Meet the Judges

Four perspectives. One shared love of film.

Meet the panel joining our Season 3 screenings and filmmaker conversations.

Salvatore Zeppi

Festival Director & Judge

New Jersey-based filmmaker, writer, director, and producer with over eight years of independent filmmaking experience. Through his production company, Zeppi Productions, he has produced more than a dozen short films, earning recognition across numerous film festivals. As the founder of the Short Cuts Indie Film Festival, he’s dedicated to creating a platform where emerging filmmakers can showcase their work, exchange ideas, receive constructive feedback, and connect with a community that shares their passion for the craft. To him, filmmaking has always been about the people behind the picture, the risks taken along the way, and the little details that bring the bigger picture to life.

Michael Schoenberg

Co-Director & Judge

New Jersey-based filmmaker, director of photography, and founder of CFW Productions. With a background in video production and cinematography, Mike works across commercial, narrative, music video, and independent film projects, bringing a strong emphasis on visual storytelling, lighting, composition, and camera movement. Collaborating with filmmakers, businesses, artists, and creative teams to bring projects from concept to completion. His work spans everything from full-scale video productions to freelance cinematography and camera operation, giving him a hands-on understanding of the creative and technical demands of a production.

Scott Barbella-

Landy

Associate Director & Judge

North Jersey native and writer/director who studied screenwriting and directing at the School of Visual Arts. During eight years as co-owner/operator of Trifecta Cinema, he led creative teams on more than 150 productions spanning features, music videos, commercials, and corporate projects. He is drawn to stories that explore how life should or shouldn’t be lived, with an emphasis on visual storytelling that keeps an audience watching even with the sound off, and also serves as Chief Administrator of the Sparta Film Commission

AND OUR HOST…

New Jersey-based actor and performer from Central Jersey with a passion for storytelling and bringing characters to life. A third-degree black belt in Taekwondo, Anner brings discipline, versatility, and a strong sense of physical expression to his work both on and off screen. Having studied at Syndicate Acting School, he has developed a deep appreciation for the craft of performance and the creative process behind independent filmmaking. His interest in exploring different characters and perspectives reflects his enthusiasm for storytelling in all its forms.

As the host of the Short Cuts Indie Film Festival, Anner brings his performance background and love for the creative arts to the stage, helping connect filmmakers and audiences while celebrating the talent, imagination, and hard work behind every film.