Film Jurors

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From a government tax auditor to a bestselling author and Global Peace Ambassador, Satie champions self-love and personal empowerment. She is the founder and Chief Self-Love Officer of SNS - Powered by Love, www.itsallaboutlove.ca a speaker, and leads transformative retreats in Colombia. 

A five-time author - a contributing author to an international bestseller series, and the proud author of her own bestselling book, "The Crooked Path is Perfect: Finding Your Power Within." 

She is a two-time Library of Congress recipient, featured in the Kenyan Times, a UN CSW69 delegate, and a Hall of Famer for Women Leader Hub in 2026. 

Satie also serves as a board director for the Toronto Waterfront Media Group and Vice President of the International Peace Festival/VP Films for Peace. She is the Head Judge for both Films for Peace and BIPOC festivals.  

Sandra Modiste is a Toronto-based writer, director, creative producer, curator and media artist whose work focuses on multicultural storytelling, migration, cultural memory and social history. Previously she worked in feature film, television and commercial production roles including production supervisor, producer, director, distribution executive, and various crew positions. Her practice combines film, archival research, interactive media, virtual production and game-engine technology.  

Jessica Thomas is not only an actor, she is an avid film lover, scholar and writer.  Born and raised in Toronto, Canada with deep Portuguese and Jamaican roots, she has an adoration for the arts and culture that her hometown  incubates. After many years of volunteership with TIFF, we are pleased she makes her judging debut here at BIFF and Films for Peace. She’s appeared on stage and on screen, as well as a segue performing stunts. Having a love affair with film since she was a child, she now works in film and helps build the worlds shared on screen.

  Lucy Drake is a Canadian model, actress, wellness enthusiast, and PFLAG Niagara Ambassador, bringing authenticity, confidence, compassion, and versatility to every project. With a background in frontline social work, Lucy has developed a deep understanding of empathy, resilience, and the importance of supporting others. Passionate about fashion, film, wellness, and storytelling, she uses her platform to uplift and inspire. A lifelong lover of yoga, cycling, and dance, Lucy is guided by kindness and a genuine desire to help others, celebrate individuality, and make a positive difference in the world.  

Grace Kosaka is an investor and CEO of Submicron Research, which focuses on medtech,

nanotechnology, materials science and energy. As an author and producer in theatre &

film, Grace is dedicated to diversity and inclusion in all areas of storytelling and

production. Currently, she is producing the original musical 'The Empire Club’.

Grace co-wrote and was the sole producer for four feature films, all of which have found

international distribution (Equinoxe, Netflix, Sony, Universal, Warner Brothers), with

budgets ranging from $100k (shot in a single day) to $2M.

Kosaka has a degree in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto and has served as a

scientific consultant in pharmaceutical patent litigation.

Grace has run two not-for-profit organizations, Rebelfest International Film Festival and

Convergent Art & Science, both dedicated to increasing equity in the Arts and increasing

understanding of AI-based visual systems.

Zxandria Joseph is a Saint Lucian and French Canadian writer, multidisciplinary scholar, humanitarian and polyglot, bringing more than a decade of international and cross-sector experience to her work. 

Her background spans international studies, linguistics, advocacy, leadership, technology and digital transformation, with experience collaborating with more than 35 national and global organizations.

Her connection to the arts began at a young age as an actress on TFO, a French-language television network, and has since evolved through her work in culture, communication, research and transformative initiatives.

As international film judge, she brings a multilingual and cross-cultural perspective to the evaluation of storytelling, character, social realities and visual arts, recognizing films that foster dialogue and connect audiences across borders. 

 Micaela is a writer working on her Creative Writing Certificate at University of Toronto. She loves telling stories: be it through writing short stories and novels, making music, and drawing. She believes in supporting and encouraging human art and that having a community that is open and supportive is essential to a fulfilling and fruitful creative life. She moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2016, and is currently working on her debut horror novel inspired by Filipino folklore. 

 Dr. Nikki Clarke, FIIM, is an award-winning media personality, entrepreneur, author, educator, speaker, and community leader. She is the founder, producer, and host of The Nikki Clarke Show, a transformational platform celebrating inspiring stories for nearly 18 years. Dr. Clarke also hosts Quinte Vibes Live and serves as a Faith Community Reintegration Program Coordinator, supporting successful community reintegration. A passionate advocate for Black history, entrepreneurship, and empowerment, she is the creator of the Black Canadian History Coloring Book and Color Our History animated series. Through media, education, ministry, and public speaking, Dr. Clarke inspires others to lead with purpose and impact. 

  Frank Caruso was inducted into the North Bay Musicians and Entertainment Hall of Recognition in June, 2017, for his lifelong contribution in music, theatre & film. 

In 1980 Frank pursued commercial theatre and lists 45 plays that he has contributed to as director, producer or actor.

In 1990, Frank transitioned into filmmaking with Caruso Films and went on to act, write, produce and direct feature films, shorts, documentaries, music videos and commercials. He has three movies presently airing on Amazon Prime, USA. Frank has 12 Feature Films to his credit and is currently working on several projects to be produced in the near future.

Angelica (Angela Johnson) is a Pianist, Singer Songwriter, Composer & Producer, with 5 CD’s of original music, available in stores, in the pop and classical music genres. Angelica entertains a wide variety of audiences with a repertoire of over 3500 songs, performing concerts, shows & festivals as a soloist and in bands, including touring on cruise ships as a “Piano Bar Entertainer”, for Disney, Holland America & Carnival Cruise Lines. Angelica is enjoying an ever-increasing profile as one of Canada’s finest performing and recording artists.