Florida Film Works!

Award-winning writer, director and producer.

ROBIN HOFMANN started producing content to spread awareness and highlight individuals who may not have had a voice otherwise. Prior to getting into film, Robin earned her degree in Psychology and spent 27 years working with individuals with disabilities. Her film journey began with an online baking show focusing on gluten free recipes and spreading awareness on disabilities. Shortly after, she began interviewing “ordinary people with extraordinary stories” on her online talk show, Chat with Me. These experiences brought her to the art of filmmaking where she began writing, producing and directing independent films.

Screenwriting Lecturer, English Department, University of Central Florida

Jason Gregory is a board member of the Organization of Independent Filmmakers and former President of Orlando Urban Film Festival as well as a current UCF Screenwriting Lecturer.
Jason will moderate the panel and host the audience’s Q&A sessions.

Writer, Director

Chris Ballinger resides in Orlando for the past 25 years. Chris started as an actor but realized he loved being behind the camera; now, he’s an award-winning indie short filmmaker and screenwriter. His award-winning short film Little Z now turned into a series called Saving Little Z. Along with the pilot, he turned the series into a comic book. Chris continues to create plans with an audio drama podcast and two more short films coming out this year. He enjoys getting out, meeting people, and talking about his passion as a creator.

Writer, Director, DAME Media LLC

A Boston native and writer for more than 25 years, has written 8 novels, 6 feature films, over 20 short films, several poetry anthologies and 3 television pilots. Her production company, DAME Media is located in Central Florida. Lagos has a Bachelors of Science in Developmental Psychology from Suffolk University and an Associates in Creative Writing from NYU. She has written and directed for the Theatre for decades, most notably her time at South of Broadway Theatre in Charleston, SC where she was well known for her directorial debut of, “Power Play” which sold out every show.

Programming Coordinator for the Florida Film Festival and the Enzian Theater

TIM ANDERSON has worked in the entertainment industry since 1996. Currently he is the Programming Coordinator for the Florida Film Festival and the Enzian Theater—which was named the “Coolest Movie Theater in Florida” by Cosmopolitan Magazine. The Florida Film Festival is accredited as a qualifying festival for the Oscars® in the Live Action, Documentary, and Animated Short film categories and was named one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” in 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2022 and one of the “40 Great Festivals to Find Your Film a Home (October 2022) by Moviemaker Magazine. Prior to his work with Enzian and the FFF, he produced award-winning shorts and music videos, co-hosted and co-produced the Indie Cinema Showcase for Orange TV, and was a freelance writer for Tribune Co., Amazon.com, Film Threat, Fangoria, and for 8-years at Bloody-Disgusting.com

 
As an actor, Jordan is best known for The Walking Dead, Homeland, Nashville, and as a member of the prestigious Blue Man Group. With a BFA with Honors from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Jordan’s physically-based theatrical training has to led to chameleon-like Film and TV roles opposite Anthony Hopkins, Colin Farrell, Clare Danes, Donald Sutherland, Andrew Lincoln, Connie Britton, Octavia Spencer, Michelle Dockery, Colin O’Donoghue, and more. (All of which were cast from the Book From Tape studios.)
 
As an Acting Coach, Jordan translates his theatrical training for Film and TV actors, empowering them to get into their bodies and out of their heads. He trains his actors (ages 6-76) to harness impulse as a tool, to trust their guts, to work on their feet, to break rules, and, overall, to make bold choices that make a lasting impression through tape. Actors who work with Jordan are taught techniques by Jerzy Grotowski, Laban, Viewpoints, Harold Guskin, and others from his personal Actor’s Tool Box.

Grammy-Award winning drummer, Inferno Music Group CEO, record producer, and music publisher.

WILL COVINGTON is currently Chairperson of Orange Technical College Music Department Advisory Board; Founder of So You Want Your Name In Lights Youth Mentoring Program (501c3 non-profit organization); and since 2011, member of Valencia College Sound & Music Technology Program Advisory Committee in Orlando, Florida. Over his 50+ year music career, Will began as a freelance professional drummer/performer with the Ink Spots, James Brown, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Betty Wright, Raw Soul Express, and toured with The Commodores, The Chi-Lites, Richard “Dimples” Fields, Roy Ayers, and more. He organized and was drummer with Miami’s OMARi Band when he produced their first international hit single, “After Loving You” in 1983. Then in 1985, his drumming skills gained the attention of Blues icon, B B King; who hired him to record Kings’ entire 50th Anniversary album, the Grammy-Award “Six Silver Strings’ project for MCA Records. Afterwards, Will spent many studio hours producing for scores of clients who include Russian famous artist Li Li; Country music artist Chris Martin; Rock music artists Zeg, Petey & Ravins, and Scott Vervill; hip/hop artists Omeez and Peezy & LaLa, Pastor Joan Brightharp (New York), Poet Alonzo McClain (Miami), Deadbolt Revival (Leesburg), R&B artists Nina Skyy and Ariee, and Orlando-based Gospel artists Darwin “D-Brass” Brascomb, Minister Ed Brown, Jr (Notorious Praise), Gospel Daytonaires, Deadbolt Revival (Leesburg,FL), Gwen Covington; and three So You Want Your Name In Lights Gospel Showcase Winners: Jamarien Moore (who subsequently became BET Sunday’s Best Finalist/Season 5), Titus Lennon (Lakeland, FL), and Bernardette Miles (Deland, FL). Will’s film song credits include the movies, Clarinet (“Get Up, Get Freaky”); Lucky (“Funk Track Instrumental”); and HBO/TV series, Winning Line (“Get Up, Get Freaky”). His numerous accolades include recipient of “We Care” gold-record plaque for co-producing this song that generated sales over 500,000 units and raised funds for Ethiopian refugees support; City of Orlando Police Citizen Service Award, President Barack Obama Community Service Award, Underground Music Association Worldwide 2020 “Micheal Robinson Leadership Award”, and Orlando Urban Film Festival (2022) Life & Legacy Award. His 43- year marriage to Gwen (Realtor/Gospel Recording Artist/Events Specialist) procreated one son, Omari, (artist/composer/music producer) and three grandchildren.

Screenwriting Lecturer, English Department, University of Central Florida

Jason Gregory is a board member of the Organization of Independent Filmmakers and former President of Orlando Urban Film Festival as well as a current UCF Screenwriting Lecturer.
Jason will moderate the panel and host the audience’s Q&A sessions.

Writer, Director

Chris Ballinger resides in Orlando for the past 25 years. Chris started as an actor but realized he loved being behind the camera; now, he’s an award-winning indie short filmmaker and screenwriter. His award-winning short film Little Z now turned into a series called Saving Little Z. Along with the pilot, he turned the series into a comic book. Chris continues to create plans with an audio drama podcast and two more short films coming out this year. He enjoys getting out, meeting people, and talking about his passion as a creator.

Writer, Director, DAME Media LLC

A Boston native and writer for more than 25 years, has written 8 novels, 6 feature films, over 20 short films, several poetry anthologies and 3 television pilots. Her production company, DAME Media is located in Central Florida. Lagos has a Bachelors of Science in Developmental Psychology from Suffolk University and an Associates in Creative Writing from NYU. She has written and directed for the Theatre for decades, most notably her time at South of Broadway Theatre in Charleston, SC where she was well known for her directorial debut of, “Power Play” which sold out every show.