Meet our

Speakers

JoAnn Hess

Screenwriter | Producer | Creative Executive

Keith Collins II

Fight Choreographer / Distributor

Ray Szuch

Producer / Super Host

Ron George

VFX / Makeup

Ron George. Visual Effects / Make Up

Ron George is an independent special effects Makeup artist that caters towards professional work for the entertainment industry. Creating iconic looks for film, television, theater, museums, performance art, Music Videos and everything in between. I specialize in the darker side like Zombies, Gore, cuts, & bruises as well as Sci-Fi and cosplay using mainly practical FX.

I’m a huge part of the Zombie Walks in the Greater Cleveland Area each year. They are mainly charity events for the Food shelters in north eastern Ohio. it’s a fun way to give back and help out the community. I am also the makeup artist each year for the Zombie Claus another charity event to gather toys at Christmas time for Toys for Tots. I have also done makeup for the Zombie runs raising money for breast cancer and lung cancer awareness.

In 2013 I competed at Horror Hotel and placed 1st in horror, and 2nd in Sci-Fi. I also competed at the Indie Film Gathering, and placed 1st in Sci-Fi and 2nd in Horror. In 2014 I placed 1st in both Sci-fi and Horror at the Indie gathering.

In 2015 Progressive insurance hired me to turn their marketing staff into Zombies for a Halloween contest within the company

In 2017 I joined the production team for Horror Hotel TV show as the Assistant Director

2017 – 2019 I was a judge for the Final round of the Monster Make-Off Makeup competition

In 2018 my team won 9 awards at the 48 horror film competition including best film

Between 2018 & 2023 I gave several makeup lectures including Wizard World Comic Con, Neo Comic Con, Horror Hotel Film Festival, and The Indie Gathering Film Festival

In 2019 my team won 8 awards at the 48 summer film competition including best film

In 2020 I became the producer for the Cleveland 48 Hour Film festival
– I won best Special FX for the Funmill film competition

– I became the host of the YouTube show “Inside the 48”

– I won a Telly award for the TV show Horror Hotel

In 2021 Win 3rd place in the funmil film competition for a film I Wrote and Directed

In 2022 & 2023 I was a judge for the Short Sweet Film Festival

– Was interviewed by channel 5 news about my love for Zombies

Ray Szuch. Producer / Super Host

Ray Szuch is a 4-time Emmy-nominated, 3-time Emmy-winning producer and stunt coordinator. He is also a 4-time Telly-winning executive producer. Ray began working in the film industry in the 1960s and has since worked on hundreds of projects in many different roles, primarily focusing on producing and stunts. He is the founder of World Entertainment Online and The Indie Gathering International Film Festival, co-founder of The International Horror Hotel Film Festival, and creator of the television show Horror Hotel.

Ray is a great producer and super -host, he is always networking and connecting people together. We are happy that we are continuing his festival and will do him proud.

Keith Collins II. Fight Choreographer / Distributor

Keith Collins II, born on June 1, 1981, in Chester, PA, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, has dedicated his life to the martial arts world. Trained from the age of 3 by his Sensei and Father, Keith Collins I, in the art of Kenpo, he expanded his expertise by studying various styles, from Krav Maga to Silat, recognizing the unique value each brings. Beyond martial arts, Keith is a prolific filmmaker, producer, stunt coordinator, and fight choreographer. His accolades include Best Micro Action Film at The Indie Gathering International Film Festival in 2012, 2013, and 2015, as well as Best Action Short at Urban Action Showcase 2015. His award-winning film, “Lions & Wolves,” premiered on the national channel El Rey Network. In 2022, “Rumble TV” and “Fall Hard,” his latest feature and short films, respectively, earned him Best Action Comedy and Best Urban Action Short at the Urban Action Showcase in NYC. Keith’s impressive fight choreography is showcased in various films, including “Contracts: Redemption,” “Wu Xia: A Martial Arts Tango,” and “Maximillian” (Assassin’s Game), his first globally distributed feature. You can catch his latest Action/Comedy feature, “Rumble TV,” on his streaming platform, 3 Digital Rock Theatre (www.3digitalrocktheatre.tv).

Joan Hess. Screenwriter / Producer / Creative Executive

JoAnn is a multi-award-winning screenwriter for film and television, with a track record of success across the US, UK, and Australia. With numerous projects in various stages of development, her work has been optioned and contracted for hire, garnering interest from major production companies such as Netflix, Muse Entertainment, Estuary Films, and Tubi TV. Currently, she has several projects in development through MARVISTA Entertainment and Worldwide Entertainment & Media.

As the Creative Executive for London Angel Films (UK), Jo Ann plays a key role in shaping the company’s slate of films. She works closely with the CEO and production team, providing script notes, coverage, and rewrites to prepare projects for production.

JoAnn’s portfolio includes over 20 credited feature and TV scripts. Her recent feature film, COOKSTER: The Darkest Days, was released in April 2024, and its sequel, COOKSTER: No Way Out, will be directed by Peter Field (Edge of Tomorrow, Skyfall). Another upcoming feature, RISE OF HEROES: The Legend of the Guardian, has secured financing with production slated for summer 2025, and Richard Norton (Mad Max) attached.

With over 60 international screenwriting awards, JoAnn’s work has been recognized by prestigious competitions such as the PAGE Awards, Austin Film Festival, Final Draft’s BIG BREAK, London Film Awards, and New Hope Film Festival. She was also selected as one of only eight projects in the Torino ScriptLab. In 2019, she was inducted into The International Indie Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

As an Army brat and Navy wife, JoAnn has lived and traveled all over the world, bringing a unique global perspective to her storytelling; infusing her work with a sense of adventure and an understanding of the human connections that transcend cultures.