Slamdance is a community, a year-round experience, and a statement in which everyone is invited to take part. The first Slamdance Film Festival was held in 1995 by a wild bunch of filmmakers who were tired of relying on a large, oblique system to showcase their work. Since then, Slamdance has proven year after year that independent grassroots communities can take risks on bold talent and launch careers that change the industry. Our artist-led community continues to discover and nurture diverse, international creators through various programs throughout the year, focusing on new writers, digital and interactive art, grants and mentorship, DIY film education, film screenings and of course, the Slamdance Film Festival.
HEADQUARTERS
Peter Baxter is a filmmaker and President and co-founder of Slamdance. Baxter has led Slamdance for 25 years as a revolutionary force synonymous with the discovery of emerging talent. Baxter’s work includes directing “Spirit Game” that premiered on Starz and screened at the United Nations and producing “Q: Into The Storm” for HBO and “Day Shift” for Netflix.
Peter Baxter President & Co-Founder
Taylor O. Miller is an award-winning documentarian & published author passionate about storytelling through photography, film, & writing. She received her PhD, ABD, from The European Graduate School in Saas-Fee Switzerland. She travels the world for her work, from the islands of Micronesia to the Silver Bank Whale Sanctuary, from India to Detroit. Most recently she was invited to speak at Google to discuss THIS IS DETROIT, a Docu-Series she has been the Director of Photography on for 2.5 years.
Taylor Miller Festival Director, Co-Founder Slamdance Unstoppable
Screenwriter and former longtime assistant to David O. Russell, Michael Christopher Morin has spent the last 4 years producing the Slamdance Film Festival. In this time he has helped Slamdance establish new programs like Unstoppable, Slamdance Miami & Joshua Tree and the recently launched Slamdance Channel.
Michael Morin Festival Producer
Anna Lee Lawson – Chapman University Film/Screenwriting Graduate. 20+ years in script consultant, content curation and festival programming. Multi-faceted artist (filmmaker, writer, actor, comedian, video artist). Head Mentor with Young Storytellers, helping 5th graders craft screenplays. Anna holds an overall passion for the art of storytelling and empowering voices.
Anna Lee Lawson Film Festival & Screenplay Competition Manager
Cayden is a SLC based filmmaker with a passion for independent storytelling. After interning for Slamdance through the 2023 festival Cayden was thrilled to continue to be able to work with Slamdance through the 2024 festival as Slamdance’s Media Manager. He hopes to continue his work highlighting important stories whether that means organizing them for the festival or producing them outside of it.
Cayden Turnbow Media Manager
Dekker Dreyer is a multidisciplinary creator working in film, immersive digital art, and music. With over twenty years in media he’s launched multiple television and streaming brands. As an arts educator he’s created and taught programs with Columbia College Chicago and University of Maryland. Dekker is a member of the Television Academy.
Dekker Dreyer Marketing Consultant
Gabriel Monroe Eckert is an actor and independent filmmaker based out of SLC, and has an undying passion for the arts and storytelling. Starting as an intern in 2023, Gabriel is now our Social Media, Digital Content Manager, and hopes to continue working on providing the best platform for independent artists at Slamdance. You can catch some of Gabriel’s acting work in films such as: Ari Aster’s Hereditary, Rob Diamond’s Love Everlasting, and Amy Redford’s What Comes Around, and more!
Gabriel Eckert Social Media, Digital Content Manager
