Meet the Jury
A distinguished panel of filmmakers, critics, and industry leaders guiding the LightReel Film Festival 2026 selections and honors.
Our Perspective
The LightReel Festival Jury evaluates each film through the lens of storytelling craft, cultural resonance, and artistic vision. Representing a range of disciplines across film and media, our jurors bring a collective perspective rooted in excellence, discovery, and a commitment to elevating voices from across the diaspora.
Jury
Chuck West
Film Producer
President and CEO of OCTET Productions
Bree West
Executive Producer
Showrunner, Award winning writer, and director
Kirk Fraser
Executive Producer of OCTET Productions
President & CEO, May 3rd Films
Nell Minow
Film Critic
Writes as the "Movie Mom" about movies, and television
Jamie Broadnax
Film Critic
CEO of the Black Girl Nerds community
Rob Morgan
Actor & Producer
Known for Mudbound, Don't Look Up, and Bull
Roxana Hadadi
TV Critic
For Vulture/New York Magazine
Cordell Martin
Nominating Chairperson
For the Black Reel Awards also known as “The Bolts”
Shawn Edwards
Film Producer
Producer of CCA’s Celebration of Black Cinema.
Jen Chaney
Film Critic
Digital and print journalist
Lance Kramer
Filmmaker
Co-founder of Meridian Hill Pictures
Fahnia Thomas
Film Critic
Contributor at EURweb.com
The Black Butterfly Award
The Black Butterfly is the official award of the LightReel Film Festival, honoring bold storytelling, artistic excellence, and transformative voices from across the diaspora.
Inspired by evolution, resilience, and beauty, the Black Butterfly represents the power of film to move, challenge, and inspire. Each year, the Festival Jury recognizes outstanding work across narrative, documentary, and short film categories with this distinguished honor.
👉 Presented during the Closing Night celebration.
From Jury to Recognition
The Festival Jury will present awards across narrative, documentary, and short film categories during the Closing Night program, celebrating the most compelling and impactful work of the festival.