More Than a Jury: The People Behind Planet Frame

Who chooses the films that make it into an international film festival? Behind every screening is a team of professionals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This year, the Planet Frame jury brings together experts from education, environmental science, business, and international cinema.

When you come to a film festival, take your seat, and wait for the lights to dim, what are you thinking about at that moment?

What films will be shown today?

Will you discover a new filmmaker whose work stays with you long after the credits roll?

How many months did it take to prepare this festival?

Or maybe you're simply deciding what snack to enjoy during the screening?

But have you ever wondered who decides which films make it into the festival program? Who watches hundreds of submissions to select the very best? Who are these people? Film critics? Directors? Screenwriters?

The answer depends on the festival.

This year, Planet Frame International Youth Short Film Festival once again brings together audiences and young filmmakers from around the world. And serving on this year's international jury are a humanities professor, a hydrologist, the director of an educational center, and the director of an international film festival.

"Why them?" you might ask.

Because each of them views a film through a different lens.

At first glance, these people seem to have very little in common. They come from different countries, represent different professions, and have followed very different career paths. Yet it is this diversity of experience that makes the Planet Frame jury unique. For a festival that brings together cinema, education, and environmental awareness, this isn't a coincidence—it's a deliberate choice.

Jane Cantwell (USA) teaches American Studies and Humanities at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Morganton. Before joining NCSSM, she spent many years teaching British and American literature, ethics, and philosophy at Western Piedmont Community College while also working with gifted students through dual-enrollment programs.

Years of teaching have given Jane the ability to see beyond filmmaking techniques and recognize the deeper ethical and human questions raised by young filmmakers. Her academic interests include bioethics, data justice, artificial intelligence, and the moral dimensions of the American Dream.

Marshall Taylor (USA) is a hydrologist with more than 45 years of experience in water resources and serves as Chair of the Community Science Committee at the Lake James Environmental Association.

Her passion for environmental education began through the Kids in the Creek program, which combines science, hands-on learning, and youth involvement in protecting natural resources.

Because Planet Frame is an environmental film festival, Marshall brings an essential perspective to the jury. She evaluates films not only as works of art, but also as powerful tools for environmental education and public awareness.

Lily Laramie (USA) leads the Small Business Center at Western Piedmont Community College, where she helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. She also works closely with local schools, helping young people explore career opportunities and alternative paths to success.

Working every day with people who are building their future has given Lily a deep appreciation for determination, resilience, and initiative—qualities she will also be looking for in the work of young filmmakers.

Elena Dimitrova-Tabanova (Bulgaria) is the Chair of the Academy of Film and Television, CEO, and co-founder of the International Film Festival Slavic Fairy Tale.

Having spent many years in independent cinema, she understands how difficult the journey of a young filmmaker can be. That experience allows her to recognize not only technical excellence but also sincerity, originality, and the personal voice behind every film.

Each jury member represents a different profession.

But they all share one thing.

Every one of them understands what it means to work toward a goal for years, to face setbacks, to question yourself, and to keep moving forward anyway. That is why they see more than just a finished film. They see the person behind it.

And that is what makes Planet Frame special.

The founder of the festival, Anna Raevskaya, follows these same principles. In one of my previous articles, I shared the story of her journey into filmmaking and the creation of Planet Frame. Today, I'd like to highlight another important milestone.

Anna has been a member of the Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio for many years. This year, she also joined the 2027 SIMA Awards Preselection Committee, becoming a jury member herself—this time, for an international awards program rather than her own festival.

"Serving on the international preselection committee will allow me to discover new independent films, meet filmmakers and film professionals from around the world, and continue building meaningful international connections," Anna says. "These experiences and relationships will help Planet Frame continue to grow while creating new opportunities for future festival participants."

I hope this article encourages you to think a little differently about film festivals. Behind every screening are people who look beyond beautiful cinematography and visual effects. They see the filmmaker's determination, ideas, values, and passion for telling a meaningful story.

On September 25–26, the Planet Frame International Youth Short Film Festival returns to Morganton, North Carolina.

And perhaps this year, you'll discover a film you'll remember for many years to come.