2O2O PANELISTS
reynaldo escoto
Is the director of Stop Border Kids in Motion, a 7 year old project that focuses on teaching youth & kids on both sides of the border San Diego/Tijuana using stop motion as a medium. He also leads a film festival for autistic youth & kids “Funcion Sensorialmente Amigable”, which showcases the films created by students and it takes place in CECUT’s cinema space.
Two of the short films he has directed have been a part of the San Diego Latino Film Festival and another two in the Festival de Cine para niños y no tan niños. He has worked on 3 different music videos in Mexico City. His photographs have been published in La Jornada B.C. He received his place in the photography contest “Padres Padrisimos” through the Swiss Embassy in Mexico.
He teaches film production workshops in animation, experimental and photography as part of the ICBC (instituto Cultural de Baja California) program “Culture for Everyone”.
MARISSA
ALANIS
Born in Orange County to immigrant parents from El Salvador and Mexico, Marissa has always strived to chase her dreams and jump over the many hurdles that come along with being a first generation Latina in the industry. Her love of film, art and tv came at a young age. She started taking Video Production, Photography and Animation courses in high school. This led her to pursuing an education in film production at California State University Long Beach.
Marissa started out cold calling every production company in the book to get her foot in the door. (As one does!) She began as an intern at the award winning production company Lord Danger and worked her way up to Associate Producer. Marissa specializes in producing comedy, VFX, and all things that push boundaries and make people laugh. She has produced commercials, music videos, and short films for various clients like Netflix, Lil Nas X, Twitter, Will Smith, Adult Swim, FX and many more. While working with Lord Danger, the projects she has worked on and the company have garnered awards and praise from AdAge, the Webby's, Rolling Stone, and Variety.
ERIN
LI
An adrenaline junkie who loves junk food, Erin was born in the US to immigrant parents from Taiwan and raised in New Jersey. She chased what she thought was the American Dream and worked on Wall Street before pursuing her passion for filmmaking. Her unique journey informs her films, which often explore the dark side of ambition.
A sci-fi filmmaker and fan, she won the Mary Shelley Award for directing Kepler X-47 and her original vision and world-building. Narrative films that Erin directed have been featured by Upworthy, Vimeo (Staff Pick), Mitú, and curated by LACMA, Comic-Con, Slamdance, and New York Fashion Week.
Erin’s commercial work has been recognized by SHOOT and Free the Work. She’s on the director roster of We Are Invisible. Select clients include: (RED) and Call of Duty.
Erin has held directing fellowships with the FOX, AFI, and Film Independent. She recently shadowed producing director James Bamford on the CW series, ARROW. She’s represented by APA and Thruline. Erin is also bilingual (English and Mandarin Chinese) and enjoys traveling and short walks on the beach.