Meet The Team

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

Mhairi is an established actress and film producer based in Scotland. She recently won Best Newcomer at the National Film Awards for her work so far. Her career started when she played the 'Young Murron' in Mel Gibsons movie 'Braveheart' since then she has gone on to play leading roles in World War 2 Sony movie 'The Eastern Front', historical drama 'Robert The Bruce' currently on Sky Movies and most recently Victorian drama 'Fear The Invisible Man'. In 2019 she established her production company Dream Reel Entertainment and directed festival award winning film "Gaslight."

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Whether it be producing feature films, commercials, music videos, or television programming, traveling the world to produce live concert videos and streaming events, Trinity Houston does it all with a style and flair that makes it look easy. Trinity has now taken this enormous experience into the world of movie and music distribution as an agent for the Los Angeles based Studio City Pictures, scouting and producing quality content for theatrical and streaming entities worldwide, with a goal toward discovering new film talent wherever it may be.

PRODUCER AND US CHAIRPERSON

Savage is currently under contract as a staff writer for Paramount Studios and the new Paramount Network. An International award-winning screenwriter, producer, and film and television director. He is also the creator & festival director at Idyllwild Festival of Cinema which is going into its 13th year. Stephen Savage was named one of the New Indie Mavericks by The Hollywood Reporter, Savage’s writing and directing resume includes the sleeper hit of the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival, “Cosmic Radio” (which was also a special invited film to The Sundance Film Festival that year), the Sundance Channel western-thriller “The Hunter’s Moon”, “Legacy”, now in worldwide release in seven languages, and “Vertical” the female driven drama, winner of the Best Foreign Film at the 2015 London International Film Festival.

His commercial work for companies like Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, Acura, and the 2012 Super Bowl spot for Suzuki, along with his direction of all access concert footage of the LA Philharmonic, Billy Idol, Carls Santana, and Morrissey at The Hollywood Bowl, have earned him a place among the most active independent filmmakers working today. His current feature film project is a Rock and Roll rom-com starring Anne Archer and an all star cast, entitled “Ulysses Coyote”.

Producer and International Chairperson

Lesley Paterson is a former 5 x World Champion professional triathlete turned filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California. Originally from Scotland, UK, Lesley has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Film, and has been acting, writing and producing for over 20 years alongside her sports career.

At the beginning of her film career, she teamed up with Ian Stokell to option and adapt the famous novel All Quiet on the Western Front. After 15 years of developing the project in tandem with her husband, Dr Simon Marshall, they found the perfect partners in Edward Berger and Malte Grunert to finally get it off the ground. 

Having now retired from professional sport, Lesley has partnered exclusively with Simon to focus on writing and producing full time. The next project in pre-production is “Fighting Charity”. Written by Simon and Lesley, the story follows a London Police Officer, who revisits her Irish Traveller roots she left behind decades before, stirring up an old and violent rivalry between two Traveller families. This will be co-produced by Mike Medavoy and Michael Peterson of Phoenix Pictures. Richie Smyth is directing, who won the IFTA Award for best directing for The Siege of Jadotville – also a Netflix original film.  

Second up on the slate will be “Our Soul to Keep” – written by Simon and Lesley, this script is based on an amazing true story set in 1900 in what we now know as Ghana. It follows a Queen Mother (Yaa Asantewaa) as she raises an army of 5000 warriors to fight off the British and save their sacred Golden Stool - the soul of the Ashanti nation. 

As Lesley now takes the magic formula that won her many world titles in sport, she is setting her sights on some lofty ambitions to create and produce hard hitting and muscularly poetic stories for her second shot in a new career!

Artist Liason

Becky brings her years of experience and enthusiasm to SIFC as a seasoned Artist Liason with the successful Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema. Her work in Lighting Management and Project Coordination for Burning Man, Alford Media, Showmasters and Hard Rock Cafe has taken her all over the world. Becky is a compelling leader who inspires a shared vision by generating energy and stimulating action.