The Sugarbush Hill Team

Get to know a little about our co-founders, along with maybe a fun fact about them as well.

  • Michelle is a Wiyot and Latina filmmaker who grew up on the Table Bluff Reservation, where she found her love for filmmaking. She has a Masters in Film and Electronic Media at American University in Washington, D.C. and a B.A. at Humboldt State in both Film and Native American Studies. Michelle most recently participated as a fellow for the 2nd Annual Native American Writer’s Seminar. She’s also a past fellow for 3rd Annual Native American Animation Lab with her script Edgar and His New Friend. Additionally, she won the Horizon Award at the 2019 LA Skins Fest and the April 2021 Showcase Cinema Femme Womxn to Womxn in Film Mentorship Program with her film Douk. Most importantly, she has a passion for cryptozoology, which she’ll spring on you if you don’t pay attention to how the conversation is going.

  • Richie Wenzler received his MFA in Film and Electronic Media at American University and earned a double B.A. in Telecommunications and Communications & Culture at Indiana University. Currently living in the Los Angeles area, Richie primarily does freelance editing work, where he does an assortment of projects from music videos to narrative shorts, while also honing in his abilities making vlogs. Somewhat of an introvert, his biggest claim to fame was appearing in a Buzzfeed video, where people didn’t get the joke he was making.