AFF Staff - Austin Film Festival

Meet Our Staff!

Bringing writers, filmmakers, and the community together.

Want to work with us? Volunteer, Intern, or check out our job opportunities!

Click on the staff image to view their bio!

Barbara Morgan - Executive Director

Barbara Morgan serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Austin Film Festival. Since co-founding the organization in 1993, she has shepherded the festival from a weekend of films and panels into a week-long celebration of storytelling through film, television, and other emerging forms of narrative media. Known as the prominent festival that champions screenwriters and media creators, the Festival also boasts over a dozen internationally acclaimed film and screenplay competitions, diverse youth education programs, and a sprawling calendar of year-round events.

Leveraging the vast amount of footage recorded at these events since its inception, Morgan created the festivals On Story Project in 2009, and serves as the project’s Executive Producer. A conglomerate of mainly digital resources, On Story includes a television show (available on PBS affiliated stations nationwide), radio show (distributed by PRI and NPR affiliated stations), podcast series, a three-part book series (published in partnership with UT press), and extensive public archive, making the Festival experience free and open to the public at large. She has received 2 Lone Star Emmy’s for On Story episodes, Breaking Bad: A Conversation with Vince Gilligan and for the Season 8 episode Script to Screen: Arrival in 2018.

Morgan is an independent film producer, whose films have included Natural Selection, Antone’s: Home of the Blues, Portrait of Wally, and Spring Eddy. She serves on a number of boards, including Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center, and The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. Morgan lives in Austin, Texas with her daughter, Hannah, and two dogs.

Barb@austinfilmfestival.com

Barbara Morgan

Executive Director

email Barb

Colin Hyer - Creative Director

Colin Hyer serves as the Creative Director of Austin Film Festival where he oversees all Festival programming. In addition to orchestrating the annual Writers Conference and year-round events, he works in tandem with the organization’s Film Department and Script Competitions Department to plan, promote, and maintain a connected program that celebrates and champions storytellers. He originally served as AFF’s Young Filmmakers Program Coordinator before stepping into the role of Conference Director in 2017. Originally from Wisconsin, Colin moved to Austin after graduating from Columbia College Chicago. Before joining Austin Film Festival full-time, he taught video production to youth for five years through non-profit organizations like Austin School of Film, Creative Action, and Austin Film Festival’s Young Filmmakers Program. Outside of the office, Colin enjoys reading Stephen King novels and playing with his dog Mayo.

Colin@austinfilmfestival.com

Colin Hyer

Creative Director

email Colin

Casey Baron - Chair of the Uplifting Storytellers Initiative Advisory Board and Game Writing Track Consultant

Born and raised in the small island of Dominica located in the West Indies, Casey Baron moved to Austin after graduating from Florida State University with a degree in English – Editing, Writing, and Media. While attending FSU, Casey worked for The Torchlight Program. During his time there, he was the Team Leader and Personal Assistant to film industry veteran Paul Cohen, the program’s Executive Director. Beyond that creative venture, Casey has also been an editor on a handful of literary magazines, including FSU’s The Kudzu Review and Miami Dade College’s AXIS Creative Arts Magazine.

Casey has been a part of the Austin Film Festival family for three years running; starting off as an intern before climbing the ladder to become the festival’s Shorts Programmer for its 25th anniversary, and Senior Film Program Director after that. He’s excited to jump into his new role as the Director of Programming and Industry Relations, and continuing the organizational and personal mission of championing storytellers. When he’s not racing to find interesting stories, Casey spends his spare time watching basketball and soccer, listening to music, and playing with his dog Niobe.

Casey Baron

Chair of the Uplifting Storytellers Initiative Advisory Board
and Game Writing Track Consultant

email Casey

Carla Click - Managing Director

A fifth-generation Texan, Carla has a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas. Her work experience covers communications, film and television, fine arts, graphic design, and nonprofit sectors. Carla loves good storytelling, history, preservation and design. Her student films are part of a Texas film archive, and she prints her own designs on a 150-year-old letterpress. Carla has been an AFF volunteer and attendee for many years, and joined the staff in 2022. One of her favorite things to do is swing dancing to Austin’s live music. Over a glass of wine, ask her about learning the importance of listening from Norman Lear.

