2020 HONOREES & PRESENTERS
Yvette Nicole Brown is an American actress, comedian, writer, and host. Brown starred as Shirley Bennett on the NBC comedy series Community, as Dani in the 2015 version of The Odd Couple on CBS, and as Dina Rose on the ABC sitcom The Mayor. Brown has also had guest roles in television shows such as Drake & Josh, That '70s Show, The Office, Boston Legal, Chuck, The Soul Man, Mom, and Big Shot. In 2021, she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role in A Black Lady Sketch Show. In addition to television, she has had supporting roles in films such as (500) Days of Summer, Tropic Thunder, Repo Men, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, and Avengers: Endgame. She also voiced "Harper" from the video game Minecraft: Story Mode in addition to Cookie on Pound Puppies, Luna on Elena of Avalor and Principal Amanda Waller on DC Super Hero Girls. She has hosted Syfy cosplay series Cosplay Melee and has been a frequent couch guest on Talking Dead. She has also served as a guest co-host on talk shows including The View, The Talk, and The Real. She will be receiving the “Garry Marshall Spirit Award” at the Closing Night Gala & Awards Show at The Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.
YVETTE NICOLE BROWN: HONOREE
Eugene Wesley Roddenberry Sr. was an American television screenwriter, producer, and creator of Star Trek: The Original Series, its sequel spin-off series Star Trek: The Animated Series, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Star Trek premiered in 1966 and ran for three seasons before being canceled. The syndication of Star Trek led to its growing popularity; this, in turn, resulted in the Star Trek feature films, on which Roddenberry continued to produce and consult. In 1987, the sequel series Star Trek: The Next Generation began airing on television in first-run syndication; Roddenberry was heavily involved in the initial development of the series. He continued to consult on the series until his death in 1991. In 1985, he became the first TV writer with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he was later inducted into both the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. Years after his death, Roddenberry was one of the first humans to have their ashes carried into earth orbit.
GENE RODDENBERRY: HONOREE
(POSTHUMOUSLY)
Jeff Rector is an award-winning writer, director, actor and producer. His feature film “Revamped” which he wrote, directed and produced, is currently being distributed worldwide and is a feature length version of his first short film “Fatal Kiss”, which won awards for “Best Screenplay”, “Best Director”, “Best Picture” and was one of the first short films ever acquired by HBO. Jeff has had the pleasure of working with most of the major studios, television and cable networks. Jeff hosted and executive produced SFN: Science Fiction News for PBS, is a voting member of the Television Academy (EMMY Awards), and is the official spokesman for the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films that produce the annual Saturn Awards. Jeff’s many years in the television and motion picture industry has earned him over 100 feature film and television credits on shows including “American Horror Story”, “How I Met Your Mother”, “The Bold & the Beautiful”, “One Life To Live”, “Beverly Hills 90210” and “NYPD Blue” to name a few. Jeff’s community involvement includes serving on The Burbank Cultural Arts Commission for four years and The Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council for five years. He continues to support other non-profits and a variety charitable organizations including The Frontline Foundation that feeds the homeless on Skid Row.
JEFF RECTOR: PRESENTER
Marion Ross is well known as Mrs. Cunningham from Happy Days. She was also in the show Brooklyn Bridge as Sophie Berger, as well as making appearances on The Drew Carey Show and Gilmore Girls and many other TV programs.
MARION ROSS: PRESENTER
Shane Black recently wrote, directed and produced the Marvel blockbuster action film “Iron Man 3” which continues to break box office records worldwide, making it one of Marvels highest grossing films of all-time. For “Iron Man 3”, Black re-teamed with Robert Downey Jr. who starred in his feature film directorial debut, “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”. Black is considered one of the pioneer screenwriters of the action genre, making his mark as a screenwriter with his script for “Lethal Weapon”, effectively creating the buddy cop chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson that would continue for three more “Lethal Weapon” sequels. From there, Black wrote a series of big budget action films including “The Last Boy Scout” with Bruce Willis, “The Long Kiss Goodnight” with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), and a re-write on “Last Action Hero” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. His scripts often combine action, thriller, noir and (black) comedy elements. In addition to his award-winning writing, Black can be seen on the big screen as an actor in such genre films as “Predator”. Currently Shane is busy bringing his childhood hero “Doc Savage”, another iconic comic book character to the big screen for DC Entertainment.
