Director/Founder - Aspen, Colorado

Jonathan Kloberdanz founded Frontline Film School after documenting the Syrian refugee crisis across Europe, igniting his passion for storytelling with social impact.

Jonathan has worked as a contractor for Apple, producing high-quality content for one of the world’s most innovative brands. His work has aired on major networks and platforms, including CNN, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, VICE, BBC, and Yahoo News.

Jonathan worked with EcoFlight, producing powerful films on climate change and environmental justice across the Western United States. His collaborations with Native American communities helped expose threats to water rights, endangered species, and fragile ecosystems, raising awareness about land conservation and environmental protection.

Internationally, Jonathan has filmed in Rwanda, documenting post-genocide recovery, and in Haiti, capturing stories of resilience after the earthquake. He also directed three films about Burning Man and a documentary on Frank Lloyd Wright.

As the Director of Frontline Film School, a nonprofit teaching filmmaking on the frontlines of climate change and humanitarian crises, Jonathan is dedicated to empowering the next generation of storytellers. His work continues to drive awareness and action on some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Strategic Connector – Bridging Corporations and Impact Projects

Paula Schwarz is a German-Greek social entrepreneur known for her work at the intersection of technology, migration, and social innovation. She founded Cosmopolis, a global collaboration platform connecting change-makers across borders.

Paula is also the founder of Angel House in Athens — a large creative co-living space designed for journalists, artists, chefs, musicians, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and other innovative minds. Angel House functions as a basecamp and creative launchpad for Frontline Film School, supporting filmmakers and crew as they prepare for missions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Angel House operates a satellite operations center on Samos Island, near the Turkish border — a frontline hub where Frontline Film School hosts crew, workshops, and collaborative sessions. This space serves as a think tank and working station for developing humanitarian and ecological-impact projects, including work on water scarcity, pollution mitigation, environmental resilience, and sustainability.

Paula’s work continues to bridge visionary people, bold ideas, and high-impact projects across borders.

Director & Editor - Medellin, Colombia

Álvaro Gómez Gutiérrez is a Colombian filmmaker and television director with over two decades of experience in documentary and broadcast production. His work spans editing, scriptwriting, and cinematography, with films featured at international festivals across the globe.

A versatile creative, Álvaro has built a career as a freelance videographer and photographer, mastering every stage of the filmmaking process—from concept development to post-production. He is also skilled in motion graphics and short-form storytelling for both digital platforms and traditional media.

Guided by a belief in storytelling as a force for social impact, Álvaro collaborates on humanitarian and educational initiatives that amplify underrepresented voices. At Frontline Film School, he mentors young filmmakers, helping them transform real-life experiences into powerful cinematic narratives that inspire awareness and change.

Producer & Assistant to Director - Los Angeles, California

Dydine (Umunyana) Anderson is a writer, filmmaker, and human rights advocate dedicated to amplifying the voices of those affected by war, displacement, and social injustice. As a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, she brings a deep understanding of resilience, healing, and the power of storytelling to Frontline Film School.

Dydine is the founder of the Umuco Love Foundation, co-founder of Kind Kulture, and co-host of the Umuco Podcast, where she sheds light on issues of human rights, identity, and cultural preservation. She teaches students podcasting, writing, and filmmaking, helping them turn personal experiences into powerful narratives.

With a background as a talent executive assistant at CBS Corporation, she has experience managing high-level projects and supporting creative initiatives. Her work bridges the divide between those who have endured trauma in war zones and the global audience that needs to hear their stories. Through her leadership, advocacy, and storytelling, Dydine plays a crucial role in shaping Frontline Film School’s mission to empower marginalized voices worldwide.

Social Media & PR Director - Medellin, Colombia

Juan Camilo Bolívar brings a wealth of experience in international business, media, and legal strategy to Frontline Film School. As an Adjunct Professor at Universidad EAFIT, he teaches electronic business with a focus on global finance and negotiation. His background as an international consultant has given him deep expertise in data protection, privacy laws, and business strategies across the U.S., Europe, and LATAM.

Previously, Juan worked as a Contract Manager at TikTok, where he played a key role in legal compliance, contract management, and promoting LatinX culture within the EMEA region. His experience navigating complex global markets and legal frameworks makes him a natural fit for leading Frontline Film School’s public relations and social media strategy, ensuring the project reaches and inspires a worldwide audience.

Community & Partnerships Director - Global

Rory Curtin is a geographer and ethnographer, whose research focuses on borders, mobility, and agricultural sovereignty. She worked in West Africa and Southern Europe while getting her MA in Global Public Health from New York University, establishing urban farms with migrants in an effort to preserve culture through food despite displacement. For her second MA from Columbia University, she worked with the Tibetan diaspora on the effects of urban migration, mechanization, and modernization, on networks of socio-ecological resilience in Ladakh, India. She is currently working on her PhD in Israel-Palestine, examining topics of land, agriculture, governance, and state formation in settler colonial societies. She has always aspired to share her experiences through documentary film, as the stories she’s encountering are becoming increasingly pertinent to share with a wider audience.

