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Entourage.

Alexandra Nakelski

Director

Because my resume is so vast, it would almost sound like I am making it up… so I am electing rather to speak of my vision for the festival. The following is a stream of conscious when I was asked what this festival means to me…

I use the word “entourage ” in an endearing way….from living most my adult life in LA….I found that one can be fabulous, all inclusive and party while engaging in intellectual conversation simultaneously. At my festival there is no way NOT be part of the entourage…you are by default part of the mix…

What I noticed in my 15 -year tenure of working festivals is that tons of people get lost in navigating it all by themselves in a city they are not familiar with. I hated these experiences and vowed to one day start my own festival that focused on the camaraderie as much as the content.

The social aspect of the festival should never be exclusive. Everybody involved should all collaborate in discussing how the meaning resonated with them. The audience is a huge factor…almost as important as the invited guests…because in my academic research, spectatorship is what forms meaning and is crucial in understanding the film’s role in the zeitgeist.

It is an experience….

To me, life is cinematic, and cinema is life. We’ve designed our festival to reflect that philosophy.

This is also a destination festival…we want you to experience the city as well as the films which is why I have a filmmaker beach bonfire to open up the festival and the party at the gorgeous rooftop at the Huntington Hilton (Offshore 9) where we can bask in the awesomeness of it all. I never program films at the same time of this event…I don’t want people to have to choose between the VIP party and a film, or for my volunteers to have to miss out…I also do not like when other festivals treat their volunteers like indentured servants!

Alexandra Nakelski

Scott Schuster

Gen X-odus Contributor and Co-Host

Ali and I have known each other for almost 30 years creating genius projects together along the way.  I am an Artist and Entrepreneur who recently absconded to “La Isle del Encanto” to launch my YouTube channels “Dos Gringos in Puerto Rico” and “Dos Gringos of the Caribbean”. My partner Shad and I, own and operate a jet ski rental business servicing the Northwest region of the island. Prior to my recent endeavors, I performed in National Touring shows throughout the mainland, and most recently, was the Technical Director for two theater companies directing over 70 shows during my tenure. I am an avid Gen-Xer who actually did exodus to the islands and excited to galvanize the next chapter of my life. Like and subscribe!

Scott Schuster

Diana Nakelski

Gen X-odus Co-Host/Fan Favorite

Amy Peterson

Producer/Guest Liaison
Amy Peterson

Beth Reiners

Documentary Programmer
I am a video producer in Waterloo, Iowa with dreams to someday move far away and break into the film world. I’ve been working with Zeitgeist since 2018, screening films, planning logistics, and of course, meeting awesome people!

I have a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Wartburg College, and am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in journalism from Harvard Extension School. I’m looking forward to another great festival in 2021! I’m a true crime documentary junkie, but live for documentaries of all types. Please no artsy fartsy films!

Beth Reiners

Agnese Krastkalne

Producer
I was at an event at the Oberhausen Film Festival in Germany and I hear a booming voice behind me say, “It is you I came to speak to!” I turn around and feel I am looking into the eyes of my Doppelganger. Agnese, the producer of 2ANNAS in Riga, Latvia, hunted me down to see if I wanted to collaborate. And we have …for over four years now. Let me tell you about Agnese…she came out to my festival in Amsterdam, having never been to the city and within a couple of days mastered all the roads, trains and trams and had every single person picked up from the airport without me needing to coordinate. We were all on a houseboat and thought we overslept after a late late night and had to go make an airport run…the phone rings. She was up before all of us at the crack of dawn and at the airport before we even rolled out of bed! I would trust Agnese with anything, she is one of the most reliable people I ever met…and the most fun. Unfortunately, her visa was not approved this year because of COVID…but she will always be welcome and a part of our entourage. Sending love to Latvia, it won’t be the same without you, Agnese!

Laura De La O

Cultural Analyst
Laura “the Brunette” De La O
Laura took my Late 20th Century American Science Fiction Film class at the University of New Mexico back in 2012 and the thrill to have a student now my colleague is indescribable… If you want to have an epic conversation about everything from the Strand Theory, the Singularity, Quantum Mechanics …the basic time space continuum to Beavis and Butthead….look no further. Laura’s intelligence is matched only by her wit. Reunited after 7 years, Laura has offered her editing prowess and genius film reviewing savvy to our festival.
She has years of radio and television broadcast under her belt, now currently serving as the Senior Promotions Producer at KNME-TV, and I have no doubt, world domination on her horizon…
Laura De La O ​

Danny Osborne

Guest Liaison
Danny Osborne

Donna Kavanagh

Zeitgeist Alumnus and Director / Executive Producer at Dk Music & Sound
Born and raised in New Zealand’s North Shore, Auckland, I grew up at the beach with a love for peaceful reflective spaces. Sifting my toes through the sand, listening to the birds, cicadas and crashing waves on the shoreline. The fresh salty air and the smell of summer bbq’s, fish and chips and sunscreen. Finding a space to empty my mind and watch people, imagining what stories they had to tell. I found inspiration in the simplicity of nature. This was the perfect balance after spending long hours in front of a computer manipulating midi and hours of wading through instrument patches and tinkering away on a Korg i3 and M1 in the early 90’s. I would spend Friday and Saturday nights watching movies with my parents who wouldn’t let me watch television or the radio – I lived for these moments! Film became part of my thought process and began to inspire me in new ways. The aim of composition and sound design is to connect with each project’s story to add depth and meaning with emotion. I find this form of artistic expression deeply satisfying and liberating. Weaving the textures of instruments into a world of experimental sound design to create moments of reflection and/or emotion to colour and enhance the viewer’s perspective of a story. I also thoroughly enjoy inspiring and motivating others to do the same through mentorship and running various classes and workshops on scoring and scene sonics. The Zeitgeist family are very dear to me, we share the same passion for people, connection, collaboration, art and story-telling. It is a film festival like no other – an unforgettable experience. You will discover new friends, understanding, and be truly inspired. This is one you won’t want to miss!

Nicole Chen

Zeitgeist Alumnus/Owner of Ru-o Studi-o Ltd.
Nicole Chen is a film and commercial director based in Auckland, New Zealand. Born and raised in China, Nicole lived just north of the Hong Kong border during the Golden Film era, watching every film she could lay her eyes on. To her, filmmaking was an unreachable dream she is now living. Nicole has directed a short documentary, 4 short films, and a few commercials while completing her Master’s Degree in Screen Production from The University of Auckland. Three of her short films have been screened around the world with a few awards, and one of her recent commercials has won a silver award. 
 
Nicole Chen

Boxie van Gerrisheim

Entourage Fans’ Favorite
Desperately trying to claw his way into Los Angeles, ironically enough Boxie’s presence will be missed by most, if not all. This lack will be compensated by his spiritual presence – when you walk into one of the venues or parties, and suddenly you feel about 12 times cooler than you usually would, you know you’ve been blessed by the spiritual shroud of epicness that Boxie would normally bring in person. Retired musician turned actor and writer, Boxie’s been a fan favorite of this festival for the third year in a row. “Hollywood from Amsterdam”, as his nickname goes, has a specialization in watching movies and films with the perspective of a child: honest, pure, and not thinking about all hidden layers in the picture. Now also working as a casting director in Amsterdam, he has a keen eye for acting talent, and loves watching characters come to life on the silver screen. Awesome company to drink a beer with, with a weak spot for chicken wings.
Boxie van Gerrisheim

Steve Armor

Gen X-odus Co-Host/Fan Favorite
Steve Armor

Mirelle Timmerman

Amsterdam Liaison
Mirelle Timmerman

Shad Schoonover

Puerto Rico Liaison
Shad Schoonover