SHANE BLACK: PRESENTER
He has appeared on numerous episodic TV shows such as NCIS Los Angeles and S.W.A.T. Most recently he’s recurred on the new series “Delilah” for the OWN network. Better Call Saul and General Hospital. He can also be seen in an upcoming Netflix series about a serial killer. (Yes, I know this is vague, but I signed an NDA. What do you want from me?) Nigel likes to say, working in this business, is like waiting in line at an amusement park for your favorite ride. The waiting is not so fun, but the rides’ thrill is such you can’t help but get right back in line for another spin. Famous Quote: Everyone Counts Count Everyone
NIGEL GIBBS: PRESENTER
Amy Foell is an educational consultant specializing in workforce readiness. Her clients include Pasadena Unified School District and the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. Amy has been providing the Burbank International Film festival with student interns since 2015. She completed a television writer’s certificate through UCLA Extension and has written for a variety of clients including: Television Du Monde Ltd., Bold TV, Millennium Concepts, Promark Television and more. Amy is a staunch advocate for human rights and the environment. Amy is an active member of Surfrider Foundation.
AMY FOELL: PRESENTER
EMMY Award winning actor-producer David Millbern first emerged as a child actor in such iconic commercials as McDonald’s “Glasses to Go” and was the smile behind their “Sundae Smile” campaign, among many others. By 17, David had already studied and worked with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio in NYC. After graduating from Northwestern University, a contract role on ABC’s General Hospital brought him to L.A. David’s first film was a lead in Roger Corman’s, “The Slumber Party Massacre”, which became a cult favorite. Next was a lead in “Sorceress” also for Corman. More feature films followed including Sir Ian McKellen’s doctor in the Oscar-winning “Gods and Monsters”, Mariel Heming - way’s captor in “In Her Line of Fire”, and Alfred Molina’s match in “Texas Rangers”.
DAVID MILLBERN: PRESENTER
Crystal Allen is a Canadian actress with major roles in television and film. She starred opposite Brandon Routh in “Crooked Arrows” and “Ghost Storm” with Carlos Bernard. She is currently a series regular on the Canadian sitcom Canooks as a series regular and is also known for her portrayal of the Orion Slave Girl D’nesh on the Star Trek series “Enterprise” and as Navigator Yara in the popular independent film, “Of Gods and Men”. Allen’s additional notable performances are on hit TV shows such as “Castle”, “Body of Proof”, “Haven”, “Prison Break”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Boston Legal”, “Navy NCIS”, “Modern Men”, “Sex and the City”, “The Sopranos”, and the feature film “Maid in Manhattan” and the Hallmark movie “Falling in Love with the Girl Next Door”. Allen starred in the latest two sequels to their already hit films Anaconda 3 & 4. Crystal has been a guest to the Monaco TV Festival in past years and in 2013 was a member of the festival jury. We are pleased to once again have Crystal as one of our celebrity presenters this year.
CRYSTAL ALLEN: PRESENTER
Kelly is most known for her role as Kelly in the hit comedy series “Superstore”, “Get Shorty”, “Speechless” and “Two and a Half Men”. She also appeared on “The Bold and The Beautiful”. Recurring television roles include the series, “The Exes”, “No Tomorrow”, “Malibu Dan The Family Man” and “Romantically Challenged”. Kelly’s feature film work includes “Horrible Bosses 2”, “Baby Daddy”, “W.I.T.C.H.”, “Telling Lies”, The Dragon Hunter” and “The Ring 2”. Kelly also does a variety of voice work including “Sophia The First“ for Disney, “Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia and “The Angry Birds Movie 2”.
