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 enjoyed a long history with the festival, having served as lead projectionist and board member for many years. Ken is currently overseeing the production of festival swag and the coordination of camera crews used for livestreaming. Ken has also continued his long tradition of producing each year’s festival trailer using local talent for either animation or video production.

Heather Abel-Board Member / Director of Outreach

Heather graduated from the University of Las Vegas Nevada, and has a background in project management and strategic planning in the areas of human resources, business development, hospitality, and non-profit work. She is currently the Division Manager of Rail Explorers in Boulder City) and is deeply involved in the local culture in Las Vegas.

David Grimes -Board Member / Director of Finances / Treasurer

David moved to Las Vegas in 2006 to be CFO of a gaming supply company. He has spent most of his career in finance and does financial consulting. In addition to serving as our Treasurer, he is one of our film programmers. Dave is originally from Illinois and studied accounting at the University of Illinois. He then served in the Army, afterward attending Harvard.

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 Los 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 3 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.

Dionne Bennett -Volunteer Coordinator

Dionne has a love for the performing arts to include movies, theater, dance, painting, crafting, and music. With a career of over 20 years in Law Enforcement and her youngest child in high school, she has taken this opportunity to spend more time deciding what she wants to be when she “grows up”. As the Volunteer Coordinator she looks forward to meeting many new people, and seeing all the amazing films these artists create.

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.

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

Nicky Collins
Michelle LaBonney
Charlene Brewer
Milan Petrovich

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

About

OUR MISSION

FESTIVAL HISTORY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS and STAFF

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