OWNERS
Marshall & Michelle Moore
Festival Owners/Co-Directors
Marshall and Michelle Moore have over 45 years of combined film industry experience and are extremely passionate about helping connect filmmakers, friends and audiences alike. With their background in marketing, public relations, film production and business operations it was a beautiful marriage of skill sets when they became the new owners and co-directors of Zions Indie Film Fest in 2021.
Marshall has an impressive filmography that started in Los Angeles and ultimately brought him to Utah working on the TV mini-series, The Stand in 1994. He worked full-time as a location manager for 20 years before joining the staff of The Utah Film Commission and was subsequently named Director by Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. in 2007 where he stayed until 2014. Marshall is currently the VP of Operations and Marketing at Utah Film Studios in Park City, Utah which was home to the Paramount Network television series Yellowstone for 3 seasons.
Michelle is a tenacious and experienced film publicist and brand specialist. Her creative PR thinking and strong relationships with the media has made her a valuable asset to many theatrical release campaigns. In the last decade Michelle has worked closely with filmmakers and actors from around the world. She is the owner of Moore PR Group and the Director of Content at Living Scriptures Streaming.
Filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences will be delighted with the programming and focus the Moore's have as they work hard to become one of the top-tier festivals over the next few years.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Vice President, Global Head of Theatrical Distribution
Brandon Purdie
Brandon Purdie, with a lifelong career in film and cinema since the age of 14, is now a distinguished leader with a 24-year tenure in the theatrical film distribution industry. He founded Purdie Distribution in 2008, overseeing the successful release of nearly 100 indie films. Following the triumphant sale of Purdie Distribution in February 2023, Angel Studios appointed him as the trailblazing EVP of Global Theatrical Distribution. In this paramount role, Purdie orchestrates the worldwide theatrical release of Angel’s powerful films, a repertoire that includes cinematic gems like "Sound of Freedom" and "Cabrini," alongside Angel’s dynamic future slate of films—Sight, Possum Trot, Homestead, Bonhoeffer, and the animated musical epic, David. His disruptive and visionary approach aligns seamlessly with a grassroots-driven ethos, unequivocally demonstrated by the industry-transforming success of titles like "Sound of Freedom." As an esteemed thought leader, Purdie consistently lends his insights to prestigious industry panels, enlightening podcasts, high-profile national media interviews, and respected trade publications, fortifying his enduring impact on the cinematic landscape. His pivotal role extends beyond distribution, contributing significantly to Angel’s enduring commitment to weaving narratives that amplify light and resonate with audiences on a global scale, solidifying his status as a preeminent leader in the global theatrical film and cinema industry.
Rebecca Cressman
Radio Personality
Rebecca Cressman hosts FM100.3’s Middays radio show broadcasting every workday from 10am-3pm. A San Diego native, Rebecca has lived across the country and a few international borders, but she and her husband, Dale, adopted Utah as their beloved family's home years ago. Rebecca is an Emmy nominated former TV Host and Producer. She continues to guest-host on local television, anchors and produces FM100.3’s weekly community affairs program, Utah Weekly Forum, and is honored to be the PA Announcer for the University of Utah Gymnastics team. Rebecca graduated in Communications from Brigham Young University, studied towards a Master Degree in Education, is fluent in Spanish, and supports educational and humanitarian projects in South America as a board member of Eagle Condor Humanitarian. A breast cancer survivor, Rebecca also serves as a Patient Research Advocate at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Gary Crandall
Owner - Utah Film Studios
Gary Crandall is the owner of Crandall Capital a family-owned real estate development firm with over 40 years of expertise. Headquartered in Park City, Utah our firm focuses on mixed-use, condominium, commercial, and out-of-the-box investments. Crandall Capital targets assets located in the Mountain West and West Coast regions.
As a boutique firm, Crandall Capital is more agile than larger developers, allowing our firm to make decisions, close, and finance properties rapidly. Additionally, Crandall Capital specializes in creative financing and other innovative problem-solving techniques.
Gary is also the owner of Utah Film Studios located in Park City, Utah
Producer/Director
Chantelle Squires
Chantelle Squires is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker. She directed and produced Jane and Emma a historical drama released in theaters in 2018. She also directed and produced Reserved To Fight, a feature-length documentary that received finishing funds from ITVS and aired nationally on PBS. She produced the third season of The Generations Project for BYUtv, which was awarded an Emmy for the episode Natalie. She was the founder and owner of the production company MirrorLake Films, where for 10 years she developed, directed, and produced documentaries and non-scripted television content. She is a member of Film Fatales, and is the VP of Utah Women in Film and Television.
Actor/Director
Danor Gerald
Veteran actor, Danor Gerald has over 50 credits listed on IMDb.com. He has a degree in Digital Cinema and owns a creative production company. He directed his first feature film “Grandpa’s Crazy?” in 2020. Gerald began his career in Dallas Texas, acting in both film/tv and legit theater during the 1990’s. Gerald is also a producer and co-host of the PBS television series “Roots, Race, and Culture” premiering in May 2022. He is a screenwriter, director, actor, singer, speaker and community advocate. Danor gave a TED talk at TEDx 2020 in Salt Lake City, explaining the economic impact of diversity and inclusion to the community.
Mr. Gerald lives with his wife and 3 of their 4 children in Saratoga Springs. He speaks regularly on "The Come Follow Me App” a faith-based digital platform that provides resources and inspiring messages. Mr. Gerald’s experience in marketing, business, creative production, and communications have been leveraged by ESPN, Disney, and Facebook.
Garrett Batty
Writer/Director
Garrett Batty is an independent film producer, director, and writer. In 2013 Batty wrote, produced, directed, and edited THE SARATOV APPROACH, about two American missionaries kidnapped in Russia. The award-winning thriller grossed 2.1 million theatrically and made Batty an indie director to watch. In 2015 Batty wrote, produced, directed, and edited FREETOWN, filmed entirely in Africa. The film received domestic and international theatrical releases and was nominated for 11 Ghana Film awards - Ghana's equivalent to the Academy Awards. Batty has since produced and directed pilot episodes for SEE THE GOOD (BYUtv), LET'S GET EPIC (VidAngel), and directed the feature-length Vietnam doc THE JOURNEY HOME, starring Jon Voight. He has produced and directed several successful commercial campaigns including Stories of Change for Mitsubishi Electric, and Meet the Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2019 Batty wrote, directed, and edited the period western, OUT OF LIBERTY, distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Batty has worked in over 30 countries creating award-worthy content to entertain and inspire audiences. When he's not on set, he lives in Lehi, UT with his wife and their four wonderful children
Shelley Bingham-Husk
Writer/Producer
Shelley Bingham Husk was born and raised in Southern California, where her love for words began at the age of four. Her poetry and libretti have been commissioned by the California State PTA; composer Brent Pierce; artist Alan McMurtrey and novelist Michael Jensen.
Shelley has made a career of writing and producing movies that empower families. Notable films include The Last Straw starring Corbin Bernsen, Midway to Heaven, Friends for Life and Thorns, all of which have earned five doves from the Dove Foundation. She received the Filmed in Utah Award for her screenplay "The Last Straw". Shelley’s films have appeared on Netflix; Hallmark; UPtv; The Dove Channel; Amazon Prime; and Red Box.
Shelley resides in Utah with her husband Dale, where she continues to write and produce films; and is working on book three of her American Apparitions Trilogy.