KELLY STABLES: PRESENTER
Jesse Kove, Born in Los Angeles California into a Film, Television and Theatrical family. Raised on classic films and movie sets around the world. Jesse follows in his father's (Martin Kove) footsteps proudly. When he was only 10 years old Jesse would create movies using his father's video camera, and perform skits for the whole family. The entertainment world has been his passion ever since. Studying in various performing arts and improv classes and working throughout his younger years up into high school Jesse continued to cultivate his craft of Cinema. Even venturing to New York to perform off Broadway, for his enthusiasm for the art of acting never ceases. Jesse recently Co starred alongside Joseph Fiennes in the highly anticipated World War II drama "On Wings of Eagles" (The un-official sequel to "Chariots of Fire" ) starring in the upcoming 2017 thriller "Bring Me a Dream" Jesse also co-produced and co-stared in the acclaimed teen crime drama "As Night Comes". Starred in Alloy Entertainment's episodic show "First Day", and went on to star in the SyFy channels "Axe Giant" also continuing to helm many more films such as "The Shadow", "Show no Mercy", "The Black Hole" and co-starred in the first ever live streamed episodic "Steve The Intern".
JESSE KOVE: PRESENTER
Ken Davitian was born in Los Angeles, to an Armenian-American family in Montebello. Davitian worked in his father’s waste management company until graduating from Whittier College. He is an actor and producer, known for the feature films, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” ,“The Artist” and “Meet the Spartans”. Television credits include a recurring role on “Ray Donovan” and guest-starring roles on “Hawaii: Five-O”, “Two and a Half Men” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” to name a few. Davitian was the Winner of the “Best Villain - Feature” award for “Abstraction” at the Action On Film International Film Festival and says his teenage idol was Burt Reynolds, who greatly influenced his choice of becoming an actor.
KEN DAVITIAN: PRESENTER
Wallace began her career on television appearing in episodes of The Streets of San Francisco, Starsky & Hutch and Police Woman, before appearing in the box-office horror hit film The Hills Have Eyes. In 1981, she played a leading role in the horror film The Howling opposite her husband Christopher Stone. They later starred together in Cujo based on Stephen King's 1981 novel of the same name. In 1982, Wallace went on to star in Steven Spielberg's science fiction film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The film became the highest-grossing film of all time—a record held for eleven years until Jurassic Park, another Spielberg-directed film, surpassed it in 1993. Wallace received a Saturn Award nomination for her performance. Wallace also starred in a number of comedy movies, including 10, Jimmy the Kid and Secret Admirer.
DEE WALLACE STONE: PRESENTER
Isaac C. Singleton Jr. not only makes a living playing big, scary guys, but is also known for his comedic wit. The 6-foot-5 actor can be seen as the menacing Bo’sun in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. For Pirates, he admits his character only had two emotions in the film, angry and annoyed. Other roles include the air marshal in the feature film Anger Management, an evil alien in Galaxy Quest and an ape-soldier in Planet of the Apes. Isaac is extremely well-spoken and articulate and has the kind of resonating bass voice reminiscent of James Earl Jones. Isaac has done voice-over work on over 100 video games including Transformers, Halo 4, Street Fighter 3 & 4 and World of Warcraft. On television, his dramatic credits include The X-Files, Crossing Jordan, Marshall Law and Wanted to name a few. Isaac also showed off his comedic chops on hit comedy shows including The Sarah Silverman Project, Arliss, Sabrina The Teenage Witch and MAD-TV. We are pleased to once again have Isaac as one of our celebrity presenters this year.
ISAAC C. SINGLETON JR.: PRESENTER
Born in Hoboken, New Jersey and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Jennifer Taylor made her film debut in “Wild Things” portraying Matt Dillon’s girlfriend. While living in Miami, she also appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy “The Waterboy.” Since moving to Los Angeles she has guest-starred on numerous series such as “NCIS”, and “Mom”, and recurring roles on “Burn Notice”, “Shameless” and most recently “The Young and the Restless”. She has also starred in several Lifetime movies such as “ Stalked by my Mother”. But she is most well known for her work on the hit sit-com, “Two and A Half Men”. Taylor played Charlie Sheen’s fiancée for nearly 40 episodes before Sheen left the show. Taylor leads a multi-faceted life when she’s not acting. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, enjoys archery, and books. Jennifer is about to launch her Indiegogo campaign to produce and star in the screenplay “Unfaithfully His” which she wrote. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children where she loves to cook from scratch and spend time with her family.
JENNIFER TAYLOR: PRESENTER
