Vision
Foster an evolving and sustaining ecosystem of creative media makers in the Santa Fe region
Mission
The Santa Fe Film and Digital Media Council shall advocate to the Governing Body for support of all aspects of media creation in the Santa Fe region. The Council shall investigate policy opportunities, make recommendations for new program opportunities, make recommendations for new program initiatives, encourage further media education for our diverse population, and inform decision-makers to the impact and evolving landscape of media creation in Santa Fe.
Gay Dillingham, Chair
Producer/Director/Owner, CNS Communications
Gay Dillingham is the founder of CNS Communications, LLC and is an award-winning producer/director. Her feature documentary titled, "Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary," narrated by Robert Redford, completed its' run on Netflix.
Gay co-founded and managed two environmental IP technology companies. The non-toxic consumer products (CPG division) of Earthstone International, LLC was successfully sold in late 2019. She continues with Earthstone (dba Green Engineered technology) developing its' break-through patented technology in additional areas such as green building materials and runway arrestor systems.
Gay has served the public and not for profit organizations most of her life. She chaired the Environmental Improvement Board in charge of environmental management and consumer protection for the state of New Mexico for 8 years passing landmark regulations. She served six years on the Bioneers BOD and is currently on its' Honorary Board. She currently serves the BOD of Wild Earth Guardians and Chairs the Santa Fe Film and Digital Media Council.
Anna Darrah, Vice Chair
Anna Darrah is a partner in Film Nest Studios, an all-female production company in Santa Fe, NM. Anna worked in distribution for 2 decades, licensing over 1000 films as Director of Acquisitions for Gaiam (Gaia) and Spiritual Cinema Circle. Anna now enjoys developing, producing, writing, and sometimes directing,
all kinds of film projects. She has been an active player on the festival circuit and
consults with filmmakers on custom distribution strategies.
Siena Sofia Bergt
Siena Sofia Bergt is a filmmaker, writer and native of Agua Fria, New Mexico. She made her narrative feature debut OPIA while attending Columbia University, becoming the first student in the school's history to complete a feature as an undergraduate. OPIA premiered at the Santa Fe International Film Festival and was distributed globally. When not directing or writing screenplays, she co-hosts the horror film podcast Splice & Splatter for George RR Martin's Highgarden Entertainment and writes award-winning film analysis and journalism; previous accolades include the Andrew Sarris Memorial Award. Her explorations into marginal, rural and Uncanny storytelling modes have elicited stylistic comparisons ranging from Juan Rulfo's "Pedro Paramo" to Samuel Fuller's "Shock Corridor."
Robert Dennis
Robert Dennis retired to Santa Fe from a lengthy career in motion picture post production. On obtaining his MFA in Film from USC in Los Angeles, Robert soon transitioned from production into various post production roles at Lucasfilm, HBO Pictures, Walt Disney Studios. At Technicolor, Robert headed up their 70mm Imax business. He was a member of the SMPTE Board of Governors, and President of the Large Format Cinema Association. Currently, Robert serves on the board for Southern Illinois University’s charitable arm, the SIU Foundation.
DezBaa'
DezBaa' is a SAG actor, television writer, and an indie film producer. She is a citizen of the Diné Nation, born in and is based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. DezBaa’ is born for the Nooda’í Dine’e (Ute clan), and was raised in Española, NM. She is of Basque, Spanish, and Mexican descent.
DezBaa’ first began her career in the New Mexico film industry as a background actor an quickly secured speaking roles thereafter. She has landed roles in independent films as well as having a recurring television role. Some of her supporting roles have been working opposite Julianne Moore, Michael Shannon, Christian Bale, Zahn McClarnon and Ciarnán Hinds.
DezBaa' has played Erica in the 2018 theater production of "The Sweetest Swing in Baseball" by Rebecca Gilman and performed alongside Wes Studi, DeLanna Studi, Kholan Studi, Robert Mesa, and Kenneth Ruthardt in a staged reading of Mary Kathryn Nagle's stage play, Sovereignty, at Santa Fe's historic Lensic theatre in 2019. Currently, DezBaa’ finished her first season as a staff writer on AMC’s Dark Winds TV show.
