AJ Tesler - Executive Director

After graduating from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and a Theatre major, AJ stayed in Chicago where he formed the small production company Goldingeye Productions, an early effort in web entertainment. After achieving moderate success and producing tens of short films, AJ relocated to New York City where he worked as a New Media Analyst for d2 Capital, a hedge fund that invests primarily in technology companies. By day AJ would pour over notes and records in search of new entertainment channels, while at night AJ was a stand up comedian. In his spare time he developed web pages and marketing plans for actors and musicians seeking to legitimize their careers. Armed with extensive knowledge of the future of entertainment and the marketing wherewithal to utilize that knowledge, Tesler moved to Los Angeles, CA. While there he immediately found success as an actor, appearing on television shows such as It's All Relative and The Gilmore Girls. As much as he enjoys acting, AJ has always been drawn to produce and in the summer of 2002, he produced the first of an almost 50 installations of the New and Improv-Ed Stand Up Show, an official selection of the Chicago Improv Festival as well as the 2004 and 2005 Los Angeles Improv Festivals. Off the heels of these moderate successes, AJ returned to the short film arena tackling almost 25 short films in the course of the next year and a half. Some of those short films were even good. In the meanwhile, Tesler enjoyed writing and dreaming about television shows that would be far better than the current offerings. When he realized he wasn't the only one with these visions of grandeur, he began to formulate the idea of giving everyone the opportunity to screen and showcase their television ideas to industry professionals. In 2004, AJ began producing television pilots both independently, on spec, and with production company support. AJ enjoyed the autonomy of the independent system almost as much as the ease and freedom that the production and networks allow. In his capacity as New Media Analyst for D Squared he recognized the trend towards internet distribution for film, but also recognized the lack thereof for television. It is with all of this information that in 2005, AJ formed the Independent Television Festival Corporation, a non profit, public benefit corporation dedicated to granting independent producers the opportunity to screen and showcase their independently produced original television pilots. In 2008, AJ was hired to be the Manager of Development for Lion Television, a UK based development and production company. He presently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two dogs.

Jenny Starnes - Festival Director

While attending Baylor University, Jenny Starnes took on three internships during her college career: Television News as a Producer, Radio Broadcasting as a DJ and Public Relations as a Newspaper Editor. Within two months of her internship at ABC's Waco affiliate Jenny was hired as a full time editor and part time Sunday morning news producer. After graduating from Baylor University Jenny moved from Texas to Los Angeles to pursue her career in the TV/Film Industry. After working in a variety of fields in the TV/Film Industry, Jenny began her study of improvisation. For the past seven years she has studied with Second City Theater, the Groundlings Theater and the Upright Citizens Brigade to enhance her skills as a writer and a comedic performer. She has been creating, producing and writing television pilots, web content and festival films for the past six years. She also was just a finalist in a Screenwriting Competition for her Short Film script The Gallery, the first drama she has written. With her knowledge of improvisation, TV/Film Production and Marketing, Jenny is excited to be a part of the progressive television and new media movement.

Cherilyn Lytle - Director of Operations

Cher Lytle has worked in post production and development for over 4 years. Her organizational expertise brought her to ITVFest where she serves as the Director Of Operations.