FILM AWARDS & JUDGING PANEL
HONORING SOUTHWEST STORIES
On November 14, 2026, independent filmmakers and audiences come together at the historic Pioneer Opera House for curated short-film screenings, introductions, and brief discussions. Every Official Selection is eligible for jury and audience recognition.
MEET THE FILM JURY
EXPERIENCED VOICES. INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVES.
Our jury brings decades of experience across independent film, studio production, writing, directing, animation, visual effects, and interactive entertainment. Together, they will select Best Short Film and the Southwest Spirit Award.
PRODUCER • AMAZON GAMES
Jon Judelson
USC School of Cinematic Arts alumnus and producer with more than 20 years across film, television, games, animation, and visual effects.
His 90+ productions include work with Amazon, Netflix, Electronic Arts, Company 3, and Digital Domain. Producer of Dating Daisy and former Bel Air Film Festival juror.
WRITER • DIRECTOR
Neel Upadhye
USC graduate and writer/director working across live action, animation, motion capture, and video games.
Credits include Dating Daisy, a Disney pilot, Star Wars: Squadrons – Hunted, Need for Speed Unbound, and Apex Legends. He is principal writer at Giant Skull and represented by WME and Anonymous Content.
FILMMAKER • CREATIVE EXECUTIVE
Tanner Boyajian
LMU School of Film and Television graduate, summa cum laude, filmmaker with more than 15 short films and multiple Clio Entertainment Awards.
Co-founder and President of Dark Burn Creative, with campaigns for Fortnite, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. He continues to write, direct, produce, and mentor emerging filmmakers.
FESTIVAL CO-FOUNDER
Chase Boyajian
FILM JURY BIO COMING SOON.
Additional information and a headshot will be added before the page is published.
FESTIVAL CO-FOUNDER • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Angela Lavelle
FILM JURY BIO COMING SOON.
Additional information and a headshot will be added before the page is published.
2026 FILM AWARDS
Every Official Selection is eligible for festival recognition. Jury awards are selected by the film panel, while Audience Choice is decided by viewers attending the in-person screenings.
BEST SHORT FILM
Selected by the festival jury and presented to the strongest overall film in the 2026 Phoenix Stage & Screen Festival film program.
SOUTHWEST SPIRIT AWARD
Presented to the film that most memorably and authentically engages with the people, communities, landscapes, culture, heritage, history, or traditions of the American Southwest.
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
Selected through audience voting during the festival’s in-person film screenings.