The Christmas Tree Doc

Anjanette Levert is a documentary filmmaker, producer, curator, and coach.  She recently produced “The Only Doctor” by Matthew Hashiguchi and was associate producer for “Black Voters Matter” by Daresha Kyi and Model U.N by Andrea Weiss. She is an alumnus of the Southern Producers Lab (New Orleans Film Society), Arts Emerging Leaders Program (New York Foundation for the Arts) and a participant in the Sundance Producers Intensive. She is also an award-winning short film director/producer, "Shake It Up, Shake It Down" and "The Marriage Proposal." 

Tom Hansell’s documentary work has screened at the Museum of Modern Art and has been included in the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.  After Coal (2016) screened on regional public television stations and at film festivals in seven counties. Hansell’s experimental films have been included in the Ann Arbor Film Festival’s touring program.  The Trash Trout Motion Picture Show (2022) was featured at the Big Ears Festival. He is the recipient of grants and fellowships from South Arts, NC Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Hansell started his career at the Appalshop Media Arts Center in Whitesburg, Kentucky and currently teaches at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. 

Yolanda Adams, originally from Bogotá, Colombia, has proudly called Boone, North Carolina, home for over two decades. A passionate advocate for the Latino(a/e/x)/Hispanic community, Yolanda dedicated the past 10 years to serving Watauga County Schools. In December 2023, she began her new role as Assistant Director for Student Leadership and Family Outreach with GEAR UP at Appalachian State University. She currently serves on the boards of several organizations, including LatinxEd, Mountain BizWorks, and Immigrant Connection of the High Country. She earned a Bachelors of Science degree focused in Business Administration and Management from Broward College and she recently completed fellowships with LatinxEd and The Hunt Institute.