In 2017 Alex debuted their first feature documentary, Susanne Bartsch: On Top, which premiered at Hot Docs and went on to win the John Schlesinger award at the Provincetown International Film Festival. Alex has received multiple Webby Awards, Vimeo Staff Pick and featured on Netflix, Hulu, MTV, VH1, Vogue, Dazed, HuffPo, Rolling Stone, Paper Magazine, Bullett, Out, and Vice. Alex co-produced the Topic Studios/Magnet Releasing film Wrinkles the Clown (2019), directed an episode of the documentary series Pride for FX (2021), field segments for Queer Sports on Vice (2023), and most recently finished filming a feature documentary about Tina Burner and Blake Allen staging their original musical, Farmyard Follies.

Ariel Ottey is a Black, queer, and non-binary artist, curator, and producer born and raised in New York. They are passionate about QTIBIPOC representation and building spaces where art and community converge to create social change. Ariel programmed and produced events for the Human Rights Watch Film Festival before stepping into their current role of Director of Operations for MIX NYC. Most recently they programmed for Frameline49, served on the narrative jury for Wicked Queer, and began programming for PrideFull Fest. When not reviewing films, Ariel can be caught being a proud cat dad and working on their film about identity and labor.

Blake Pruitt is an editor, filmmaker, film festival director and activist living in New York City. He's a proud Motion Picture Editors Guild Local 700 member. His feature editing debut, the documentary A House is Not a Disco, premiered at SXSW 2024. Blake’s vision for MIX is to create a platform for artists to showcase their work and create art beyond the constraints of traditional film ‘industry’ or ‘market’ demands. He approaches MIX as a filmmaker first, aiming to foster a supportive environment where artists can freely express themselves.

Tia Wong is an artist, designer, and community organizer residing in Ottawa, Canada (unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation). She was born and raised in Toronto, where she began practicing fine arts and filmmaking. Tia works as a graphic designer and communications professional for arts, climate science, and community solidarity organizations. Her love of parties and cinema led her to MIX in 2024.

Octavia Leona Kohner is an anarchist, transexual, lover, and artist. In that order. She believes in DIY and hates selling out. Director, DP, Technical Director, and Script Doctor. Allergic to melons.

Aderet Fishbane is a filmmaker and poet making experimental documentaries about inheritance and embodiment. They are a recipient of the NBCUniversal Original Voices Accelerator Fellowship and their short films have screened both in the US and internationally.

Ash Lee is a transmasc Korean-American from Atlanta (he/they) passionate about creating inclusive brands, nightlife, and community experiences that center QTBIPOC voices. They have developed diversity-focused campaigns for L’Oréal and LVMH and produce QTBIPOC sex-positive events in collaboration with NYC performers, DJs, educators, artists, businesses, and organizers. Their on-camera experience includes Peacock’s Couple to Throuple Season 1, Getty Images’ Pride Collection, RuPaul’s Drag Race x Smirnoff Pride, Abercrombie Pride, Got2b and Redken, as well as a transmasc documentary created by queer filmmakers connected to MIX. Ash currently manages weekends at Henrietta Hudson and has volunteered with MIX for two years on the Party team, bringing their approach to nightlife and community spaces with safety, respect, and inclusion at the forefront.

Damon Beirne is a filmmaker based in Brooklyn, whose work amplifies the artistic practice of LGBTQ+ performers. His short film Lavender Outlaws, about LGBTQ americana music, screened at Americanafest, OUTSouth, Gaze International, and won the audience award at TRANSlations. He is a member of DCTV, The Gotham, Filmshop, and serves as the director of archival for MIX NYC. Look out for his upcoming feature, Notes On N.O.P.E.