Stunt Director
Melissa Stubbs
Theater 1
Saturday May 16
3:00 P.M.
Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Sharon Stone, Goldie Hawn, Kristin Stewart, Ashley Judd, Diane Lane, Emilia Clarke, Gillian Anderson, Dakota Johnson, Kate Blanchet and Margot Robbie are all A-list actresses. They all have had Melissa Stubbs as a stunt double. In 1993 Stubbs continued stunt acting and began stunt coordinating for movies and television including Teminator Genyis, X-Men 2, X-men 3, The Last Samurai, Double Jeopardy, Eragon, Fringe, Alcatraz and Vampire Diaries.
Her success was only beginning. Stubbs worked on Oscar-winning movies as the action director and fight choreographer for Braveheart, Gladiator, The Bourn Identity carving a path for women as fight choreographers in Hollywood.
Melissa Stubbs has performed, choreographed or directed every action-packed stunt you have seen or can think of. She keeps her skills sharp by training in motorcycle racing, stunt driving, horsemanship, martial arts, fight choreography, stunt rigging, high falls, and fire burns.
Member of the Directors Guild of America, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in 2008, becoming the only woman in the stunt world to be able to vote on the Oscars. Her awards include Screen Actors Guild for best stunt ensemble, and several nominations for best ensemble, 3 nominations for the Taurus World Stunt Awards, with a win for “Best Stunt by a Woman.” Now a stunt director and actor, Melissa is the archetype for her profession. She shared “it’s always a gamble, there are too many shots and never enough time, many people to please, your loosing the light, the cars break down, the horses are tired, the stunt actor doesn’t show up, we only have the street for three minutes every hour – and yet we prevail, no matter the circumstances YOUJUST MAKE IT HAPPEN! It’s like no other feeling.”
Visit Melissa Stubbs website Action Girl Films by using the button below.
Stunt Director
Melissa Stubbs
Theater 1
Saturday May 16
3:00 P.M.
Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Sharon Stone, Goldie Hawn, Kristin Stewart, Ashley Judd, Diane Lane, Emilia Clarke, Gillian Anderson, Dakota Johnson, Kate Blanchet and Margot Robbie are all A-list actresses. They all have had Melissa Stubbs as a stunt double. In 1993 Stubbs continued stunt acting and began stunt coordinating for movies and television including Teminator Genyis, X-Men 2, X-men 3, The Last Samurai, Double Jeopardy, Eragon, Fringe, Alcatraz and Vampire Diaries.
Her success was only beginning. Stubbs worked on Oscar-winning movies as the action director and fight choreographer for Braveheart, Gladiator, The Bourn Identity carving a path for women as fight choreographers in Hollywood.
Melissa Stubbs has performed, choreographed or directed every action-packed stunt you have seen or can think of. She keeps her skills sharp by training in motorcycle racing, stunt driving, horsemanship, martial arts, fight choreography, stunt rigging, high falls, and fire burns.
Member of the Directors Guild of America, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in 2008, becoming the only woman in the stunt world to be able to vote on the Oscars. Her awards include Screen Actors Guild for best stunt ensemble, and several nominations for best ensemble, 3 nominations for the Taurus World Stunt Awards, with a win for “Best Stunt by a Woman.” Now a stunt director and actor, Melissa is the archetype for her profession. She shared “it’s always a gamble, there are too many shots and never enough time, many people to please, your loosing the light, the cars break down, the horses are tired, the stunt actor doesn’t show up, we only have the street for three minutes every hour – and yet we prevail, no matter the circumstances YOUJUST MAKE IT HAPPEN! It’s like no other feeling.”
Visit Melissa Stubbs website Action Girl Films by using the button below.
Producer
Suzanne Lyons
Theater 1
Saturday May 16
11:00 A.M.
Suzanne Lyons, Hollywood veteran is the producer or co-producer for more than 14 films, including family film THE CHAPERONE with the WWE, starring Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”), award-winning thrillers, CANDY STRIPERS, SÉANCE, written and directed by Mark L. Smith (“The Revenant”, “Twisters”), PORTAL, and DESERT OF BLOOD.
Author of "Indie Film Producing: The Craft of Low Budget Filmmaking," Ms. Lyons has travelled all over the world to speak in more than 80 industry events, starred in more than 130 entertainment industry videos (youtube.com/suzannelyons) and is the founder of Flash Forward Institute, her film school focused on succeeding in business as well as the creative.
