Idyllwild Internataional Festival of Cinema

IIFC 2010 STAFF PRODUCERS AND ASSOCIATES

STEPHEN SAVAGE: FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

Stephen Savage is an award-winning screenwriter, director, producer, editor and composer. He recently finished work on three films: “Legacy,” the psychological thriller starring Wolfgang Bodison (“A Few Good Men,” “Akeelah And The Bee,” “Joe Somebody”), Will Wallace (“The Thin Red Line,” “I Am Sam,” “Tree Of Life”), and daytime drama star Kyrie Maezumi; “The Hunter’s Moon,” a film commissioned by The Sundance Channel and produced by Lunatopia in conjunction with AFI and AMPAS; and “Cosmic Radio,” which Savage wrote and directed for Velocity Pictures, starring Michael Madsen, Seymour Cassall, Wes Studi, Daryl Hannah, Irene Bedard, Rider Strong, Ricardo Chavira, and Randy Spelling.

In September of 2009, Savage wrapped "Legacy,” and immediately following, directed the joint Canadian/Scottish film, “A Song For The Dead” in the Arctic Circle.

CHARLES HUDDLESTON: FESTIVAL PRODUCER

Charles Huddleston brings a wealth of corporate event production experience to the Festival including more than fifteen years as the director of group sales for the George P Johnson Company. In this position, he produced events for Toyota/Lexus including announcement shows for Lexus in Tokyo Japan and the Lexus 10th Anniversary National Dealer Meeting in Maui, Hawaii. Huddleston is currently vice president of business development for the Production Resource Group (PRG). Huddleston’s main interest and focus in the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema is to provide independent filmmakers with a unique and natural setting that is in close proximity to the greater Los Angeles area. That setting is Idyllwild, “The Best Kept Secret in Southern California.” Huddleston’s favorite classic film is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” whose message is, “A common man’s uncommon spirit and his triumph over adversity is a reminder of how tomorrow can always be a brighter day.”

MIKE CROKE - IIFC Producer

Mike Croke is a leading marketing executive who has created, produced, and executed events and shows for some of the worlds leading brands for over twenty years. In addition to his producing skills Mike has also appeared in numerous independent films as well as theatre productions.

ERIC ASHMORE - IIFC Producer

Eric has been active in the TV/film industry and in the theatre community as a producer, director, and actor since moving to Los Angeles 12 years ago. He was a member of the former Actors Alley Repertory Company, where he was seen in Joel Hirschorn's world premiere of MUSICAL CHAIRS, among others, he played the title role in the critically acclaimed production of Steve Martin's comedy PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE at the El Portal Center for the Arts. After negotiating and receiving the stage rights to the original TWILIGHT ZONE series, Eric helped found the Theatre Company, 4 Letter Entertainment, where he produced eight TZ episodes Live on Stage, two of which he directed at Theatre West. He has also directed at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Theatre Encino, produced the short film FAMILY DINNER NIGHT, and most recently produced and directed the short film PERFECTNESS.

BILL TRIPLETT: FESTIVAL PRODUCER

Bill Triplett brings a diverse background in graphic design and marketing to the Idyllwild Festival of Cinema. Having founded Invision Grafix, a marketing and design company in 1994, Triplett has also served as operations manager for Creative Advertising and Marketing, an advertising and marketing firm in Southern California. In addition, Triplett was head of design and promotion for one of the nations largest independent ministries where he was responsible for design of all promotional materials as well as the planning and development of meetings, conventions and special events. He also recently served as president of the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce for three years and is the founder and director of the Idyllwild Community Network, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the experience of visiting and doing business in Idyllwild.

MONA LEE-TAGGART: FESTIVAL PRODUCER

Mona Lee-Taggart – An Idyllwild resident for nearly two decades, Mona has been an active member of the community she loves. As a realtor with Village Properties and member of the Idyllwild Association of Realtors, she specializes in helping others find and enjoy owning their own portion of this mile-high mountain paradise. With a soft spot for her four-legged friends, Mona volunteers time with Animal Rescue Friends of Idyllwild. She has also been a part of the Idyllwild Master Chorale, Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce and is currently an Idyllwild Arts Associate.

