In the fall of 2021, Cate, Aleesa, and I founded and began building Backlight from scratch with a lot of ideas and no idea where to start. I spent majority of my senior year working with Cate and Aleesa on creating a strong foundation for Backlight, and I'm very proud to say that is something I believe we accomplished. Now I oversee Atlanta/Georgia connections and event operations.
Rayna graduated from UGA with a degree in Entertainment and Media Studies. Post graduation, Rayna has worked as a producer, office production assistant, and assistant director on many projects including award winning music videos, an Apple TV show, and new webseries. In her free time, Rayna spends a lot of time doing photography and baking.
As one of the Executive Directors of the Backlight Student Film Festivals, I help to oversee and manage internal and external communications, run of show and ceremonies, and the marketing department. I work closely and support our other Executive Directors and the various departments they each oversee. In my role I am a leader, and my main task is to support, challenge, communicate with, guide, and encourage my amazing team!
I love supporting others and inspiring people to pursue their passions and dreams. Film and the theater going experience, are an outlet to do so and a passion of mine. Film Festivals bring people together, showcase films on the big screen, and celebrate filmmakers. Backlight is extra dear to my heart because it does so at a high level for up-and-coming students within the Georgia Film Industry. I will be beginning my career as a Rotational Assistant at William Morris Endeavor. My skills as a former division 1 track & cross-country athlete at the University of Georgia, have taught me the importance of dedication, persistence, and teamwork. I bring my mindset as an athlete to all facets of my personal and professional life.
I currently serve as one of the Executive Directors for the Backlight Student Film Festival. In this roll I oversee the festival programming, press and accreditation, sponsorships, and finances. Having co-founded the festival in 2021 I have had the privilege of helping the festival grow into the statewide initiative it is today, and work closely to support the entire Backlight team.
I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2023 with a strong passion for producing and filmmaking, developed through my love for storytelling and the community it fosters. I strive to share stories that inspire communities, entice change, and empower individuals. I am a creator who values the impact of diversity in storytelling and sense of community fostered by the filmmaking experience. Currently I work as West Coast Page with NBCUniversal, with pervious work experience in Business Affairs at NBCU, Office support for Focus Features at the Cannes Film Festival, and Volunteer for the Producers Guild of America.
As Director of Programming, I am in charge of coordinating all of our submissions. This includes overseeing the selection committee, assisting in selecting the final films, corresponding with judges and filmmakers, coordinating honorable mentions, and other important duties. I love this role because I get to see all the incredible films that have been submitted to our festival and help determine the best way to uplift and celebrate the filmmakers!
I graduated from UGA in May 2023 with degrees in Entertainment Media Studies and English (Creative Writing Emphasis) and moved out to LA over the summer. I love writing and all things sports (I'm a huge Atlanta sports fan, sometimes unfortunately). I'm passionate about Backlight because I feel very strongly about the importance of creating art and helping uplift artists, reward their creations, and encouraging even more people to express themselves through art and film!!
As Director of Press and Accreditations, I coordinate both student journalists and professional news & media organizations for coverage of the festival. We encourage students to apply for accreditation to photograph, video, and interview on the red carpet at the festival, and each year we organize a Red Carpet Photography Workshop to train students in doing this. I also reach out to news outlets and local reporters to attend and provide coverage of the festival and gain outreach to the Athens and Atlanta communities.
Hi I'm Julia! I have been involved with Backlight for 3 years now, and I graduated from UGA last spring with a degree in Entertainment and Media Studies. I am so passionate about film and opportunities to highlight creatives through events like film festivals, so it has been so exciting and fulfilling to be a part of something that celebrates student filmmakers in the way that Backlight does. During my time at UGA, I worked on several student films and videography projects, and was fortunate enough to attend the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival. I am aiming to begin working in production in the Atlanta film industry soon now that the strikes have been resolved, and am so hopeful and excited about the future of the industry here!
As the Director of Marketing I manage a team and plan out a strategy to help spread the word of Backlight in the most effective way possible.
I graduated from the University of Georgia in May of 2022. While at UGA I was involved in The Red and Black, Newsource, Backlight and more. I always had a passion for film and knew that I would want to pursue it for my career. I have since moved the LA and have been working at a media agency where I help create the marketing and advertising campaigns for films like M3GAN, Super Mario, The Exorcist: Believer, and The Fall Guy (Coming out May 3rd! 😉) my favorite activities outside of work are trying new foods, going for a hike, and going to the beach.