Ms. Lyons humility does not overshadow her incredible career. From VP of Marketing in Canadian Television, producing and directing news, and selling film for international markets, to Los Angeles in the '90's, launching a film school, writing the movie production bible used in colleges and film schools all across the U.S., she never stops. Suzanne is in development on MOSAIC, based on the novel by New York Times bestselling author Gayle Lynds, and several other projects. As if her career wasn't already amazing, she has partnered with Sunset Pictures at Warner Brothers to produce IN MY LIFE, a John Lennon family feature film.
For more on this incredible talent, visit www.snowfallfilms.com and suzannelyons.net. To buy her book "Indie Film Producing: the Craft of Low Budget Filmmaking"
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ANISHA GIBBS
Friday May 15, 2026
8:00 PM
Theater 1
Anisha is a force who continues to rise. She gives new meaning to being multi-hyphenated in the action and entertainment worlds both on set of the summer blockbuster hit and across social media.
Anisha has stunt doubled for Halley Berry, Priyanka Chopra, Jurnee Smollett and SZA. Her mastery of martial arts and movement brought invitations to work with Disney, Netflix, Warner Brothers / DC and Marvel, including Guardians of the Galaxy and Harley Quinn's Birds of Prey. Her beauty and talent have led to on screen appearances in Terminator: Dark Fate and from the world of John Wick: Ballerina, where she faced off with Ana de Armas.
Harnessing the natural talent and skills she has honed over a lifetime -- martial arts, dance, fitness, creativity, acting, directing and choreography -- Anisha's latest breakthroughs include collaborating closely with Teyana Taylor at Vogue World fashion show of 2025.
Before stepping into the stunt world, Anisha traveled the globe dancing and choreographing for artists such as Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Justin Beiber, WizKid, DJ Khaled, and many, many more.
A creator, a performed, and as much a force behind the camera as in the center of the action, Anisha continues to push the boundaries of what's possible. She is only getting started. Neeshnation knows she is rapidly becoming the new standard of excellence.
Beyond film and television, Anisha collaborates with global brands, creating high-impact social media campaigns and partnerships. Her work bridges performance art and digital storytelling. She connects wit the audience immediately, bridging an emotional connection between the audience and the brand. Significant brand partners who have sought Anisha's talent and impact include Meta.
Anisha Gibbs is in such high demand she joins the Women Heroes in Action Movies Film Festival on opening night, May 15, only to be whisked away early the next morning to another international blockbuster movie production.
RADCYCLED with
TAYLOR WILBUR
Theater 1
Saturday May 16
12:15 P.M.
Rad-Cycled was born from a shared love of woodworking, the arts, and sustainability. Over the years, we’ve developed a passion for creating high-quality pieces that not only stand the test of time but also tell a story. Every project we take on is infused with our values: creativity, environmental responsibility, and community. Whether it’s turning old skateboards into one-of-a-kind cutting boards, recycling hardwoods into jewelry, or customizing your camping and hiking gear, we pour our hearts into every project.
At Rad-Cycled, we represent the mistreated and discarded — in both material and in life. Through sustainable design and compassionate action, we transform what others throw away into symbols of resilience, redemption, and purpose. We are committed to transforming the way we create and care for our world. Through our eco-conscious designs using recycled woods, our mission is to foster sustainability, creativity, and compassion in everything we do.
Swordmaster Jenn Czep
Saturday May 16, 2026
1:30 PM
Theater 1
Jenn Czep is a woman of many talents. WHAM FEST 26 is honored to host her sharing sword fighting techniques with various blades.
From New York's Big Apple to the Grand Canyon State and the Valley of the Sun, Jenn is forever active in the arts community. Author and performer, her sword fighting skills come out most prominantly in her character Captain Blackstrap. Don't let the smile and personality fool you. Real and deadly sword fighting skills are at the core of this pirate in the desert. She has taken the stage with pirates and mermaids, danced with the fae, and returned to offer classes, readings, and workshops across the country.
Jenn Czep appears all around Arizona, though she primarily teaches at Jenn’s House of Rainbows and Awesome, and The Scribbled Hollow in Glendale. You can find her books in libraries, online and in local book stores. Her generosity and burning desire to teach knows no bounds. Jenn teaches classes in belly dance, sword, yoga, writing workshops, tarot and reiki. For more information check out her website easalle.z@gmail.com.
"Keep up, if you can. Let creativity move you! "
JENN CZEP