OUR MISSION

To seek out original, unusual, and entertaining short films from around the world and make them available to the general public via the annual Dam Short Film Festival.

FESTIVAL HISTORY

lee and anita

The Dam Short Film Festival, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Lee and Anita Lanier co-founded the festival in 2003 after falling in love with short films on the film festival circuit. As a professional animator, Lee has screened his own animated films at over 200 festivals worldwide and Anita has been instrumental in the programming of the festival. While Lee and Anita both have stepped down from board responsibilities as of 2023, Lee will continue to assist with press and emcee duties.

At the 2023 19th Annual Dam Short Film Festival Lee and Anita were awarded with the ‘Key to the City” of Boulder City, a well deserved honor for both of them and the festival. Congratulations Lee and Anita!

Today, the Dam Short Film Festival has become a traditional Southern Nevada cultural event that attracts thousands of visitors to Boulder City each February. The festival has welcomed scores of filmmakers from all over the world and has screened several thousand unique independent short films during its history.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS and STAFF

Keith Holloman -Board Member / Technical Director

Keith has a B.S. in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production. He founded K.A.H. Production Studio and does film and video work in Southern Nevada. Keith manages film submissions, oversees the festival Film Review Committee, and organizes the DCP exhibition. Keith personally oversees the technical aspects of the theater, and virtual productions and quality control.

Ken Cioe -Board Member / Director of Operations

Ken has been part of the festival since year one. He has a B.S. in Film from Emerson College and an MFA in screenwriting from The Academy of Art University. Ken has worked in the film and multimedia industries for almost 30 years and in 2019 he assumed the role of DIrector of Operations for the festival. This role allows Ken to work with the board on maintaining and growing the festival, while still having the opportunity to work with young local talent such as animators, film students and graphic artists.

Robert EvansBoard Member / Director of Finance

Robert has a degree from The University of Utah in Business Management with an emphasis in Finance. He has worked in Boulder City for the past 9 years and has a strong base in the community. In addition to his love for finance, Robert has an interest in music and the arts.

Hava Brown -Board Member / Dir. of Events & Acvities

Graduated with a B.S. from Texas A&M University, Hava managed data entry, customer service, product management and IT teams. She is a member of the International Association of Women and participates in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas chapters. You may see her going about Boulder City in either her roller skates or her bicycle with her Chihuahua, Bella.

Brian DeCania -Board Member / Art Director

I am a classically trained Artist in Photography and Sculpture, but I also Paint, Write, Teach, Draw, Sew, and Tinker. I find I am that enigmatic, creative soul that regardless of the format I must create, collaborate, or help point the way for another creative soul.. towards that crystal pinnacle of an incandescent light bulb floating above our heads. You may find you don’t care for some of my work.. and that is completely OK with me.

Adam Gradisher -Web Manager

Adam is originally from Milwaukee, WI, but has lived in Las Vegas for nearly 2 decades. He has over 15 years of IT experience and is honored to be one of the newest members of the team. Outside of the Festival, Adam serves as a Systems Administrator for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. He is also passionate about photography, woodworking, filmmaking, and history. When he is not busy working, he is enjoying his time with his wife, 2 children, and 4 rescue dogs.

Andrew Iannaccone -Grants Administrator

Andrew is new to Las Vegas but lived most of his life in Portland, OR. Passion for Math and Science led to a career teaching Middle and High School. Using project based learning in the math class, he found video production was a great way to engage learners. This led to writing grants in order to buy more computers. Over the years Andrew developed his grant writing skills and helped lead a high school as their grant coordinator and data analyst.

Anne Camille -Graphic Designer

Anne Camille moved from Manila to Las Vegas in 2015 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Media at UNLV in 2020. Anne has a special interest in illustration and design and would like to be more involved with Nevada communities, especially when it comes to culture and the arts. When she’s not at work, she loves to go thrifting and hang out with her dog.

Amy Vandermark -Social Media Coordinator

Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Amy Vandermark has also spent over half her life as a Boulder City resident. Amy is avidly involved in the community and owns a Social Media Management company, Amy Vandermarketing. Her marketing background encompasses Media Relations, Community Engagement, Digital Presence, Promotions, and Advertising. It is with immense gratitude and humility that she will be joining this organization starting in 2023, and she is enthusiastic for the relationships that will be forged and the work that will be done in the coming years.

Calvin Crawford -Filmmaker Concierge

Calvin Crawford is a passionate storyteller, film lover, and writer. He loves musicals, puppets, and elaborate costumes, and hopes to one day produce a film encompassing all of the above. He resides in Las Vegas with his Chow-Husky mix named after his favorite Mogwai: Gizmo. This will be his very first Dam Short Film Festival.

Hope Blatchford - Associate Sponsorship Manager

Hope was born and raised in Boulder City, NV up until 2020 where she graduated from
Boulder City High School and attended University of Nevada, Reno obtaining her
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing with honors distinction in
May 2024. During her time at UNR, she held several leadership positions which have
led her to beginning her marketing career in Las Vegas. Hope grew up intrigued with art
and has started her own creative brand called Silver State Studio. Since graduating
college, Hope has been pursuing some graphic design at UNLV, growing her art brand,
and soul searching for future wants and needs. In her spare time, Hope enjoys crafts,
coffee, and playing with her four cats.

Leanne KellerOffice Manager

Leanne has Dual B.A. in Business Administration, concentrating in Finance and Entrepreneurship from California State University, San Bernardino, and has studied Nutrition Sciences at UNLV. As a resident to Boulder City for over 15 years while raising her children, Leanne has worked remote administrative positions and is the Office Coordinator for The Village at Nevada State University. She is an avid volunteer supporting local youth and professional organizations, including serving on the Board for the Boulder City Friends of the Library. She and her kiddos enjoy watching nature documentaries, stop motion animation films, and have a rule to read the book first before seeing the movie!

Julian Paez CruzIntern

My name is Julian Paez Cruz, I’m a Visual Media – Digital Cinema major at Nevada State University (NSU) and set to graduate with the class of ’25. I am a huge fan of the thriller genre. As a cinema lover, I try my best to dedicate as much time into watching films of all types no matter the genre or origin. And as an aspiring filmmaker, I hope to contribute to the world of cinema.

WE WISH TO THANK FORMER BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE

Lee Lanier (Co-Founder)
Anita Lanier (Co-Founder)
John LaBonney
Kirk Buckendorf
Francisco “Paco” Virella

Jeneiene Schaffer
Kae Pohe
Leslie Paige
Carol Jefferies
Dave Grimes

Nicky Collins
Michelle LaBonney
Charlene Brewer
Milan Petrovich
Heather Abel

Ihla Crowley
Art Lynch
Aubrey Oiler
Tsvetelina Stefanova

WE ALSO WISH TO THANK FORMER STAFF MEMBERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK

Holly Lay – Tsvetelina Stefanova – Allison Potter – Kathy Pontius – Jen Griffith – Gilda Graham – Shaun Rylee
Dominique Spitzers – Johanna Wingert – Chuck Cruser – Estefania Rodriguez – Stephanie Peck
Keeley Harkins – Li Schieff – Dionne Mitchell

About

OUR MISSION

FESTIVAL HISTORY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS and STAFF