Meet The Team
Mitesh Patel
President/Festival Director
Mitesh Patel graduated from S.P University (India) with a Bachelor in Fine Arts (Applied Arts) in 1997, with the highest distinction of earning the Best Design Award. In 2008, Patel made his first low budget feature film "The man in the maze" which received 12 awards from various film festivals and theatrical distribution. It wasn’t long before Patel started acquiring film rights for theatrical re-release in North America. One of these films, "Delhi Safari", was shortlisted in the Oscar race of 2012. Patel has directed two feature films and has produced/distributed over 20 feature films in the past 15 years, balancing his time between Hollywood and Bollywood. Patel is also a part of PGA, the Producers Guild of America. Today, he plans to keep creating art by producing one film every year.
Betty Ramirez
Vice President
Betty Ramirez, originally from Veracruz, Mexico, has been a Chandler, Arizona resident since 2004. Betty is the vice president of the CIFF and directed the documentary "COVID-19 vs. Arizona: Our Stories" in 2020. In the same year, she founded Fortis Femina LLC, a for-profit venture uniting local women to address community challenges. In 2022, Betty collaborated with CIFF President Mitesh Patel on a feature film based on Fortis Femina members' true stories, set to release in Spring 2023. Betty is actively involved in the City of Chandler, serving on the U.S. Census committee, partnering with the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Division, and contributing to civic programs like the Citizens Police Academy and CIVIC.
Mark Stewart
Board Member
Councilmember Mark Stewart has been a resident of Chandler since 2001 and began his first term on the City Council in January 2017. He has spent more than 20 years with Fortune50 organizations and now owns a marketing and brand company, Concept2Completion. As a serial entrepreneur, he is involved with two additional startup companies as a founding partner. He works to foster a community that embraces inclusion, innovation and spirit on entrepreneurial development. Councilmember Stewart has a Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri State University. Within the community, he volunteers and supports local non-profits and maintains an active faith.
Dave Waltzer
Board Member
Dave Waltzer was born in Wakefield, MA(Near Boston) in 1974 to Roman Catholic parents. He comes from a hard working family whose Dad was Mailman and Mom was a homemaker. They divorced when he was 14 and that's when he started working and helping to raise his younger brother and sister along with attending High School. He was accepted and started attending Babson College in Wellesley, MA after High School. He wanted to be an International Business & Marketing major but was not disciplined enough at that point to complete college. In 1994 he decided to join the United States Air Force. He served 4 1/2 years and was stationed in such exotic places as Misssissppi, Texas, & South Korea where he scheduled and dispatched flights as well as maintained flight records. He was Honorably discharged in 1998.
Areum Jeong
Associate Board Member
Born and raised in Seoul, Korea, Areum has been living in the U.S. since 2007. She holds a MA in Performance Studies from NYU and a PhD in Theater and Performance Studies from UCLA. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Korean Studies at ASU where she researches and teaches Korean film, popular culture, theatre and performance. As a cultural translator and collaborative deviser of performance, Areum provides English-Korean interpretation and translation and organizes seminars and talks with artists and scholars who specialize in Korean and Korean diasporic visual arts. Previously, she has provided English-Korean interpretation and translation for cultural events and projects of Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, CJ E&M America, EBS International Documentary Festival, Electric City Entertainment, Generation Blue Films, Gwangmyeong Music Valley Festival, Jarasum International Jazz Festival, Jeonju International Film Festival, KT&G Sangsangmadang, Luka Productions International, Perspective Pictures, Rainbow Factory Films, Seoul International Women’s Film Festival, Seoul Pride Film Festival, Warner Bros. Korea, and Watcha among others.
Jeff Reynolds
Associate Board Member
Jeff Reynolds is the Founder and CEO of Jeff Reynolds Productions, and Vice President of Commercial Services and Philanthropic Programs at CertaPro Painters of Phoenix.
Currently, Reynolds serves as a Board Member in the “For Our City Chandler” Non-Profit Organization, Commissioner for City of Chandler Housing and Human Services Commission, and has also served as Board President, as well as former Community Manager working with Chandler Neighborhoods. A Champion for Chandler, Jeff served two terms (a total of six years) on the City of Chandler Parks and Recreation Board. As a producer, Jeff Reynolds is involved with multiple projects for the 2023 season. Past projects include, Hashtag Blessed the Movie (Co-Executive Producer), Woman in the Maze (Executive Producer/Actor), and Fortis Femina (Executive Producer). Jeff is also a Partner of the Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival.