My priority is innovating, developing, and managing the site so everyone can engage with the festival. I also help out in creating and design other experiences for the festival with augmented reality technologies and camera filters for Instagram.
I'm a Full Stack Engineer and designer who loves creating unique experiences for people. I like to combine my interests of arts and technology to provide one of a kind interfaces anyone can use. I've worked for UGA, freelanced, and now I'm with Backlight to help enhance the festival even further.
As the Head of Graphic Design, I work closely with the Director of Marketing and the Executive Directors to design visual assets, brainstorm original content, and guide creative direction for the Backlight social media accounts including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Based in Los Angeles, Midori Jenkins is a 2023 EMST and New Media Certificate graduate from UGA. She is passionate about the entertainment industry and telling compelling stories through print and digital design. Currently, Midori is Public Relations and Advertising Graduate Fellow at the University of Southern California. Her previous work experience includes entertainment graphic design at NBCU and Ignition Creative as well as freelance graphic design in corporate communications. In January 2024, she will be starting at Disney on the Marvel Global Brand Commercialization team.
As the Head of Production, I coordinate content production both before and during the festival with the goal of highlighting filmmakers, sponsors, and everything Backlight! I work closely with the marketing and events teams to cover the festival on our social media and craft an overall stellar experience for attendees.
Ben is a recent graduate from UGA who works in color grading in Los Angeles and has extensive experience in videography/content production. He loves movies, sports, and is a massive foodie. Backlight has been an important part of his filmmaking journey and he is so thrilled to give back to it now as a team member.
At Backlight, I organize the footage and edit videos for the event promos and social media posts. I also help create the trailer from the amazing films that are submitted along with making the nomination videos shown before each award!
Hey! My name is Ethan Conroy and I am a recent graduate in EMST. I've been video editing ever since I got accepted to UGA and was lucky enough to help bring to life so many great films around the major through it. Currently holding down the freelance side of things on the east coast! Aside from working behind a computer most days, I love going to the movies and writing my own shorts in my free time.
As Director of Ceremonies, I specialize in making BLSFF an unforgettable entertaining experience for all involved, from the filmmakers to the film watchers.
Cam is a recent Grady grad with a degree in Entertainment Media Studies. After graduating, he shipped himself off to New York, where he intends to stay until death or they kick him out, whichever happens first. He is currently a Production Intern with ABC's 'The View' and intends to work in the talk show industry under the same parameters explained in the prior sentence. Fun fact, he never learned to ride a bike, but that doesn’t keep him from chasing his dreams!
I am most excited to collaborate with my team and help to bring awareness to this festival beyond just the amazing UGA filmmaking community. I hope that by amplifying student voices from all over Georgia, it will also make Backlight an integral and valuable part of the fast-growing film and media ecosystem in this great state.
I'm Xander, co-founder and chief creative officer of Clear Mountain Entertainment (CME) and student at the University of Georgia, where I'm currently studying Entertainment and Media, Film, and Entrepreneurship. I specialize in photography and videography. From my 2017 beginnings with xanderchiaramonte.com, to running social media channels (@filmfluent and @clearmountain.ent) and working with local businesses, artists, and individuals, I have built up an extensive portfolio of experience in media and content production.
I am so excited to see all the short film submissions that we receive this semester and to choose my favorites! And of course I'm also excited to plan a great event!!!
Hi, my name is Carly Feinstein! I'm from New York City and am a 4th year entertainment and media studies major. I also have a minor in communications and a new media certificate. In my free time I like to watch anything from A24 and 1950s Billy Wilder romcoms. This past summer I worked at a talent management company in LA. After graduation, I hope to move to LA and pursue a career in talent representation. Last May I had the privilege of traveling to the Cannes Film Festival on the UGA Grady study abroad program. The festival was so amazing and attending it is part of what inspired me to get more involved with our student film festival here at UGA. I am so excited for Backlight 2024!!!
Delighted to attend the first two festivals and looking forward to supporting this organization moving forward.
Former executive at Harbinger, specializing in data management and customer service. Ten years as part-time administrator at non-profit organization. Over ten years of Board experience at variety of nonprofit organizations including training in Policy Governance.