SFS TEAM

ben andrews

As founder of the Seattle Film Summit, Ben is realizing a dream — to mobilize the extraordinary talent and resources in the Northwest to create a robust local film industry. As a Seattle based Actor, Director, Producer, and local film advocate, his projects have been in over 200 festivals around the world and have won multiple awards. In 2013, he founded the Seattle Film Summit with a singular goal of expanding film opportunities in the Seattle area. Now, the summit has evolved into an event and moment that welcomes all creatives. As a member of the Washington State Film Leadership council and a board member of SIFF, he is a tireless advocate for showcasing creative talent in Washington State.

Marcel Bauer

Marcel is a professional portrait photographer at MKBauer Photography, which is how he found his way to Seattle Film Summit. Marcel was asked to come on the set of the short film Jameson and do some behind the scenes photography. After spending the day with the crew, he just knew he needed to get more involved with this magic called film. Since then he has dabbled in writing, directing and producing a couple short videos for other conventions. He began his film summit journey by becoming an SFS ambassador bringing in sponsors and partners. This will be Marcel’s fourth year with the film summit and is now Social Media Director.

kristin raven

Kristin completed the University of Washington Screenwriting Certificate Program in 2017. She joined the Northwest Screenwriters Guild in 2018 and became the Events Chair to help foster the link between Hollywood and the screenwriting community in the Pacific Northwest. She went on to be the 2019 Vice-President and is currently serving as the 2020 President. Kristin is a two-year member of The Bigfoot Green Room.

Andrea Hays

Andrea Hays has been involved in theater and film since the 60’s…baby…

Preferring to work behind the scenes on sets/costume design/special effects make-up and props, Andrea occasionally strays in front of the camera.

She is internationally known for her role as “Heidi” in all three seasons of "Twin Peaks"and the “Fire Walk, with me” TP film.

Her iconic giggle was even made into a ringtone.

25 years as a charge nurse developed her skills as a producer, winning several festival awards for her work.

She has volunteered for the Summit since its inception and has been part of the Director’s Staff for three years now.

She was recently elected to the Board of Women in Film and will serve as the new Workshop chair.

Hannah Walls

Hannah is a film director, screenwriter, and award-winning producer from Colorado, who moved out here for college and fell in love with the PNW. She is currently attending the University of Washington for her MS in Entrepreneurship and hopes to use this combined with her films to create spaces of community, empowerment, and growth.

marissa fujimoto

Marissa Fujimoto is fully engaged in the film, video and production process. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Sanford-Brown College, specializing in digital media. Her post-production work is most notable on shows such as “Hoarders” and “Project Afterlife”. Additionally, she has produced local “48 hours” films, earning her the Real Grrls Outstanding Producer Award in 2015. In 2018, Marissa produced another Holly Short’s original short film, “Jameson”, directed by John Humber. This was her third short film to make it to Hollywood and her first year under her production company Slager Fuj Creative Media, which offers film, video, and design services.  

MONICA HERLEY

Monica is a Seattle based artist, educator, and writer. She has been writing and directing personal projects since her pre-teen years and is currently developing a board game aimed at spiritual ascension. The Summit is thrilled to have Monica’s heart of service and gift of edification on the team.

Monica has been a teacher in the Renton School District for over ten years and has used her creative talents and grit to reshape conventional instruction and adapt curriculum to be more accessible to underrepresented students. In 2020 she was a top five finalist for Renton’s “Ahead of the Curve” award for excellence in teaching. She is a graduate from Seattle Pacific University with a double major in Theatre and History and holds a Master’s in English Language Learning.

Todd Conley

Todd Conley was born and raised in Renton and spent his youth acting on stage at venues such as Burien Little Theatre, Renton Civic Theatre. In high school he started producing student films, and fell in love with technology and video production. Todd attended the University of Washington, has a background that includes work as a professional tennis coach, Microsoft, and volunteering for dozens of Seattle area nonprofits. He has an MBA in technology management and currently produces livestreams for many clients. Todd is active in the local film community, and this is his third year with the Seattle Film Summit, where he organizes all things tech. 

Abie Ekenezar

Abie Ekenezar is an actress, singer, screen writer and producer living in Seattle, WA. She has an extensive resume and has worked in the entertainment industry professionally with IMDB credits for five years. Abie came on board with the agency, Big Fish Northwest, to work with the next generation of professional TV and Film professionals on “Strowlers”, a fantasy film project that was released by Zombie Orpheus Entertainment in 2018. Abie graduated with a degree in Computer Science, with a minor in Musical Theatre. She has sung all of her life and auditioned and was accepted into the Seton Hall University Choir, touring along the East Coast and internationally in Quebec, Canada. She later found her passion in cosplay and got into the film industry, working on such projects as Grimm, Man In The High Castle, Librarians, Portlandia, and even Z-Nation. Abie has completed multiple projects with Blue Forge Films, Zombie Orpheus Entertainment and recently started her own production company called BabsEk Productions, with projects to be released in 2020.

Volunteers