She is a film mentor for New Mexico’s Film Prize Jr. working with middle school and high schoolers to encourage and help them learn to create their own stories from concept to first screening.
A former Division of Natural Resources Navajo Nation employee, DezBaa’ holds a Bachelor's degree in geology from Amherst College and two MFAs from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM. One master’s is for Screenwriting and the other is for Creative Nonfiction, both of which were completed during the global pandemic.
DezBaa’ is not only an alumna, but currently an adjunct professor, and Director of Tribal Relations at Northern New Mexico College where she first began studying filmmaking. She is the mother of a budding actor and graphic artist named Nizhonibaa’.
Alessandra Dobrin
Alessandra Dobrin is an award-winning filmmaker. She is the Head of Post-Production at Film Nest Studios, an all-female-owned production company, where she works as a producer, director, and editor on television series, narrative and documentary films, music videos, and commercials. Alessandra’s work has appeared on major networks and within the domestic and international festival circuit. Recent projects include "Meow Wolf: Origin Story", which premiered at SXSW and has won multiple awards, and "The Early Show with Alax", a popular educational series for the State of New Mexico.
Mark Glaser
Mark Glaser is the Director of Business and Program Development for the New Mexico Local News Fund. He also supports the Knight Foundation with communications work and was the founder and executive director of MediaShift.org. MediaShift was part of PBS, and included coverage of the intersection between media and technology, including a regular podcast, video show, events and trainings. His work for the Local News Fund includes fundraising, running a business accelerator for newsrooms around the state, and lobbying for NM State Legislature support for the New Mexico Local News Fellowships program. You can reach him at mark@nmlocalnews.org
Steve Graham
Steve Graham is a Santa Fe based producer, writer, director, and DGA UPM. Since 2005, he has produced 123 episodes of television and worked on more than a dozen films. He was co-executive producer for five seasons on the television series Z Nation (Syfy), was co-executive producer on Netflix’s Black Summer, and produced the western television series Walker:Independence for CBS and the CW. He is currently producing director Destry Spielberg’s horror Please Don’t Feed the Children and George RR Martin’s productions of Heirs of the Perisphere and Summer Machine. He is co-owner of local production company Goodwest Productions, local western prop house Santa Fe Cinema Props, and New Mexico post production company Rancho Post.
Harvey Kahn
Harvey Kahn is a multiple Emmy-winning, veteran film and television producer. He started his career as an independent creative producer before founding Front Street Pictures in Vancouver in 2004. A full service production company, Front Street produced over 200 TV movies and feature films as well as more than 100 episodes of scripted series under Harvey’s tenure. He sold the company in 2018. Harvey has worked with most of the major studios and numerous TV networks and streaming services. Most recently he produced two Netflix Original Films: “Brazen” starring Alyssa Milano, which premiered at #1 in January 2022; and “Dangerous Lies”, starring Camila Mendes (Riverdale), Jessie T. Usher (The Boys) and Elliott Gould, which also premiered at #1 in April 2020.
Having run one of the largest production companies in Canada, Harvey has extensive experience in all aspects of production from deal structuring and complex financings to international distribution and post-production. He co-founded the state of the art post-production house Side Street Post in 2010.
Harvey’s independent feature producing credits include the acclaimed WE DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE (Warner), starring Naomi Watts, Mark Ruffalo, and Laura Dern, which was a dramatic competition selection at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and NOBODY’S BABY (Lionsgate) starring Gary Oldman, which also premiered at Sundance. Notable movies for TV include FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC (Lifetime) based on the VC Andrews novel starring Heather Graham and Ellen Burstyn; the Hallmark Hall of Fame’s THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN based on the best selling novel by David Baldacci, starring Dermot Mulroney and Danny Glover; the Primetime Emmy and Humanitas-nominated TAKEN FROM ME (Lifetime, FOX) starring Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Henson, which garnered Harvey an NAACP Image Award; and the award-winning LITTLE GIRL LOST (Lifetime) starring Judy Reyes.
