2026 Judges
We'd like to give a huge THANK YOU to our 2026 Judges.
Adarye Beville
Jaclyn Tacoronte
Isabella Melendez
Adayre Beville
Adayre Bevill is a rising screenwriter, playwright and multimedia artist born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Cypress, Texas. After graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film, she has received a nomination for best original short film at NYU’s Sight & Sound film competition for her piece “Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road”, as well as numerous writing accolades for her animation scripts and shorts.
As a YouTube content creator, she’s amassed a following of over 20,000 people and continues to explore her artistic expression in the ever-changing digital landscape. A thespian at heart, her love of storytelling has transcended beyond the stage and to the silver screen.
Jacklyn M. Tacoronte
Production, Policy & Press Strategist
Jaclyn M. Tacoronte is an award-winning media executive and policy strategist known for bridging production, public affairs, and press strategy to advance economic development, creative industries, and community engagement. With more than two decades of experience in communications and media production, she has led high-profile campaigns, media initiatives, and policy-focused storytelling efforts across New York and Texas.
A proud graduate of Southwest ISD and University of Texas at San Antonio, Jaclyn’s roots are deeply grounded in Texas. After building a nationally recognized media career in New York City, she often says that Texas is where she was rooted, New York City is where she was watered—and now she has returned home to grow the next chapter.
Jaclyn is the founder of JMT Media and JMT Studios, where she leads production strategy, media campaigns, and press initiatives that elevate community voices and economic opportunity. Her work increasingly focuses on the intersection of film production, workforce development, and state policy, including providing strategic guidance related to Texas film incentive initiatives such as SB22, helping organizations, filmmakers, and institutions better understand how policy can support the growth of the creative economy.
She also serves as a Commissioner with Women in Film & Television Texas, advocating for expanded access, industry equity, and stronger infrastructure for the Texas film and television sector.
A graduate of the Yale Campaign School (Summer 2025), Jaclyn combines production expertise with policy awareness and press strategy, allowing her to guide organizations and campaigns through complex communications landscapes.
Her leadership has been recognized with the New York State Woman of Distinction Award, the U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Champion Award for New York City, and recognition in the City & State Top 100 Most Influential Leaders. She has also received multiple proclamations from New York City her contributions to media, small business advocacy, and community leadership.
Today, based in her hometown San Antonio, Jaclyn continues to connect production, policy, and press to build platforms that expand opportunity and strengthen the future of the Texas creative industry.
Isabella Melendez
Isabella is a filmmaker, writer, and producer currently based in San Antonio, Texas. She spent six years in Southern California, where she studied film at Santa Monica College, earning an Associate of Arts in Film Production before completing her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Chapman University.
Throughout her career, Isabella has collaborated with a range of creative and media organizations, including Disney/Hulu Programming, and Los Angeles, based magazines.
She is the founder of La Maria Productions, a San Antonio-based production company dedicated to building a collaborative community for aspiring filmmakers. Through this initiative, she aims to create a centralized hub for local productions, resources, and creative partnerships. As part of this vision, she is also developing La Maria Studios, an upcoming space designed to support and elevate film and media projects in the region.