Rick Kariolic
Director
rick@chafilmfest.com


Since inception of this film festival, Rick Kariolic has directed two feature documentaries, two short comedy films, is currently producing the feature length film, “A Bob Marley Joint” and consults with filmmakers on a regular basis. In this journey to make chashama Film Festival the best it could possibly be, Rick has attended various film festivals in the circuit including Cannes, New York, Sundance, Denver, Hamptons, Tribeca, etc.  Learning the tricks of festivals, Rick has carved cFF into an outlet for the world’s sociological issues.


Emily Rosenberg
Public Relations
pr@chafilmfest.com

Emily is a communications professional who served for more than 20 years on the executive staffs of New York City elected officials. A writer, designer, and media strategist, she also has worked with non-profit advocacy groups and grassroots political organizations. Currently, Emily consults on marketing and public relations. Her novel will be finished any year now.

Megan Christensen
Festival Producer
christensen.megan@ymail.com

Megan is a Broadcast and Digital Producer based out of New York City. She has a diverse portfolio of work, which includes music videos, national advertising campaigns, television spots, and website and mobile application design.

Drew Kariolic
Webmaster
kario@apostrophed.com

Currently pursuing a career in 3D graphics with a special interest in Game Design, Drew produces websites under the name of Apostrophe D Media and is currently working on the graphics for an independent movie.

Greg Adkins
Locations Manager
greg@chashama.org

With a background of 15 years in display systems and electronics for mass transit and correctional facilities, Greg currently manages various chashama properties throughout the city. Greg is also an underground comic illustrator and music composer.

Matt Christman
Blogger
christman.matt@gmail.com

Matt has published film criticism in California and Colorado. He currently lives in Brooklyn, where he plans for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Daniel J. Kahn
Pre-Selection Committee
djkahn@comcast.net

Daniel grew up on the mean streets in Chicago's rough and tough South Side. He inherited a love for film and photography from his father, Journet Kahn, an amateur photographer whose works have been published in many well known journals. The "obsession" manifested early. At age ten, Daniel received his first video recorder (VHS-C) and immediately rounded up the neighborhood kids to perform in short films which he wrote and directed. This "hobby" continued well into adult life. At the ripe age of nineteen he hooked up with Rick Kariolic, a good friend and neighbor who was assigned to write, direct and perform in a short film for college credit. The two friends collaborated beautifully. Rick received an "A" in the course and his film was shown to the entire institution.

Shortly after this minor success Daniel spent time studying film at both the Chicago Art Institute and the Gene Siskel Film Center, attending courses with his then seventy-seven year old father.

At age 25, a new existence began. An extravagant "man of the world" Daniel's excesses' led him to live a simpler, safer life in Minnesota where he works as a project consultant and continues to practice his love of the arts by watching dozens of movies a week, attending theatre and taping his three-year old son and two-year old daughter. Daniel is honored to participate in ChaFilmFest and will dedicate any amount of time needed to view, analyze, critique and most importantly enjoy the films selected.

Kelly Anne Burns
Pre-Selection Committee
kellyanneburns@gmail.com

(www.kellyanneburns.com) is a producer, actress, writer, & award-winning director of film & theater. She is Co-CEO of Burning Clown Productions Inc. (www.burningclown.tv) with her husband Mike Smith Rivera, and was just nominated for aNew York Innovative Theater Award for Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role for her work in THE NAVIGATOR, set to reboot this February at The WorkShop Theater Company.

Alyona Osmanova
Pre-Selection Committee
aligorosm@gmail.com

Alyona Osmanova moved to New York City from her native country, Ukraine, in 2006 to pursue a modeling career. While working as a model Alyona has also held internships at Bureau Betak, as well as, the global PR firm, KCD. Alyona has been a fan of chashama Film Festival for several years and is excited to be a member of this year's Pre-Selection Committee.

Steven Flor - Photographer