Harvey produced the TV series R.L. STINE’s THE HAUNTING HOUR, which won 3 daytime Emmys for Outstanding Children’s Series 2013, 14, and 15. In addition to all 76 episodes of HAUNTING HOUR, he produced the Emmy-nominated series SPOOKSVILLE, which Netflix released in 2015. Harvey also executive produced the 13-part one-hour dramatic series, ENDGAME (2010-11), which premiered on HULU in the US, and he executive produced the Hallmark Channel’s first one-hour dramatic series, CEDAR COVE starring Andie MacDowell.
Harvey started his career in the entertainment industry as the first Director of Publicity for the Disney Channel. Prior to that he worked as an investigative journalist. He received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is a dual US/Canadian citizen who maintains residences in Vancouver, BC and Santa Fe, NM.
Jaydin Martinez
Jaydin Martinez is an award winning Actor/Filmmaker and youngest constituent of the Santa Fe film council. It’s because of his deep passion for storytelling and advocacy for positive community growth in his hometown of Santa Fe, he continues to advocate for local talent in New Mexico to play a bigger part in the film industry.
Elisa Montoya
VP Planning and Policy, Meow Wolf, Inc.
Elisa brings nearly 25 years of community engagement, political, and operations
experience. Since 2017, she’s held a wide range of leadership roles in Meow Wolf. Among her accomplishments, she served as our inhouse legal counsel for three years, led our COVID response during two active construction projects, and also set up our workplace safety program, while overseeing corporate facilities and insurance during a time of great transformation for our company. Elisa currently manages our planning and policy efforts with a focus on government affairs. Before joining Meow Wolf, Elisa served at the highest levels of government, advancing civic engagement and public service. She spent time working in the US House of Representatives and Senate as a legislative and community counsel to elected officials from California, Colorado, and Nevada. She also worked at the local government level as an advisor to the City and County of Denver. In Barack Obama’s White House, Elisa worked in Presidential Personnel and also as the Counselor to the Director & White House Liaison at the Peace Corps. She advised presidential candidates (Kerry-Edwards, Hillary for America, and Obama-Biden) during national elections on topics ranging from Latinx community outreach, civil rights, and telecommunications and technology policy. Most recently she served on the Biden-Harris White House Office of Management & Budget Transition Team.
Elisa is a graduate of Stanford University and also the University of Southern California Law Center and Annenberg School of Communication where she obtained a JD and MA in Entertainment Management. She lives in Santa Fe, NM, where her family has been for many many generations and is thrilled to be a part of the Meow Wolf family.
Jason S. Ordaz
He/Him/His, Communications Director
Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)
Jason S. Ordaz is a distinguished leader and seasoned professional in the communications, marketing, and branding field, boasting an impressive 24-year career based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With a keen focus on creativity and meticulous attention to detail, he has successfully spearheaded the rebranding of the School for Advanced Research's (SAR) highly acclaimed centennial campaign.
Ordaz’s exceptional writing and photography have garnered recognition in esteemed international and national publications such as Vogue, The Smithsonian, The New York Times, Progresso Fotografico Magazine, Santa Fe New Mexican, Pasatiempo, and THE Magazine, among others.
In his capacity as the Communications Director at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), he occupies a pivotal senior leadership role within the IAIA President’s Cabinet, collaborating closely with seven distinguished colleagues. His distinctive editorial, design, and photographic style have reinvigorated IAIA’s global brand awareness, firmly placing the university at the forefront of recognition.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ordaz is deeply passionate about supporting Native and Indigenous communities. He has cultivated meaningful relationships with individuals, tribal nation communities, and prominent organizations, including Marvel and Disney, The Jane Goodall Institute, CalArts, Nike, The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, The Santa Fe Botanical Garden, as well as numerous local magazines and publishers.
Ordaz’s career is marked by a commitment to excellence and a genuine dedication to the causes he champions. His impact resonates throughout the communication field and the communities he tirelessly supports.
Milton Riess
Milton has over 35 years of professional experience deep inside the hard and fast trenches of the Film and Television industry. He is currently Chair of the Film Department at Santa Fe Community College, primarily heading their Film Production, Film Crew Training Program, and Workforce Development. Milton is also a Council person on the Santa Fe Film and Digital Media Council.
