The Filmmakers
Patricia Boiko, Producer, Editor, Co-Writer
Patricia is an award winning documentary filmmaker, founding member and past president of the Seattle Documentary Association. She uses her 20 years of documentary filmmaking experience nationally and internationally. Her work is featured in film festivals, TV broadcasts and distributed on Netflix and Amazon Prime. She has received funding from major granting agencies as well as many nonprofit funders. She received producer training in the local PBS sponsored program, New Voices, and is certified in Documentary Film Production by the University of Washington. www.winningpictures.tv
Gilda Sheppard, Director, Executive Producer
Award-winning filmmaker who has screened her documentaries throughout the United States, and internationally in Ghana, West Africa, at the Festival Afrique Cannes Film Festival, and in Germany at the International Black Film Festival in Berlin. Sheppard is a 2017 Hedgebrook Fellow for documentary film and a 2019 recipient of an Artist Trust Fellowship. Her most recent project 'Since I've Been Down' is The film, told by the people who have lived these conditions, unravels intimate stories from interviews brought to life through archival footage, cinema verité discussions, masquerade, and dance , unraveling why children commit violent crime and how these children – now adults – are breaking free from their fate by creating a model of justice that is transforming their lives, our humanity and a quality of life for all our children. https://www.sinceibeendown.com/
Allycea Weil, Co-Writer, Assistant Producer, Assistant Director
As an emerging filmmaker she has produced and directed various narrative short films including award winning short CAGED (2021), which focuses on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and those who are suffering from abusive relationships in silence. Garnering international attention and acclaim. She has been involved with public schools for almost 10 years. Working as an advocate parent within the Seattle Public Schools system. Her focus is for a more inclusive educational experience for all children. Working in positions on various equity boards working with the Seattle Public Schools Superintendent and department heads for lasting policy changes to public school education. show.
Amazing Talent
Audrey Covner, DNP, JD, BSN-RN Executive Producer
Audrey has spent her career combing her education as an attorney, as a registered nurse, and, most recently, as a Doctor of Nursing Practice specializing in Population Health and Systems Leadership to advocate for change. A lifelong community activist, Dr. Covner was engaged in the early days of the AIDS/HIV epidemic response, set up free legal service programs for marginalized communities, and has written and lobbied on behalf of numerous legislative bills addressing issues impacting underrepresented populations. Having served as adjunct faculty teaching legislation in the law schools of Stanford University and the University of Santa Clara, Dr. Covner continues to be engaged in social justice work, legislative advocacy, and criminal justice reform. She currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor in both the Department of Public Health, Health Systems and Public Health and the School of Nursing at the University of Washington. Her passion is to engage young people in community activism helping them to develop their own advocacy trajectories. Participating with the incredible “CriticalWhat” team is an opportunity for Dr. Covner to merge all her exprienes and interests.
Kamyar Mohsenin, Instructor
Kamyar Mohsenin (he/him) is an award winning multimedia artist, filmmaker, and educator based in Seattle, Washington by way of Santa Cruz, California and Pāhoa, Hawaii.
Teaching filmmaking, animation, and illustration, Kamyar designs holistic curriculums and inspires students to explore creative expression and storytelling. He currently works with Coyote Central, Northwest Film Forum, Seattle Girls School, and various K-12 public/private schools in Washington.
Tifa Tomb, Editor
Tifa Tomb’s work as a director for Retch won Best film at the Seattle Black Film Festival (2020), and her short film Creak! (2021) was selected for the Seattle Children’s Film Festival. She works as a Sr. Media Producer of Storytelling at the University of Washington, freelance produces narrative work, and edits feature length and short narrative and non-fiction work.