Meet the Judges

Griffin Lotson is a leading expert on Gullah Geechee culture, serving as Vice Chairman of the National Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission and mayor pro tempore of Darien, Georgia. He manages the internationally acclaimed Gullah Geechee Ring Shouters and authored Kumbaya, the first book on the iconic song. Lotson is a Master Ring Shout instructor for the Kennedy Center, choreographer for the Roots remake, and consultant for the Library of Congress and The New York Times. A respected historian and performer, he has traveled extensively through Africa to research musical and cultural connections, working closely with officials in Sierra Leone and the Congo.

Tim Maggart is a U.S. Army veteran and award-winning singer/songwriter known for his patriotic music and dedication to veterans. A former Enlisted Soldier and Army Captain, Tim advocates for service members through performances and projects like the theme song for House of Heroes, which was honored in the Congressional Record. His album Things I Never Said won Country Album of the Year, and his songs “Freedom Train” and “A Link in the Chain of Freedom” have earned national recognition. Tim has performed at venues such as the Bluebird Café and national veteran events, and recently produced The New American Freedom Train Show, celebrating faith, family, and service. He proudly carries on a family legacy of military service dating back to 1864.

James Ponsoldt is an American film director, screenwriter, and actor known for acclaimed films such as Off the Black (2006), Smashed (2012), The Spectacular Now (2013), The End of the Tour (2015), and The Circle (2017). A native of Athens, Georgia, he earned degrees from Yale University, Columbia University (MFA in directing), and completed additional training at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. He is the son of a retired law professor and the grandson of artist William Teason. James is a huge fan of Vic Chesnutt!

Emmy-nominated composer Heather McIntosh is a versatile musician and co-president of the Alliance for Women Film Composers. From performing with artists like Gnarls Barkley, Lil Wayne, and of Montreal to scoring acclaimed films and TV series, Heather has built a dynamic career across genres. A classically trained composer and cellist, she transitioned into film scoring in 2011, with credits including Compliance, Z for Zachariah, The L Word: Generation Q, and Sheryl. An alum of the Sundance Labs and a member of multiple major industry academies, Heather continues to champion diversity in film music while crafting evocative scores that elevate storytelling.