Carla Click

Managing Director

email Carla

Alyssa Alvarado - Screenplay Department Director

Alyssa Alvarado serves as the Screenplay Department Manager of the Austin Film Festival where she oversees Screenplay Competition and Coverage program. Born in El Paso and raised in Houston, Alyssa moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas at Austin graduating with a B.S . in Radio-Television-Film. Before joining Austin Film Festival, she lived in LA for a couple of years and worked for the Producers Guild of America. Outside of the office, Alyssa enjoys working out, going to concerts and the Austin nightlife.

Alyssa Alvarado

Screenplay Department Director

email Alyssa

Ana Dragomir - Script Competition Manager

Ana Dragomir serves as the Screenplay Competition Manager at Austin Film Festival overseeing our Screenplay Reader program. Born in Bucharest, Romania, she moved to Austin, Texas to pursue her passion for screenwriting and film which led her to graduate with a B.S in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin with a minor in Business Administration. Ana was originally an intern for AFF before stepping into the role of Screenplay Competition Manager in May 2022. When she’s not working at AFF she enjoys working on her feature script, watching films with her cat Cleo, and discovering new restaurants in Austin.

Ana Dragomir

Script Competition Manager

email Ana

Davina Works - Screenplay Assistant

Davina Works is a born bread Austinite, Actress and Personal Trainer. She does commercial, print and acting for film/television working on set as talent and crew. She attended University of Houston where she received a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Spanish. When Davina is not on set, training clients or approving scripts you can find her at the park, meditating somewhere or pool side if weather permits. Davina worked as the Registration Manager last festival and has now shifted her skill-set to the Screenplay Department.

Davina Works

Screenplay Assistant

email Davina

Kat Sparks - Reader Coordinator

Kat Sparks is a writer and theatre director in Austin, Texas. In 2018 she was selected as one of the New American Voices by the Queens Theatre, New York for her stage play, Dear Penelope, and voted by the public as a top drama director (theatre) in Austin. Her screenplay, Wolves of Beirut, has won eleven festival awards and been top-listed on The Black List. Kat is a cofounder of Southwest Theatre Productions in Austin, Texas where she produces and directs professional theatre and hosts an annual playwriting competition. For the past nine years she has provided script coverage and producibility analysis for playwrights. She began screenplay analysis over twenty years ago by reading for The Matthau Company, and later for SpecScout, the Austin Film Festival, and for numerous individual clients.

Kat Sparks

Reader Coordinator

Isabella Garcia - Conference Coordinator

100% Venezuelan blood and an international upbringing spread between Austria, Brazil, the U.S., and Spain led her to be fluent in five languages and have a rooted understanding of connection across different cultures. She found passion in filmmaking and storytelling because of that; and formally graduated from ACC’s Radio, Television & Film program in May 2020. #GoRiverbats! Although it’s hard to choose, her favorite parts of filmmaking are screenwriting and sound design.

Isabella joined the Austin Film Festival internship program before starting her role as Conference Coordinator. She is absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to encourage artistic community in Austin. If she’s not watching Alex Pina’s newest series with her orange cat 50 Cent, you can find her eating fruit at Zilker Park, or swimming at Commons Ford.

Isabella Garcia

Conference Coordinator

email Isabella

Olivia Crouch - On Story Producer

Born and raised in Austin, Olivia Crouch moved to Chicago to pursue a BFA in Film Editing with a minor in Documentary Production from DePaul University. After graduation, she returned to her hometown to pursue a career in live music and event production!

Olivia originally joined the Austin Film Festival team as an intern before coming into her role as Office Manager. She is excited to be a part of an organization that works towards championing storytellers. In her spare time, you can find Olivia hiking, playing cards at Barton Springs, and spending time with her dog Mojo.

Olivia Crouch

On Story Producer

email Olivia

Elizabeth Mims - On Story Executive Producer

Elizabeth grew up in Austin, Texas and graduated with a BFA from CalArts. Her 2012 film Only The Young was theatrically released by Oscilloscope and won numerous awards including the Silverdoc’s Sterling Silver Award for best US documentary, American Film Institute Audience Award, and was nominated for a Spirit Award. Elizabeth directed The Normal Guy an ad that won Austin Addy’s best in Show in 2021. Elizabeth was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Indie Film and worked as the Senior Film Programmer for the Austin Film Festival for over 5 years. She works in film represented by UTA as a writer, director, editor and producer.

Elizabeth Mims

On Story Executive Producer

Jamal Knox - On Story Radio & Podcast Producer

Jamal Knox is an Austin-based audio engineer and musician. He has been working in the live music scene since 2009, playing for local and national acts as well as providing audio-visual and post-production services for bands, companies & artists. He joined the Austin Film Festival On Story® team in 2012 and most recently served as the Lead Radio Editor. Jamal is a lover of animals, storytelling, and parts unknown and is a skilled multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer. In his free time he participates in events for various arts organizations, produces music and travels.

