About OIFF

“I love Ouray and the Ouray International Film Festival so much that the next tattoo I get is going to be the outline of the mountains in their logo.” - Ben Davis, filmmaker

Team

Jake Abell is a co-founder, executive director, and head programmer of OIFF. Abell is also filmmaker and scholar with research interests in film, medieval studies, and philosophy. He received a joint Ph.D. in French Studies and Comparative Media Analysis and Practice in 2021 from Vanderbilt University. He recently completed his first book on economic solidarity in medieval French poetry. Abell graduated from Ouray High School in 2009.

Jared LaCroix is a co-founder, executive director, and head programmer of OIFF. LaCroix is also a filmmaker and creative director. He has directed music videos and fashion editorials for a range of clients including Biyo and Vogue China. His films have been featured at the Nashville Film Festival, the British Film Institute, and Soho House. In 2021, he was a fellow at the Short to Feature Lab in Malibu.

Eva Wister-Zaccari is a project manager and programmer for OIFF. She lives and works in New York City as a video editor, videographer, and set designer. In addition to her more creative roles in the industry, she also enjoys producing television shows such as View & Chew, and health focused documentaries such as the Food Revolution Summit Docuseries and Alzheimer's - The Science of Prevention. Eva graduated from Ouray High School in 2016.

Haneol (John) Lee is a project manager and programmer for OIFF. He is a writer/director based in Nashville currently studying at Vanderbilt University with a concentration in Film and Business. Lee recently wrapped his first short film First Night. He enjoys contemplative cinema with a touch of comedy and his work explores the Asian American diaspora.