Milton moved to Santa Fe 13 years ago from Los Angeles. After one of his shows got cancelled (and they all do), he came to Santa Fe for a long weekend. By the end of the weekend, he rented a place, and a month later, he became a resident.
Milton has worked as a writer, script doctor, director, technical director and actor. Several of his screenplays have won international awards (2012 Hollywood Screenplay Contest, International Family Film Festival Competition, Semi-finalist in Zoetrope Screenplay Competition). He has been Lighting Director and Technical Director on several Emmy award-winning TV series for NBC/E! Networks as well as countless other TV shows, pilots, commercials, and music videos—250+ productions in all.
Dr. Elizabeth Kianu Stahmer
Stagecoach Foundation, Inc. Executive Director
Dr. Elizabeth Kianu Stahmer, DAOM, Executive Director of Stagecoach Foundation, Inc., has dedicated her career to helping people find health and wellness in their lives through education and workforce development, from preschool teaching to clinical practice to program development in higher education. She recognizes the exponential empowerment that comes from people having access to learning and rewarding career opportunities that supports themselves and their families. Today, she brings her experiences together to provide free training in front of and behind the camera and access to work for New Mexicans in our blooming film and tv industry. Dr. Stahmer received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Indigenous Liberal Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts and has a Master’s from Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine and a Clinical Doctorate from American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Jacqueline Frank Stapleton
Jacqueline Frank has over thirty years' experience in international media and communications, and project management. She recently led a session on what an Assistant Director does for the intern cohort of May 2022, for Stagecoach and SFCC.
Ms. Frank began her career in movies and television in New York City, where she worked as a DGA Assistant Director in movies and television, including movies such as “Sophie’s Choice, Brewster’s Millions, Moscow on the Hudson”, and the acclaimed TV series “Law & Order”, as well as award-winning documentary series such as “3-2-1 Contact”, “The Mind” “Lonely Planet” and “Globe Trekker TV”.
She then decided to re-direct her career into the non-profit sector, returning to school and attaining a mid-career Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), graduating in 2005. Upon graduation Ms. Frank began leading media development projects around the world, in countries which included Iraq, Bangladesh, Serbia, Egypt, Sudan, and Kenya, training journalists throughout the developing world. While living in Kenya from 2011-2015, Jacqueline led a regional project for UNDP (United Nations Development Program), training journalists in 20 African countries on how to cover climate change.
Ms. Frank served as a Board Member for New York Women in Film for 4 years, and was a judge on international feature documentaries for the EMMYs. Since moving to Santa Fe in 2018, she served on the Board of the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA), and has been volunteering for the Santa Fe Institute and for Global Santa Fe.
Dyanna Taylor
Dyanna Taylor is an Emmy Award-winning Director, Cinematographer, and Director of Photography for documentary and feature films. She has been honored with the Muse Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Vision and Achievement in Cinematography from New York Women in Film and Television.
Recently completed as Director of Photography are a series of dramatic period films in Lithuania and a new biopic on Georgia O’Keeffe all to be released 2024. Dyanna lensed the 2022 CCN documentary Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, and as Scenic Unit Director directed in China for the Disney film Mulan. Dyanna filmed and directed Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning, a feature documentary about her grandmother the photographer Dorothea Lange. Her multiple credits include work for HBO, PBS, ABC, CBS, and National Geographic.
Dyanna is a frequent guest lecturer at museums, universities and film events on subjects including filmmaking, cinematography, and women in film.
Tara Tovarek
Tara Tovarek works as Line Producer and DGA UPM with industry leaders that include Rian Johnson, Walter Hill, Spike Lee, John R. Leonietti, and Joe Carnahan. Based in Santa Fe, Tara continually teams up on movies & television series around the world, as well as right here in beautiful New Mexico. Tara is repped by UTA.
James Wysong
Dr. James (Jim) Wysong is the Dean of the Schools of Art and Design and Liberal Arts at Santa Fe Community College (SFCC). Dr. Wysong brings more than 35 years of higher education experience to the position, having served as a faculty member, department chair and dean during his career. As dean, Dr. Wysong oversees the Film and Digital Arts Program. He has been actively engaged in efforts to support and grow the local film and digital media economy by offering high-quality degree programs, certificates, specialized training, and job placement opportunities.