About OIFF
We are building a global community that inspires us to think deeply, act justly, offer compassion, and laugh.
“Ouray fosters an incredible community nestled in the most majestic scenery America has to offer.”
- Tony Oswald and Pisie Hochheim, filmmakers
Team
Jake Abell is a co-founder 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.
Eva Wister-Zaccari is a projectionist and programmer for OIFF. A Brooklyn-based video editor and set designer, she recently premiered her first short film, The Weekend Road. Eva graduated from Ouray High School in 2016.
Haneol Lee or 이한얼 (b.2002, South Korea) is a project manager and programmer for OIFF. He is a award winning filmmaker who is an immigrant from South Korea. Lee’s work dives deep into the Korean-American identity and explores themes of the Asian-American diaspora such as generational trauma, language, and cultural duality through a provocative yet contemplative lens. Lee's work has screened at places such as the British Film Institute, Palm Springs International Shortfest, and True/False Film Festival. He is a Short to Feature Lab alumni.
Jared LaCroix is a co-founder 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, Palm Springs Shortfest, the British Film Institute, and Soho House. He was a fellow at the Short to Feature Lab in Malibu in 2021, and has recently completed a feature documentary on tea master Yoshitsugu Nagano.
Jackie! Zhou is a guest programmer for OIFF 2027. Zhou is non-binary and ageless. They are a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, director, and sound designer who is keen on blurring the lines between formats and disciplines. They love to celebrate and examine the absurdity of the human experience and the surprising specific details that can connect us. Their recent work includes the narrative short "Order for Pickup," the music video for Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO!", and developing their feature, "Rumspringa" as a 2024 TAAF | Sundance Collab scholar. Their short “Good Boy Banjo” received the 2025 Teen Jury Award at the Ouray Film Festival - an honor they cherish! They dream of being able to make 50 projects in 50 states (yes they are a Sufjan Stevens fan). They identify as a maximalist and their work is playful and tender. Finally, they originated the role of Jimmy Chin in Free Solo: The Musical. Regardless of format, they strive to champion humans both on and off camera - the making of art is always sweeter shared. Above all, they believe good listeners make great storytellers.
Jack Dorfman is a guest programmer for OIFF 2027. Dorfman is a writer, director, editor, and producer based out of Brooklyn, NY. He was born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. He co-founded Shift23 Media, a platform dedicated to making and celebrating independent films with a following of over 70k people. He is the winner of the 2025 Vanishing Angle Post Grant, and has directed or edited films that have played at Chattanooga Film Fest, Denver Film Festival, Filmfort, El Paso Film Festival, Crested Butte Film Festival, and more. In summer 2026, he wrapped his debut feature film, Divine Timing, which is now in post-production. He also wrote this bio.