Who We Are
Our Mission
To connect local filmmakers so that they may learn, grow and create together.
Governance
518 Film Network is dedicated to community and transparency, as such we have provided the below links to our board and governance documents to show this commitment
Spencer Sherry - President
Our Board
Originally from Laurens, NY, Spencer found himself putting roots down in the Capital Region of New York starting in 2012 with a one-year long stint at The College of Saint Rose. After trying out a few other schools, he decided to trade in higher education to pursue film after being given an opportunity to work as a production assistant in NYC. After working on big-budget productions for a year, he moved back upstate - seeking out a community that better supported his ambitions. Thanks to a relentlessly encouraging environment, in 2023 he became the first person to adapt Stephen King’s short story “The Monkey” into a film. His current interests lie mainly in producing and helping the local film scene thrive, but he suspects it’s only a matter of time before the writing/directing bug comes back. He currently works at Saratoga Arts as their Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator, lives just outside Saratoga Springs with his partner Lauren, and spends his free time designing immersive events, building patios, and making hot sauce.
He likes films that take risks, explore heavy themes with dark humor, and have tight storytelling.
As a result, his favorite film is “In Bruges”.
Arielle Steele (she/her) is a local writer, filmmaker, and financial analyst at Ayco-Goldman Sachs. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at Williams College in 2016, she returned to the Capital Region to work with the City School District of Albany. During her tenure there she rediscovered her love of film and volunteered with YouthFX, a local non-profit organization dedicated to the filmmaking education of youth aged 13-24. She has produced 2 independent short films and a music video for an emerging artist in Brooklyn, NY. Recently she worked with Executive Director of the Palace Theater, Kevin Johnson and Patrick Harris of Collective Effort as Festival Coordinator of the inaugural Renaissance Black Film Festival, which screened local and international short and feature length narrative films and documentaries. She has been a member of 518 Film Network since 2021 and has decided to take on a more dedicated role as a board member. When she is not working on a film set or in an office, you can find her in a West African dance class or a Beyoncé concert. Her current favorite film is “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once”.
Arielle Steele - Vice President
Patrick Regan - Treasurer
Patrick has a BS in education from Niagara University, and was accepted into the 2019 Summer Program from the NY Film Academy on Filmmaking. He moved to the Capital District in 1986 - following friends who had previously moved into the area. Over the years, they have all moved away while he grew roots here and established long-standing friendships with others. Local projects he has been involved with: The Monkey (Associate Producer and Actor), Second Coming (Executive Producer), Break Glass (Actor), Middletown (Actor), Dead Man’s Party (Actor), Shoplifters of the World (Background), Gilded Age (Background), Billions (Background). Besides his role with the 518 FN, he is also a member of the Mad Angel Films Advisory Council – helping them maneuver their way through the pitfalls of establishing a production company in Utica. He derives personal fulfillment from expanding his world whenever he can – we only grow at the boundaries of our experience. When he’s not involved in 518FN activities, he spends his time writing, coaching & training in CrossFit & Karate, planning travel adventures, painting, playing with photography, reading, and contemplating the meaning of life. He could not choose just one favorite, but films he loves are “The Princess Bride”, “Reservoir Dogs”, and “Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead”.
Lauren fell in love with the Capital Region during the early days of COVID and decided to make this beautiful landscape her home in late 2020. Film production secured a special place in Lauren’s heart after creating several short projects at Northeastern University where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies. She is also an ICF (International Coach Federation) Certified Professional Coach. Lauren spent the last 15 years growing a diverse and fulfilling career in HR, Learning & Development, and Coaching, and currently works at GlobalFoundries leading their Learning & Leadership Development programming. In the local film community, Lauren has worked with filmmakers, industry professionals and actors to help them find purpose and feel empowered in their work. One of her greatest passions is bringing communities together to share unique and fulfilling experiences. When not working with the 518 you can find her tackling a home improvement project, taking a barre class, making breakfast for friends and family, smooching her 11 year old Bulldog Bibbs, or going on an adventure with her partner Spener. Lauren enjoys films that enable her to experience the full spectrum of human emotions. Some of her favorite films are “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Best in Show.”
