Dallas FilmDallas FilmThe DIFF team works year-round to curate, moderate, and facilitate programs for our local film community. With decades of combined festival, programming, and educational experience, these people live for film. And it shows. Get to know the people behind the scenes that make DIFF run. And if you see them at a festival or a program, know that they are putting in all the hard work for you. You might even want to buy them a drink and talk movies.
Named in September 2022 as CEO of Dallas Film Society, Inc. | Dallas International Film Festival, Beth Wilbins was drawn to film at an early age. (In her first newspaper interview at the age of five, she told the reporter she and her little brother were "at the movies".)
Wilbins has a multifaceted portfolio that includes business management, executive consulting, marketing communications, and public relations.
She founded and owned Forte Group, Inc., a national senior lifestyles marketing and PR firm, which was acquired by The Point Group in 2015. She remained as president of The Point Group Senior Lifestyle Division until 2019, when she went on to serve as president of Wilbins Group, Inc., a consultancy with four practice areas: W/G Senior Lifestyles (senior living marketing and PR), W/G Film Studios (film production), W/G Talent (talent booking and special events), and The Wilbins Group (executive consulting).
Wilbins is the former editor-in-chief of D Magazine and former publisher and editor-in-chief of Philanthropy World magazine.
A native of Winston-Salem, NC, Wilbins was graduated cum laude from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and did her graduate studies in mass communication at Wake Forest University.
James Faust likes to rock and watch movies. Not in that order. He began as the festival’s Senior Programmer at our inception back in 2006, when we were still called AFI DALLAS. That position followed programming roles with the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, The Austin Film Festival and Texas Black Film Festival. A die-hard Raiders fan, James received Telecommunication and Theatre degrees at Texas Tech University, which he followed up with a degree in Cinema Studies at Southern Methodist University. He has served on juries and panels all over the world speaking about film festival management, programming and marketing.
Amber Ekleberry serves as the Director of Programming and Senior Programmer for The Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) and DIFF Shorts. Her journey in film began behind the camera, where hands-on experience on set deepened her appreciation for storytelling and the intricate process of filmmaking. This firsthand knowledge enables her to connect authentically with filmmakers and curate a festival lineup that resonates with both creators and audiences.
In addition to her role at DIFF, Amber is the co-owner and co-founder of Burned To Light Media, a creative agency dedicated to helping businesses, organizations, and individuals tell their unique stories.
Amber holds a bachelor's degree in Film and Media Arts from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and an associate degree in Public Relations and Advertising from Collin College.
Drawing from her diverse cultural heritage, Amber brings a unique and inclusive perspective to the Dallas film community. Her passion for film is complemented by her love for various forms of artistic expression, including painting and sculpting. She is committed to fostering a vibrant and welcoming environment for filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike, ensuring that DIFF remains a cornerstone of creative expression in Dallas.
When not immersed in film, Amber enjoys exploring new artistic mediums and supporting local art initiatives. Through her active engagement with the arts and the Dallas community, she continually develops as a filmmaker and programmer, demonstrating her unwavering passion for creative expression.
aekleberry@dallasfilm.org
Alex Garcia Topete is a writer and filmmaker with more than 15 years of experience working in the creative industries in Mexico and the United States, having worked as transnational line producer for the award-winning film Te Prometo Anarquía (2015), as series development consultant for Sony Pictures Television International (2010), as executive producer for shows on National Public Radio’s digital platform (2010), and as writer-director of nationally-broadcast sketch shows for Mexico’s Televisa del Golfo (2006-2007), among others. He has been the managing partner and chief creative officer of the Dallas-based media production company Nowadays Orange Productions since its establishment in 2011. He has written, directed, and produced several projects, including the independent features Trippers (2010) and Vamps, Blood & Smoking Guns (2012), as well as the award-winning independent sitcom The Realty (2019-), the edutainment web series HablandoTV (2015-) and the Lone Star Emmy-winning docu-series Our Americas (2016-). In addition, Alex has been a curator/programmer since 2007 for several film festivals, including the Dallas International Film Festival and the Festival de Cine Latino Americano of North Texas (FDCLA), of which he’s an original co-founder.
Alex is also a researcher and entrepreneur with a doctorate in Arts, Technology and Emerging Communications and a master’s degree in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from the University of Texas at Dallas. His research and expertise focus on transdisciplinary intelligence & collaboration methodologies, particularly as they relate to the creative industries and their relationship to technology, value creation ecosystems, diverse publics, and social impact.
Interests & specialties include: Writing, literary criticism, story analysis, philosophy, feminism, environmentalism, science fiction, science+art collaboration, quantum aesthetics, entrepreneurship, innovation, philanthropy, photography, graphic design, copy-editing, analytical journalism, political science, translation & interpreting.
Respected executive and communications consultant with US Fortune 100 credentials. Accomplished, change-driven senior executive with consistent record of breakthrough achievements -- proudest moments were while serving under the legendary Roger Frizzell. Clients are corporate and nonprofit CEOs and executives who want to grow their organizations. Operate within virtual networks of communications specialists run by former senior executives of the world's leading corporations and agencies. Specialize in troubleshooting intractable problems. Served as a senior corporate brand, marketing, advertising, public relations and philanthropy executive or consultant with AT&T, American Airlines, Carnival Corporation, HP, and Pacific Gas & Electric. Managed large high-performance global teams in more than 40 countries with $1B+ aggregate budget. Forged dozens of critical business partnerships and developed game-changing brand and community positioning strategies that maximized reward and minimized risk, including American Airlines re-branding and ground-breaking DEI corporate philanthropic strategy. Served on more than a dozen major nonprofit boards.
Experienced entertainment executive. Responsible as a senior corporate advertising executive for several major motion picture partnerships, including Up in the Air with George Clooney and The Bourne Legacy with Jeremy Renner, as well as network TV specials, including Q’Viva with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. Executive Producer of award-winning dramatic film The Standoff at Sparrow Creek. Currently Executive Producer of three feature-length films: Montserrat, Eyes of Jefferson, and My Name is Kira. Founding board member of one of the nation's largest film festival organizations.