Join us for a workshop on how we build local filmmaking careers.
Cans Film Festival board President Tran Hoang Calvin will begin with a presentation, then moderate a panel discussion and Q&A with local filmmakers.
Trần Hoàng Calvin is an independent director and producer from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in film and television production and has over a decade of industry experience with credits from ABC News, VICE Media, DECON-Mass Appeal, the Moving Picture Institute and Anonymous Content. Trần is the founder of NODEHAUS Media, an impact studio
Trần's work focuses on stories with deep impact on major social and political issues and his directorial and production credits include "A Clean Slate" (Cleveland International, BronzeLens), “Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up” (IndyShorts) and "Rainbow Rider" (MountainFilm, Sidewalk). Upcoming projects include “Rock The Boat,” a documentary about comedians from across America’s political division as well as a feature film expansion of the “Rainbow Rider” short documentary.
Sara Fletcher is a versatile actor, filmmaker, writer, producer, and host whose career spans television, film, digital series, and branded content. She first broke out with a starring role in Comedy Central’s Secret Girlfriend and has since built an expansive body of work that includes series regular roles, guest appearances, and lead performances across both television and film.
While originally from the mid-west, she lived in Los Angeles for most of her career, and with that Fletcher brings a deep understanding of the entertainment community and the collaborative nature of the industry. That experience has helped shape her work both in front of and behind the camera, giving her a strong perspective on storytelling, production, and audience engagement.
Behind the camera, Fletcher has established herself as a creative producer and writer. She produced, wrote, and hosted 50 episodes of The Meaty Grind for Fremantle Media’s Atomic Wedgie, helped create the award-winning web series Brooding, and cowrote and produced the festival-acclaimed short The Girl in the Green Dress with Leah McKendrick. Her producing work also includes Strange Frequencies, her first feature film, produced in Grand Rapids last year.
Some of Fletcher’s acting credits include the CBS pilot Hitched, Sony/Lifetime’s Escaping the NXIVM Cult, the crossover episode of 9-1-1 and The Bachelor on ABC, and guest roles on Perfect Couples, Friends with Benefits, Grimm, and NCIS: LA. Her film work includes The Hammer, Lost in Love, and Minutes to Midnight, as well as recent acting roles in a rom-com shot in Finland and a 1970s biopic which just wrapped filming in Los Angeles.
She also hosts the branded show Garage 360 and serves as the spokesperson for Jordan’s Furniture in the New England area, extending her on-camera presence across entertainment and commercial storytelling. Most recently, The Daemon reached the number one movie spot on Screambox for four consecutive weeks, further underscoring her growing profile in genre projects.
Fletcher lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, two kids, and dog, and keeps busy producing short-form content while staying active as an actor — a full house, a full slate, and, presumably, not much quiet.
William H. Baker is an indie filmmaker from Michigan, sharing real-world lighting and filmmaking experiments that show creators how cinematic storytelling can start at home.
Known on social media for his shot breakdown and recreation videos, Baker has amassed more than 700,000 followers across his Instagram (@william.h.baker), TikTok (@william.h.baker) and YouTube (@WilliamHBaker) channels, with his Best Picture Nominees recreation video at more than 900,000 views and counting.
Matt Cunningham is the founder of Groovy Monsters, a creative studio where filmmaking, monsters, practical effects, and original worlds come to life. As a writer, director, producer, and creative storyteller, his work spans feature films, television, commercials, publishing, and original entertainment—blending horror, comedy, science fiction, and adventure into unforgettable stories filled with larger-than-life characters. Founded on the belief that practical craftsmanship and bold storytelling never go out of style, Groovy Monsters creates unforgettable characters and cinematic experiences for audiences, brands, and collaborators who aren’t afraid to embrace the strange.
Before stepping behind the camera, Matt built his career in Hollywood’s practical effects industry, contributing to productions including Starship Troopers, The Predator, Alien Resurrection, Scream 2, The Tick, Sliders, and America’s Funniest Home Videos. That hands-on experience creating creatures and cinematic illusions continues to shape the handcrafted style and visual imagination that define his work today.
Matt is the writer and director of The Spore (Lionsgate) and 3 Demons (Tubi), co-creator of the cult horror-comedy Decampitated (Troma), and director of Mangler Reborn (Lionsgate). Known for transforming ambitious ideas into memorable films, he writes, directs, produces, and edits his own projects—bringing together practical effects, cinematic spectacle, dark humor, and an unmistakable independent spirit.
Beyond feature films, Matt has directed and produced documentary and television programming, including Ancient Aliens, America’s Book of Secrets, and Secret Societies of Hollywood. Through Groovy Monsters, he develops commercials, branded entertainment, original series, and digital content that combine cinematic craftsmanship with imaginative storytelling. He is also a published children’s book author, creator of the YouTube channel Red Tower & Monster Myth, and former longtime columnist for Famous Monsters of Filmland, where he has interviewed many of the biggest names in science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Whether developing creature-filled commercials, directing genre films, or inventing entirely new worlds, Matt believes the best stories spark wonder, celebrate imagination, and leave audiences smiling long after the credits roll.