Lauren Leddy - Secretary
Ember AutumnSkye
Ember AutumnSkye is a filmmaker born and raised in upstate New York. Recipient of an UPWIFT scholarship in 2016, Ember was able to pursue a degree in Digital Media at HVCC and continued school at SUNY Purchase in 2020 for a degree in Cinema Studies and Film. Her work commonly expresses themes of coming of age and advocating for human rights; which is evident in her award winning short film,“You’re So Shy.” Currently she is a board member of the 518 Film Network where she is working to further her love of filmmaking and community to see stories come to life while uplifting other artists. Ember has found the capital region to be an inspiring home, and though 2020 may have been the catalyst to move back, she found it easy to stay when finding a flourishing community of filmmakers in the local area. With the 518 film network, she found her home and safety in the art world, and getting involved seemed to be a perfect opportunity to cherish her passion and fulfillment in helping others. Some projects and films she takes great pride in being involved with are, “The Monkey,” “The Fledgling,” “The Gilded Age,” and “When You’re Gone,” just to name a few. Working in an array of roles from AD , PA, to Art Dept and Actor, she is always ready to be a part of a film and help a vision come to fruition. When found not on set or working, Ember is enjoying yoga, writing, modeling, and being in nature.
Michelle Polacinski is a film producer and director based in Troy, NY with over 12 years of experience in the film industry. She is local to the region and originally grew up in New Lebanon, NY. She lived and worked in Los Angeles, Prague, and New York City before coming back to the area to stay. She is the original founder of 518 Film Network and served as the first ever President / Executive Director. Michelle is currently a voting member of the board. Michelle's professional credits include production management, casting, and visual effects work for The Food Network, Shark Tank, Modern Marvels, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, John Wick 4, and the Sundance film Resurrection (shot on location in Albany) to name a few. She was a producer on feature documentaries Floxed and COVID POV as well as various short films, including Victoria Diana's Second Coming. She's a certified herbalist, end of life doula, and experienced community facilitator. Michelle is passionate about changing the film industry into a less toxic work environment focusing more on collaboration and intimate relationships. Her favorite part of 518 Film Network is creating funky networking events that push people out of their comfort zone. Her favorite film is “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”.
Michelle Polacinski
Micah Khan
Micah Khan is a Pakistani-American filmmaker who has directed and produced over 30 short films. He recently finished The Zombie Wedding, the first feature film, to launch the Weekly World News IP-driven studio slate. The 21-person ensemble cast includes Cheri Oteri, Seth Gilliam, Heather Matarazzo, Kevin Chamberlin, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Vincent Pastore, Ajay Naidu, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, and many more! His latest short film, Meetcute On Danceworld, was featured on MovieMaker Magazine, tweeted by Ben Stiller to his 5.4 million followers, and David Benioff of HBO’s Game of Thrones said of it “Never seen anything quite like it before. I was smiling the whole way through. It’s fresh, original and it kicks ass.” Before that, his action short film, Safe House, was the winner of Robert Rodriguez's People's Network Showcase Contest and premiered on El Rey Network. Micah was mentored by Scott Reynolds(Dexter) in the esteemed writers’ program, Mentorship Matters. Micah was recently featured as number one on Deadline Hollywood for Coverfly’s Best Unproduced Projects of 2023 list. His favorite films are “Pride and Prejudice”, “Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers”, “Kingdom of Heaven” (Director’s Cut), and “Lagaan: Once Upon A Time in India”.
Lakota Ruby-Eck
Lakota Ruby-Eck (He/Him) is a filmmaker born and raised in Albany, New York and the Cinematographer/Owner of Tomb Pictures, a locally based production company. Once receiving an associates degree in Broadcast Communications, he linked up with a group of local filmmakers and learned the basics of filmmaking before striking out on his own as an assistant cameraman, working both locally and traveling out of state. In the decade since that he has shifted from role to role on set before settling on cinematographer, having shot countless projects in that time covering a wide range of genres and topics. He has been a dedicated member of the 518 Film Network since it’s inception, being one of the first to join it’s ranks and now sits as a member of the board, helping oversee the Membership Committee. His favorite types of films are ones that blend genres and rely heavily on either vibe or quiet reflection, and the horror genre as a whole. His favorite film is Panos Cosmatos’s color soaked nightmare, “Mandy”.
