Being raised in a tiny town teaches one the importance of initiative, hustle, creative problem solving, and appreciation for what makes rural Minnesota so special.
A true connector, Shari’s passion lies in bringing people together to do doing meaningful, fulfilling work that starts ripples of good. She brings over 20 years of business driving results to the office. Marketing strategy, project management and communications are her strengths, and she excels at leading cross functional groups to find common ground and overcome obstacles.
Shari currently serves on Duluth Public Arts Commission. She holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Minnesota Duluth and lives in Duluth with her family and 2 dogs, with whom she spends as much time outdoors as possible.
Riki has worked in the Film and Broadcast Industry for her entire career. She opened the first casting company in Minnesota, “Riki Wuolle Casting Company”, where Purple Rain was the first feature she cast. Since then, she has cast approximately 20 feature films. She won a Clio Award for a self-promotion piece she did with The Fallon Agency in Minneapolis for her company.
McManus was part of a group of founders for a Film Office in Minnesota. She has served as past President as well as Interim Director of the organization.
McManus was an integral part of bringing the Catalyst Festival to Duluth, as well as the Duluth Superior Film Festival.
She has been listed in the Who’s Who for Women in MN. She has served on the Board of Directors for several organizations including the Variety Club Heart Hospital in Minneapolis, the Duluth Playhouse, Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, VisitDuluth, Northeast Regional Sustainable Development through the University of MN, Northern Film Alliance, as well as the Minnesota Film Alliance
Carrie’s enduring passion lies in crafting narratives that amplify the voices of underrepresented and marginalized communities worldwide. This commitment has shaped her professional aspirations and educational pursuits. She holds an undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology and American Indian Studies and recently earned a Master of Public Affairs from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota.
With two decades of experience in the film and commercial sectors, Carrie has collaborated on projects across the globe as a director, producer, and assistant director, encompassing both narrative and documentary formats.
As the Program & Development Director at the Upper Midwest Film Office and a long-time board member of MN Women in Film and Television, Carrie leverages her extensive experience to foster and grow an inclusive and sustainable film industry in Minnesota.
Carrie enjoys enjoys biking, paddle boarding, camping, going on new adventures, and reading and enhancing new recipes for her friends and family.
A native of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Matt is a northern Minnesota based producer, actor, director. Projects include I Am Not a Serial Killer, Wilson, In An Instant, Mogadishu, Minnesota, and Bough Brothers. As a producer, Nina Of The Woods, A Badlands Girl, Sanctified, and Terms and Conditions. Dedicated to the development of the film ecosystem in Northern Minnesota, Matt has been a driving force. As a co-founder and head of production at Lost Forty Studios, and the Workforce Development Coordinator at the Upper Midwest Film Office, Matt actively spearheads the creation and ongoing development of hands-on crew education, to ensure the growth and sustainability of the film industry in the region. Matt lives in Grand Rapids, Minnesota with his son and daughter.
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