During the festival, Terri is the person that keeps everything stitched together. The seams may stretch with all the fun and commotion, but her steady hand makes sure nothing comes apart.

You’ll spot her at the box office most of the week, calm amid the buzz. She’s also the one guiding our volunteers, making sure every shift, schedule, and smile lines up just right. Wondering about the films? Terri’s seen them all and can steer you toward the perfect pick.

Every event needs someone who is a great ambassador, and she does it with the poise of a true diplomat.

The library venue is crucial to the success of the BSFF. Luckily Cristin is part of the BSFF crew!

As head librarian she’s made the festival really shine by increasing the awareness of the festival throughout San Diego county. She hosts the library panels as well as the FREE library screenings.

Her admiration for the fest is almost as impressive as her admiration for our village, “There is something very special about the community of Borrego Springs. It is hard to put your finger on exactly. It feels like time slows down, and what’s most important in life springs forth.”

The Head Honcho. The Big Cheese. Top Dog.

That’s Fred Jee, chairman of the board.

He’s done everything from getting this entire Hootenany started over a decade ago, to local business outreach, to volunteer organization, to fund raising, to promotions, to MC’ing, to running library panel sessions, to performing skits during the award ceremony in skin tight neon green jumpsuits.

Take this guy to a restaurant and buy him a lunch! He’s earned it. Sometimes the hard way.

Russ is a crafty dude and you’ll see him behind the scenes setting up equipment, building stages, and even taking photos. Busy guy!

He is a retired actor, director, theatrical technician, and Vietnam veteran, who, after graduating from San Diego State and Portland State Colleges, worked in educational and regional theaters all over the country. This is his first sojourn into film making, a life long dream. A San Diego native, he currently lives in Borrego Springs with his rescue dog Gili Elohe ('G' for short).

You’ll see Brice around grabbing photographs for the film fest. During the months before, he’s helping organize and produce the event.

Brice’s main gig is as an award winning wildlife photographer, focused on exploration and nature conservation.  Throughout his life, Brice has always been captivated by the beauty within nature.  An adventurer spirit became cultivated by stories of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and photographs taken by Ansel Adams.  This led to his own photographic story telling expeditions from hiking to Mount Everest Base Camp and diving with great white sharks of off Guadalupe Island.

He also has the best beard on the BSFI • BSFF staff.

Before the festival Catherine hits the streets and organizes with local businesses to partner with the BSFI • BSFF. Do you like those discounts and coupons you’re getting from the BSFF? She’s a big part of why that’s happening!

Catherine majored in Theatre Arts at Immaculate Heart college in Los Feliz, CA, the current campus of the American Film Institute.  She went on to work in the professional theatre, at the Shubert Theatre and Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, for The Nederlander’s American Corporation of the Arts in Honolulu and for renowned Broadway Producer, David Merrick.  As a Company Manager she toured with Broadway musicals throughout the United States and in Canada and Japan.  After a lifetime of being involved in arts and entertainment, she is excited to be working with the Borrego Springs Film Institute and to support the mission of this worthwhile organization. 

Part of the festival’s collective known as “The BSFF’s Matts,”

Matt B. had a long career in video playback, working on series like 24, House MD, and Grey’s Anatomy.

After leaving Los Angeles and television production behind, he relocated to Borrego Springs with his wife and began teaching English (ESL). Creatively, he splits his time between film making and music.

Matt has written and directed three short films, all of which have played at the Borrego Springs Film Festival. Matt loves living and working in Borrego Springs and being a part of the BSFI • BSFF.

Alicia volunteers to help curate media before and during the festival, and she’s been involved with the BSFF for over a decade. She also assembles the program guide annually.

You’ll often see Alicia popping in to take a bunch of photos during Q&A or during the parties.

In addition to all that, she’s been a director that has screened dozens of films at the BSFF!

Part of the festival’s collective known as “The BSFF’s Matts.”

Matt is one of the folks that helps set things up before the event, and then the fest unfolds and the BSFF staff knocks it out of the park!

His last name starts with a “N” so he’s Matt N.