63 AAFF - Intern Spotlights 2 (Abigail, Ellie K., Juliet, Isabelle, Megan, Claire)

March 26th, 2025

Welcome back to the Ann Arbor Film Festival’s Intern Spotlights, where we hear from some of the folks who make the festival happen. This week, we are featuring the other six interns working hard to help run the AAFF. They'll be at the festival helping out with everything from operations to outreach.

Isabelle Zeaske, PR Assistant

Abigail Knox

Abigail Knox - Programs Assistant

Abigail Knox grew up screening films for the Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF) alongside her parents. This sparked her passion for experimental art, outsider art, and nonprofit arts organizations. A recent art history graduate from Columbia College Chicago, Abigail is currently a second-year programs assistant intern with AAFF.

What aspect of the 63rd AAFF are you most excited for?

I am excited to work alongside so many incredibly talented artists.

What is your favorite film you have ever seen in the Michigan Theater? 

One of my favorite films that I saw in the Michigan Theater is a short film from last year's 62nd AAFF, Bolero (Nans Laborde-Jourdàa).

If someone were to visit Ann Arbor for the film festival, what is something they should make sure to do in town?

If one can find the time outside of the numerous festival activities, head to Zingerman's! Delicious.

Ellie Kooney

Ellie Kooney - Video Assistant

Ellie Kooney is the current video assistant at the 63rd Ann Arbor Film Festival. She is a senior at the Stamps School of Art and design at U of M with a BFA focus in Animation and Graphic Design.

What genre and style would a film about your life be?

My life would probably be a coming of age drama/comedy since there are so many "Truman" moments in my life where everything feels too emotional or too comedic to not have been scripted. I think my life would be a mixed media film between hand drawn animation and live action on a 16 mm anamorphic lens for a textured/grainier effect.

What is your favorite film you have ever seen in the Michigan Theater? 

I saw the third marvel Spiderman with Andrew Garfield, Toby Maguire, and Tom Holland in it at the Michigan theater freshman year which was really fun! I also remember watching almost all the animation films that the AAFF showed that year which was really really cool as well.

What’s the first film you remember watching that left a lasting impression on you?

One of the first films that really made an impact on me was the movie "La La Land" (2016). I was about to be a freshman in high school when the film came out and knew I really loved art, but seeing the beauty of film come to life in front of me in a way that was so colorful and fun really made a lasting impact on me. There were also sections of the film that were experimental that drew me into that kind of cinematography.

Juliet Bornholdt

Juliet Bornholdt - Operations Assistant

Juliet Bornholdt (they/them) is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Film, Television, and Media. They are from Oakland, California and enjoy spending time with the redwoods, or taking photos with their film camera. They are passionate about directing, cinematography, and lighting, and plan to move to LA to be involved in the queer indie filmmaking scene upon graduating.

What aspect of the 63rd AAFF are you most excited for?

Seeing all the amazing films that are in the festival!

What genre and style would a film about your life be?

Queer, Coming of Age Roadtrip Drama.

If someone were to visit Ann Arbor for the film festival, what is something they should make sure to do in town?

Grab some coffee at Argus Farm Stop and ice cream at Blank Slate.

Isabelle Zeaske

Isabelle Zeaske - PR Assistant

Isabelle Zeaske (she/her) is a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Communications and Media, with a minor in Performing Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. She is active in the theater scene on campus, having directed productions through the RC Players and Shakespeare In The Arb. Isabelle often spends the winter months knitting and making large pots of soup. Her favorite film is currently Into the Spider-Verse.

What genre and style would a film about your life be?

I think a film about my life would be a Parks and Rec-style mockumentary. That style is so good for getting a sense of characters and I love getting to know people and being able to find common ground. 

What’s the first film you remember watching that left a lasting impression on you?

The original Disney Cinderella really stole my heart as a little kid. The painted backgrounds in that film are so beautiful and I love the way everything seems to sparkle and glow. I’m sure if I watched it today it wouldn’t all hold up, but I still like that it teaches kindness. 

If someone were to visit Ann Arbor for the film festival, what is something they should make sure to do in town?

One of my favorite things to do in the city is to watch a film in the Michigan Theater, so they would have that covered! It’s such a beautiful space and I love the way that theaters transform a bunch of strangers in streets into people experiencing something together. Other than that, I love the Kerrytown Market and Shops, which is just a few blocks from downtown (across the street from Zingerman’s). The cute little stores there have been my holiday gifting go-tos for years.

Megan Cao

Megan Cao - Outreach Assistant

Megan is a senior studying Communication and Media at the University of Michigan. She first heard about the film festival last year as an intern. Her favorite program was Opening Night.

What’s the first film you remember watching that left a lasting impression on you?

The first film I saw that had a lasting impression was Avatar - I was 7 and thought it was a documentary.

What is your favorite film you have ever seen in the Michigan Theater? 

I just saw Flow this year, it was amazing!

What aspect of the 63rd AAFF are you most excited for?

I'm most excited to talk with the filmmakers who come to the festival to see their films screened! It was so gratifying to talk with them and hear their stories last year, and I'm excited for this year too!

Claire Stephens

Claire Stephens - Technical and Print Traffic Assistant

Claire Stephens is a junior Film, Television, and Media studies major with a French minor at the University of Michigan. When she's not working at a local cafe or being an assistant camera on a student project, she can be found in printmaking, watching all the Scream movies in order, or playing volleyball.

What aspect of the 63rd AAFF are you most excited for?

I'm really excited to get behind the scenes at the screenings and meet all the filmmakers. 

What genre and style would a film about your life be?

Unfortunately, it would probably be a drama or comedy.

What’s the first film you remember watching that left a lasting impression on you?

The first film that left a lasting impression on me was probably Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I found it terrifying but fascinating at the same time. I also loved to pester my brother by singing the song during car rides.