Our 2023 Film Selection Committee

The Gateway International Film Festival would not be as cool as we are without the insight from our amazing selection committee. Collectively, the team watched 91 film submissions which rang in at just under 50 hours of viewing time. All to bring you the best independent film available today. 

Scroll below to meet the ultimate film programmers!

Interested in volunteering on the selection committee next year? Feel free to reach out.

David Briggs ~ lead programmer

David Briggs founded the Gateway International Film Festival and always has room for one more camera.
"For those about to film, we salute you."

Tiffany Blom ~ lead programmer

​Tiffany Blom is an actress and composer from Toronto.

Lea Griffin ~ film programmer

​Lea Griffin is an 18-year-old aspiring actress with a love for all things film. She’s re locating to Toronto later this year to pursue her acting goals. "Being part of this committee has been a wonderful opportunity to see more of how beautiful the craft can be”. 

Elyssa Erhardt ~ film programmer

​Elyssa Erhardt is an actor, film producer and photographer currently based in Kitchener, Ontario. Her acting career started in India where she landed 2 supporting roles and a lead role. You can check out her films Sarkar, Manmadhudu 2 and Gurkha. She's looking forward to the release of her film called The Devils Void, which she acted and co-produced last year.

Dylan Mask ~ film programmer

Dylan Mask was born in Welland, ON but also spent time growing up in southern Texas and Belize. He spent his teen and most of his adult life boxing and competing in various competitive sports. Moving to Toronto in 2014 to fully pursue a career in acting. Having worked on many great projects he decided to create his own work. Currently he has two internationally award winning projects under his production company 'behindDAmask'. Dylan still auditions and works as an actor but is also working on  projects to be released under his production company.

Tamara Cook ~ film programmer

​​Tamara has a strong theatre background and has acted, directed and taught across Australia and overseas. She has taught at Australia’s best drama schools and directed at the major theatre companies. In 2021 she made her first short film in 20 years MAENAD FEVER which has been extremely successful on the festival circuit. She is currently in pre-production for her next film Y. Tamara was delighted to be asked to be a judge for the inaugural Gateway Film Festival.