Christine Wenger
Board Member
Christine Wenger is an Arizona Native born in Flagstaff. She has a love and passion for helping people and animals alike. Has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science from CSU with a concentration in large animals. Was a judge with Block and Bridal and judged many state fairs in the South West. Now, the Sales Manager for Nations Lending in which she helps people get into their dream home. She has been in the mortgage industry for 20 years and truly enjoys what she does. Everyone matters. She is also very active Ambassador for the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Ahwatukee Chapter of Power Networking Team.
Martha Llamas
Board Member
Martha purchased a Jani-King, commercial cleaning franchise in 2002. Today, her company is recognized as one of the most successful in Jani-King’s history, performing in the top 5% for annual revenue, in a field of over 9500 Jani-King franchises in the United States. She has earned the esteemed, “Presidents Club Award” for generating over 1 million dollars in business, every year since 2003, as well as a host of accolades for her contributions to the community. She currently employs over 70 people and her story has been featured on international television shows, in newspapers and magazines, on radio shows and podcasts. In 2021 Martha was presented with the NRSC Champion for Freedom Award. This award is presented to conservative leaders who have worked tirelessly to create good jobs and protect the values that make our country great.
Andy Bhakta
Associate Board Member
Andy Bhakta is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and the owner of ABR Hospitality Management, a company that oversees the operation of four La Quinta hotels strategically located in Williams, Winslow, Maricopa, and Holbrook, Arizona. With a strong focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences and ensuring operational excellence, Andy has established himself as a leader in the hospitality industry. His dedication to quality and innovation has earned his hotels a reputation for comfort, reliability, and outstanding service.
Beyond his achievements in hospitality, Andy is deeply committed to supporting creative industries. He serves as a valued board member of the American Film Convention (AFC), where he contributes his business acumen and strategic insight to foster the growth and success of the film community. His involvement with AFC reflects his passion for connecting professionals and driving opportunities within the film industry.
A dynamic leader with a vision for success, Andy Bhakta continues to make a significant impact both in hospitality and the arts, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to excellence across multiple fields.
Li Shasha
Associate Board Member
Li Shasha is a multifaceted artist, blending her talents as a singer, songwriter, and model with her passion for the creative arts. Originally from China, Li has called the United States home for nearly 16 years. Her musical journey includes writing heartfelt songs, recording them, and sharing her work online with her growing fanbase.
Beyond music, Li has a keen interest in the film industry and enjoys exploring opportunities within it. Balancing her creative endeavors with her personal life, she cherishes spending time with her family and engaging in a variety of activities together. Li’s artistry and love for storytelling continue to inspire those who follow her journey.
Bailey Fletcher
Festival Coordinator
Bailey Fletcher is the Festival Coordinator at the Chandler International Film Festival (CIFF). She studied filmmaking practices at Arizona State University and has a deep passion for storytelling through various creative mediums.
Born in California but raised in Gilbert, Arizona, she is deeply connected to the community and the creative energy that Arizona offers. Beyond her role at CIFF, she is also an accomplished photographer, constantly seeking new ways to express her creativity. With a love for movies and a commitment to supporting local talent, Baileyis dedicated to making CIFF an unforgettable experience for filmmakers and audiences alike.
Sahaana Baskaran
Social Media | Video Creator and editor
Sahaana Baskaran is a senior at Arizona State University, double majoring in Computer Information Systems and Digital Marketing. Born in Tamil Nadu, South India, she moved to the U.S. at the age of five and has since lived in several states across the country, with Arizona currently being her home.Sahaana is passionate about creativity in all its forms. When she’s not handling digital marketing, event planning, or managing social media for the Chandler International Film Festival, she’s likely creating videos, editing, and bringing her artistic visions to life. Filmmaking and editing are more than just hobbies—they’re a way for her to express her creativity, particularly through travel videos shared on Instagram.In her free time, Sahaana loves to travel, draw, paint, cook and bake in the kitchen. She’s also a big BTS fan and enjoys watching K-dramas, so if you’re ever up for a chat about K-pop or a binge-watching session, she’s your go-to person!