Advisory Board Member – Uribia, La Guajira

Joander González is a 24-year-old indigenous Wayuu leader from Colombia, dedicated to intercultural learning and youth empowerment. A gifted polyglot fluent in six languages, Joander believes in the transformative power of communication to bridge cultures and build understanding. He actively volunteers with Wikimedia projects across the Colombian-Venezuelan Guajira region, where he champions free knowledge, indigenous language preservation, and digital inclusion. Joander brings to Frontline Film School his deep cultural insight, grassroots experience, and unwavering passion for storytelling, education, and indigenous empowerment.

Advisory Board Member - Afghanistan/Europe

At just 21, Nasrina brings a rare strength and insight to the Frontline Film School Advisory Board. Originally from Afghanistan with years spent in Iran, she embodies resilience, independence, and the pursuit of freedom. After losing her mother and journeying alone across borders to reach Europe, Nasrin now lives in the Samos refugee camp in Greece. Her story represents the courage of young women who defy oppression to chase education, equality, and creative expression. Through her voice and perspective, she reminds the organization—and the world—why storytelling matters.

Advisory Board Member - Sudan

Yasser is a 22-year-old Sudanese refugee living in the Zervou Camp on Samos Island, Greece. A passionate storyteller shaped by hardship and resilience, Ahmed aspires to make films about illegal immigration and the suffering of his people, using cinema as a voice for those who are unheard. Through his lived experience and creative vision, he seeks to expose injustice, inspire empathy, and ignite change. As a Youth Advisory Member of Frontline Film School, Ahmed brings authenticity, courage, and a commitment to empowering the next generation of filmmakers from displaced communities.

Diane Moore is an Aspen, Colorado-based freelance filmmaker and photographer who has worked in the visual arts field for over 15 years. Her work is driven by her curiosity and appreciation for people, their stories, and a passionate belief that film can inspire change through community engagement.

In 2013, she met orchestral conductor Roderick Cox and spent the next seven years following him on his musical journey to locations in the U.S. and Europe. The result is her award-winning documentary, CONDUCTING LIFE, which has been screened in over twenty-nine film festivals.

As the director, producer, and executive producer of CONDUCTING LIFE, Diane assembled the creative team and assisted with the film funding, taking Roderick Cox’s story from conceptualization to finished film. Diane co-produced STORY SWAP, a documentary that premiered at the Aspen Ideas Festival and subsequently played several film festivals.

Diane is a board member of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Frontline Film School.

Michael Stranahan is a civic leader and teacher. An enthusiast for math and science education, Mr. Stranahan taught math at elementary and high school levels. As a civic leader, he has served on several environmental, science, and educational non-profit boards, including as former chairman of the Rocky Mountain Institute. In addition, he currently serves on the board of a mathematics-geometry educational teaching product company called Zometool, which makes model kits that enable hands-on exploration of three dimensional design. Michael is also a member of the the board of Future Generations University. Future Generations University is a global pioneer in higher education, specializing in the interdisciplinary field of Applied Community Development. The University offers one-of-a-kind learning opportunities to community grounded professionals committed to developing a more inclusive, sustainable, and hopeful world.

Alison Thompson is a filmmaker, author, and humanitarian who has spent more than twenty years leading disaster relief efforts around the globe. She directed the award-winning documentary The Third Wave, which premiered at Tribeca and was later presented at Cannes with support from Sean Penn and Bono. As founder of Third Wave Volunteers, she has mobilized over 30,000 volunteers to respond to crises from the 2004 tsunami to earthquakes in Haiti, refugee emergencies in Syria and Ukraine, and beyond. Her work combines frontline action with storytelling, highlighting the resilience of communities in crisis. Thompson brings this experience to the Advisory Board of Frontline Film School, where she supports the mission of amplifying underrepresented voices through film.

Meet Michael Brown, a visionary filmmaker and accomplished adventure athlete. With five triumphant Mount Everest expeditions, cameras in tow, he's fearlessly captured breathtaking footage. A decorated director and cinematographer, Michael's work spans all continents, earning numerous accolades, including three national Emmy Awards from five nominations. As the Director of the Sarah Adventure Film School, he shares his boundless knowledge, fostering future generations of filmmakers. From ice caves to avalanches, Michael's lens has immortalized awe-inspiring moments for prestigious clients like NOVA, Discovery, and National Geographic. Currently, his latest project showcases the extraordinary journey of blind kayakers navigating the Grand Canyon. Braving the world's harshest terrains, Michael consistently returns with captivating stories and stunning visuals. Praised as a "swashbuckling librarian" by Outside Magazine and hailed as "a master of gut-dropping action" by Men's Journal, he's a force to be reckoned with in the world of filmmaking.

Lewis Teague is an American film director, whose work includes Alligator, Cat's Eye, Cujo, The Jewel of the Nile, The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!, Navy SEALs and Wedlock. Lewis brings decades of experience to the Frontline Film School and advises crew and students on ways to break into the industry of film/television.

Roger Brown is a documentary film producer with over 50 years of experience bringing real stories to life. A four-time National Emmy Award winner, his work has also earned top honors at Banff, Telluride, and Trento film festivals.

Inducted into the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, Roger pioneered storytelling that blended adventure, humanity, and environmental awareness—spanning skiing, climbing, kayaking, and global expeditions for network television.

Roger continues to guide the next generation of filmmakers at Frontline Film School, helping turn bold visions into cinematic realities.