LAGFF and LMU build a close collaboration, where everyone wins!
We are happy to be collaborating with the LMU student-interns as part of our decade-long LMU-LAGFF community partnership with Prof. Katerina Zacharia’s course on Representations of Greece: Ancient and Modern.
Philippe Alexandrov is a junior (’26) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University, majoring in entrepreneurship. Both of his parents are from Russia, but he was born and raised in New York City. In addition to his studies, he enjoys doing business and loves playing basketball.
Sadie Balling is a junior (’26) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University, majoring in Animation, with minors in Computer Science and Game Design. They have a passion for filmmaking and storytelling and have worked on numerous animated short films at their time at LMU. When not animating, they enjoy singing with the Consort Singers choir, performing with The Laughing Stock Improv Troupe and practicing aerial arts with the Aerial Fitness Club.
Antonella Borjas is a transfer sophomore (’27) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University majoring in international relations with focus on human rights and economic development. Drawing from her past experience with a photography and videography class in Paros, Greece, Antonella hopes to find the intersection between art and activism. Antonella currently runs a book club, for which she does the graphic design for and is collaborating in the animation of a grad student-led film.
Cole Chisholm is a graduating senior (’25) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University majoring in political science, with a minor in Classics & Archaeology. He grew up acting and has a developed a profound appreciation and love for all aspects of the film industry. He hopes to continue working alongside those in the film industry through his career in law.
Mariana Gómez is a junior (’26) undergraduate student majoring in Finance at Loyola Marymount University, originally from Medellín, Colombia. With a strong passion for building community and connecting with people from other cultures, she aspires to make a difference by uniting people through art. She aims to shape a career focused on creating and supporting businesses that bring people together and make a better world.
Gilberto Perez is a junior (’26) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University majoring in Business Administration, originally from Mexico City. In addition to school, he works as a day-trader, and operates JMAC, a fuel wholesale company in El Paso Texas for imports into Mexico. I enjoy listening to electronic music and has a deep interest in art especially Jackson Pollock and Basquiat.
Karis Song is a graduating senior (’25) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University majoring in Film, Television, and Media Studies. Always drawn towards the film industry, she hopes to be a director. Karis is always interested in learning and further expanding her knowledge in all aspects.
Landen Strazdas is a sophomore (’27) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in English. He hopes to become a child therapist in the distant future for kids back home in Massachusetts. With skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork, he hopes to contribute and learn much from the LAGFF experience.
Angelos Vamvakas is a junior (’25) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University majoring in Economics, originally from Athens, Greece. He is passionate about global markets and has a growing interest in day trading. In the future, Angelos hopes to work in his family’s shipping company, where he plans to bring fresh business strategies and expand their international reach.
Damian Waller is a Junior (’26) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University, majoring in Psychology with aspirations of becoming a Pediatric Clinical Psychiatrist. His passion for uncovering hidden meanings in films has fueled his interest in the art of storytelling through cinema. Known for his dependability and leadership skills, Damian thrives in individual and collaborative projects and enjoys writing about film interpretations. Eager to learn and expand his skill set with LAGFF, he is dedicated to bringing creative visions to life.
Matthew Wong is an undergraduate sophomore (’27) at Loyola Marymount University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Health and Human Science. Understanding the human mind and how it interacts with the human body has been his passion. This has led him to be in many on campus organizations such as the Psychology club and the men’s club volleyball team. He aims to better his understanding of the human mind through film and how filmmakers see in between the lines of life.
Naré Tendjoukian is a Junior (’26) undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University majoring in English with minors in Chinese and Classics & Archaeology. She enjoys writing short works of fiction (specifically fantasy and horror) as well as poetry for her creative writing courses and during her free time. Outside of class, she also has experience working as a student assistant at the William H. Hannon Library at LMU and as a creative writing camp counselor for middle schoolers.
Katerina Zacharia is a Professor of Classics and Director of the Learning Community series for the department of Classics & Archaeology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Her research explores classical antiquity in visual and performance culture, in Greek ethnic identity formation, and cultural politics. Prof. Zacharia is an award-winning educator with expertise in inclusive pedagogy, and cross-cultural exchange in local and global partnerships. She produced theatrical performances and workshops for the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens (2006-present), and the Stanford Repertory Theatre (2012-18). As Director of Education for the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, she has created a vibrant student internship program (2014-present), and recently launched the LMU Greek Cinema week with an Homage to Dionysus in March 2024, and an Homage to Xenios Zeus in March 2025. She wrote, directed and produced the short documentary Blessings and Vows (2018). She co-created Enthralled, a new conversation game for higher education (2022). Prof. Zacharia is the recipient of the 2018 LMU President’s Fritz B. Burns Distinguished Teaching Award, the 2019 LAX Chamber of Commerce Eddy Award, the 2023 Society of Classical Studies for Excellence in Teaching Classics at the University level, and the LMU inaugural 2024 Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Teaching award.