich and Polly Platt.
Joshua Russell
Juror
Joshua Russell is a Partner and COO at Iris Indie International, an independent film financing and production company, and co-founder of Local Cinema Studios, a non-profit dedicated to connecting higher education to the film industry. His work as a filmmaker has been highlighted in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Time-Out, and Variety Magazine.
Tony Vasquez
Local Juror
Tony Vasquez is a Victoria native. He serves as the Chairman of the Victoria Public Library's Advisory Board, Vice President of the Victoria Fine Arts Association, and also sits on the Victoria Ballet Theater Board of Directors. He has been with the Victoria Advocate for ten years and assists in covering local cultural and charitable events.
Zach Wendel
Local Juror
Zachary Wendel was born in Meyersville. He graduated from Texas A&M University and is now proud to call Victoria his home. He is the Community Development Planner for the City of Victoria and is an active board member with the Friends of the Victoria Public Library and serves as the Treasurer for The Nave Museum.
David Faskas
Local Juror
David is a managing member of KMH Wealth Management, LLC and is a Lead Advisor and the Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Planning Officer for the firm. David is the president of the Victoria Fine Arts Association, Treasurer of the Victoria Bach Festival, a member of Kiwanis and the Treasurer for the Welder Center Advisory Board. David is a guitarist who performs for local events, private parties, or weddings either as an instrumental guitarist or with Take 3 Jazz Combo. David has given presentations on a wide variety of topics, including at local high schools on finance and economics, as a keynote speaker for Victoria College’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society. In his time off, David also enjoys sculpting, painting, woodworking, and spending time with his wife, son and two dogs.
Woodrow Wilson Wagner II
Local Juror
Woodrow Wilson Wagner II, Board President
Woodrow was born and raised in Victoria, TX. His parents (Patrick and Virginia Wagner) instilled in him an early and consistent appreciation for the performing arts. While attending Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, his artistic imagination was nurtured by teachers like Rock Westfahl and community organizations like the Victoria Community Theatre. Mentors like Peggy Howard and Michael T. Boyd at Saint Joseph High School trained Woodrow to become a speech, drama, and theater performer and inspired him to be an educator. Woodrow coached speech, drama, and debate at Memorial High School in Victoria and was named Coach of the Year at various UIL Tournaments. He coached several regional and state UIL champions as well as award winners at the Harvard University National Tournament of Champions including Noel Wells from Saturday Night Live and Star Trek: Lower Decks fame. After teaching at various colleges and universities in Dallas, TX and Sacramento, CA, Woodrow returned to Victoria in 2018 to work for the University of Houston-Victoria as the Director of Strengthening Institution Programs and Lecturer of Communication and Political Science. He is also a very active parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church and serves as Chairman of the Victoria County Democratic Party, where he promotes numerous avenues for civic engagement and community service. His greatest desire is to give something back to this beautiful community that has given him so much.
Keith Kohn
Local Juror
Keith Kohn is executive editor of The Victoria Advocate. He joined The Advocate after many years as a journalist and editor across the United States and as a foreign editor in China. He's been local editor at newspapers in Florida, South Carolina, New York and California.
Fe Vela
Local Juror
Lead Social Media Strategist, Building Brands Marketing. Artist and Indie Film Actress/Filmmaker
Rob Royer
Local Juror
President: Building Brands Marketing, Musician with a long history of Acting and Stage Production