JULIA COUNTRYMAN: FESTIVAL ASSOCIATE

Julia Countryman is a published writer and photographer as well as an entrepreneur. Her writing career credits include IBM, Electronic Arts, National Semiconductor, Horiba Instruments and The Desert Sun Publishing Company. An Idyllwild resident for six years, Countryman has a long history of volunteering for non-profit and community service organizations including 4-H, Girl Scouts, YMCA and the Love Serve Remember Foundation. In 2007, she received a commendation from Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone for her work with Habitat for Humanity. The founder of three companies—DreamCatcher Media, The Chakra Shack and Julia Cee Photography—Countryman enjoys the opportunity to exercise her business acumen. Her love of the Arts, independent film, and community are what drew her to the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema. Countryman’s favorite mainstream film is “Being John Malkovich.”

DENISE MCGREGOR: FESTIVAL ASSOCIATE

Denise McGregor is an award-winning speaker and author of Mama Drama from St. Martin’s Press. Known for her lively, conversational style, she has been featured in dozens of articles and broadcasts nationwide, including Cosmopolitan magazine, Lifetime Television, and ABC TV’s “The View." Ms. McGregor is an Idyllwild Arts Associate, member of the Idyllwild Master Chorale, and film presenter at the Idyllwild Festival of Cinema. She is currently residing in Idyllwild, where she is working on a new book for women inspired by her feminine lineage from Bulgaria. Her favorite movie is “Pride and Prejudice” with Keira Knightly, for she relates to the headstrong, book-loving Elizabeth Bennett who learns to laugh at her own foibles and finds lasting love with her beloved Mr. Darcy.

KATHY SACHAR WILSON: FESTIVAL ASSOCIATE

Kathy Sachar Wilson, wife of PGA Tour Pro John Wilson, son of late Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson and mother of five, has been an Idyllwild full-timer for ten years and has fond memories of being a regular visitor to Idyllwild since the 60’s. An entrepreneur at heart, Wilson has owned the Idyllwild General Store and Sacher Enterprises-Events. Her strong community spirit and belief that we all have a responsibility as residents to do what we can for our community, Wilson is a very active community member and is the organizer for Idyllwild’s annual Ghost Town festivities during Halloween. Combined with her family connections to the Film Industry, Wilson is enthusiastic about helping Idyllwild renew and strengthen its ties to the film industry. Wilson’s favorite film is “The Sound Of Music.”

KEVIN and DEBORAH BRENNEN: FESTIVAL ASSOCIATES
Kevin and Deborah Brennan work from home in Idyllwild, using the time they save on commuting to refine their Netflix list or discuss the plot points of last night’s movie.

Kevin is a wildlife biologist with the Department of Fish and Game, whose work includes capturing bighorn sheep and deer by helicopter with a net gun, then jumping out to wrangle them into radio collars. He also responds to emergencies involving bears, mountain lions and coyotes throughout Southern California. He often appears in news reports and documentaries on these issues, and according to Steve Savage, gets more screen time than many actors.

Deborah Sullivan Brennan is a Southern California journalist, who has covered environmental and political news with an eye for the characters that populate the state’s desert hamlets and rural towns. She has written for the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, and various outdoor and nature publications.

Deborah met Kevin 13 years ago while reporting on a bighorn sheep capture that he had organized, and although everyone else present claims to have recognized it as love at first sight, she was simply interested in the donuts and coffee he was serving.

Kevin’s interest in film began with the late night film noir reruns he shared with his mom and the Saturday morning swashbuckler movies and westerns he enjoyed with his brothers. Deborah’s initiation to cinema began with 1970’s thrillers like “Jaws” and “Alien.”

Their favorite film is “Master and Commander.”

TRACY YOSHITOMI

Traci Yoshitomi, a 3-year Idyllwild resident has a long history of event organizing dating to the days when she served the Quayle administration as an event concierge. Long hours and a hectic pace are no stranger to Yoshitomi who most currently owned The Dragonfly Teahouse where she created sumptuous scones and brewed gourmet teas for residents and visitors alike. Yoshitomi's attraction to the film industry began when she was a child growing up in Oregon near neighbors who were in the film business. Her love of film has continued throughout her life and is delighted at the chance to combine her penchant for organization with her volunteer work. Traci's favorite film is "The Color Purple" which she found very inspirational to all women who have endured adverse circumstances and triumphed.

DIANA AMORE

Diana Amore is an artist, designer and clinical hypnotherapist who lived on Maui for the past 3 years and has recently returned to Idyllwild, Ca. to continue her art and design work and the practice of clinical hypnotherapy in combination with astrological natal charts to better assist in helping others on their journeys. Diana's favorite film is "The Girl With The Pearl Earrings", because of its subtle nuances throughout the movie, cinematography, and the understated sensuality.