Film Festival 2022

Jessica “Jeddy” Johnson '15  is a television journalist who graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in May of 2019. She kickstarted her journalism career in Buffalo, N.Y. where she worked as a multimedia journalist. She now works in Detroit, Michigan as a digital reporter and content producer for WXYZ-TV. Her career in journalism has allowed her to meet different people from across the country and share stories that inspire, uplift, and impact her local communities. 

Andrea Canning is a National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and Dateline correspondent, as well as a movie screenwriter for Hallmark and Lifetime. Ms. Canning grew up in Ontario, Canada, and is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario. She went on to study radio and television arts at Ryerson Polytechnic University. She began her career working in places like Greenville, Mississippi and Cincinnati, Ohio, as an anchor/reporter. Ms. Canning then began work on the television program EXTRA TV, and was also an intern for the television show BAYWATCH. She became a correspondent for American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in 2004, and then started at DATELINE in 2012, where she works today.

Mike Doyle is an experienced actor and director known for his feature film ALMOST LOVE, starring Kate Walsh and Scott Evans, which garnered awards including best feature, best screenplay, and best director at various festivals. Mr. Doyle holds a BS in economics from Georgetown University and trained as an actor at the Juilliard School. His first film, SHINER, a short starring Amy Ryan, premiered at Tribeca and launched his directing career. His professional writing break came when he was hired by Judd Apatow and Universal to write a comedy. He has shadowed countless TV directors on shows such as LAW & ORDER SVU and SMASH, and has also worked with industry greats such as Clint Eastwood, Karyn Kusama, and Martin Campbell. He can currently be seen on NBC’s NEW AMSTERDAM and Showtime’s CITY ON A HILL, and is also working with CBS/Viacom on a series called TODO POR AMOR.

Amy Redford has an esteemed career in the creative arts that spans over three decades as a Director, Producer, and Actor in film, television, and theatre. She made her directorial debut with THE GUITAR. Ms. Redford produced the documentary series THE LINCOLN PROJECT, sold to Showtime. In addition to her work behind the scenes, she has acted in multiple film and television projects including LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, THE SOPRANOS, and WONDERLAND. She has acted and directed in Off-Broadway and regional theaters across the country and abroad to critical acclaim. Ms. Redford is a social and environmental activist, serving on the Board of Directors for several creative arts and community organizations, including Sundance Institute.