Jamal Knox

On Story Radio & Podcast Producer

email Jamal

Marcey White - Development Director

Marcey began working with Austin Film Festival to establish sponsorships for the On Story Project public television and podcast series. As Development Director she delivers custom sponsor and partner opportunities for the most effective marketing platform! Prior to her move to Austin in 2019 Marcey’s advertising and sponsorship career included positions with Baltimore’s NPR Station WYPR, Maryland Public Television/The PBS Sponsorship Group, and CBS Radio.

Marcey White

Development Director

email Marcey

Grace Donaldson - Office Manager

Grace Donaldson serves as Austin Film Festival’s Office Manager, where she serves as a liaison between all departments, oversees all major projects throughout the year, and maintains the festival’s mission. A recent University of Texas graduate with a Radio, Television, Film degree, Grace is eager to further her career at an organization whose mission is to further the art and craft of storytelling. Before joining the AFF team full-time, Grace worked as a production runner with the Longhorn Network and ESPN, where she found a passion for the fast-paced world of live media production. When she’s not in the office, you can find Grace writing, playing guitar, or watching movies.

Grace Donaldson

Office Manager

email Grace

Travis Broughton - Marketing Director

After twenty-plus years in the music industry, Travis Broughton joined Austin Film Festival as Marketing Director. He worked for an independent music promotion firm for the past decade, helping many artists in multiple genres begin and further their careers. Before that, Travis did marketing and promotions for radio stations in Austin and Albuquerque, NM. He lives in Round Rock with his wife, two daughters, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Travis Broughton

Marketing Director

email Travis

Khoi Banks - Marketing Coordinator

Khoi grew up in Hampton, Virginia, where she then attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. While at VCU, she studied Public Relations and ran D1 Track and Field. Khoi moved to Austin in 2022 to work for Austin Film Festival and be around people who are just as passionate about television and film as she is and loves the culture that AFF has created over the years for the writing community. She loves to watch TV, listen to music, photography, and read in her spare time when not in the office.

Khoi Banks

Marketing Coordinator

email Khoi

Andy Volk - Lead Film Programmer

Growing up in Tucson, Arizona Andy found a deep passion for film between his uncles endlessly quoting Monty Python and theater-hopping to escape the summer heat. That obsession turned into a B.A. in Film Studies from Seattle University, where he worked for Seattle International Film Festival and freelanced in the industry. His documentaries garnered awards across the festival circuit in 2021, bringing him to Austin where he quickly found a home in the vibrant ATX film scene. As Shorts Programmer, he’s driven by supporting emerging filmmakers and sharing stories with the potential to cultivate positive change. When not watching or making movies, Andy is off playing the drums, reading about the cosmos, or running around taking photos.

Andy Volk

Lead Film Programmer

email Andy

Marissa Padden - Film Administrator

Marissa is currently serving in her first year as the Film Administrator for AFF where she oversees the logistical functions of the Film Department. However, she is no stranger to the festival! In the past four years she has also served as the festival’s Theater Operations Manager and Conference Coordinator. She is a Nebraska native who graduated summa cum laude from Texas State University with a B.A. in Communication Studies. In addition to her work with AFF, she is also an independent film producer and award-winning actor and voiceover artist. When she isn’t working or pursuing her passion for the arts you can find her spending time with friends, reorganizing her room (again), or planning her next trip to Uganda!

Marissa Padden

Film Administrator

email Marissa

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Roy Morgan - Canine Relations

If you visit, you’re likely to run into Roy Morgan.

He’s a big fan of head pats, belly scratches, and great filmic storytelling. Follow us on social media — especially instagram — to get more updates from this cool canine.

Roy Morgan

Director of Canine Relations

Mayonnaise Hyer - Conference Canine

Mayonnaise started at Austin Film Festival in 2016. She assists in planning the annual Writers Conference and Year-Round Events and provides security for the office and staff.

Mayonnaise Hyer

Conference Canine

MoJo Mallard - Pup Project Manager

Keeps the office running.

MoJo Mallard

Pup Project Manager

The folks [at AFF] share our passion…Which is, of course, why they are so damn adept at crafting a conference that manages to satisfy the needs and desires of all of us attending.”
-Scott Rosenberg, screenwriter

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