Cucalorus Staff
Alex Toribio, Marketing Manager (she/her/hers)
Alex Toribio is the Marketing Manager for Cucalorus. She graduated from Towson University in 2017 with a degree in Public Relations. She has worked a wide range of jobs from Social Media Manager, Video Editor, PE Teacher, and Dance Instructor. She is an active singer/songwriter, who plays gigs around the community. She loves dancing, thrifting, camping, going to music concerts and hanging with her family.
Anna Hogelin, Communications Manager (she/her/hers)
Anna is the Communications Manager for the Cucalorus Film Foundation. Originally from Alabama, Anna graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in theatre and a double minor in art history and religious studies. She moved to Wilmington in 2006 to work in the local film industry, working in casting and then serving as the head of wardrobe for various TV shows and independent films. After working on several film projects, Anna transitioned into the publishing industry, working for over a decade as a copywriter, copy editor and content creator. When she’s not working, you can find Anna devoting her time to planning events like the New Hanover County Public Library’s annual Fiction 2 Fashion show for teens, substitute teaching at GLOW Academy or cooking every Bon Appetit recipe she can get her hands on. She loves spending time with her boyfriend, traveling, Sunday brunch with girlfriends, cooking and gardening. Random hobbies from over the years: tap dancing, fire twirling and playing the ukulele.
Annalee Decker, Graphics Specialist (she/her/hers)
Annalee is the Graphics Specialist and, sometimes, Social Media Coordinator, for the Cucalorus Film Foundation. She is currently an honors student at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington where she is majoring in film studies with a double minor in business and journalism. When not in school, Annalee works as a photographer, filmmaker, journalist and commercial whitewater raft guide. Her work is greatly inspired by adventure sports and the wild places these sports take place in. Thus far, her visual and/or written work has been featured by the International Rafting Federation, Rafting Magazine, NorthWest Rafting Company, Canon USA, and the Ansel Adams Trust. In her spare time, Annalee enjoys long-distance running, any activity involving a paddle or surfboard, and drinking far too much funky coffee.
CB Johnson, Operations Manager (he/him/his)
CB is the Operations Manager for Cucalorus and oversees the volunteer, Pop-Up and Drive-In Cinema programs as well as other operational, behind-the-scenes aspects of the Cucalorus Festival. CB began working at Cucalorus in 2017, and when he’s not setting up, striking or managing venues and productions, CB is an active musician and songwriter, performing and recording in Wilmington, NC and the southeastern US. CB earned a BS of Naval Architecture from the US Naval Academy. He has learned live event production through experience, his service as a US Marine (the school of hard knocks and busted knuckles), and his work as a local REALTOR (currently with the Property Shop International Realty). In his spare time, CB enjoys hanging out with his kids, surfing, yoga, exploring the universal field of awareness, and practicing telepathy.
Dan Brawley, Chief Instigating Officer (he/him/his)
Dan Brawley is the Chief Instigating Officer of the Cucalorus Festival, an international celebration of filmmaking, performance and creativity in Wilmington, North Carolina founded in 1994 by Twinkle Doon. Cucalorus screens more than 150 films with a range of multi-disciplinary programs focusing on dance, social justice, horror, southern documentaries, and performance. Cucalorus was one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World, 2022” according to MovieMaker Magazine. Brawley was the founding President of the Film Festival Alliance, an independent non-profit organization that develops and fosters collaboration among mission-driven film festivals around the world. Brawley was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, attended New Hanover High School, and graduated cum laude from Duke University. When he’s not watching your movie, he’s either walking his dog Izzie or surfing on the South End of Wrightsville Beach.
Meghan Cook, Programming Coordinator (she/her/hers)
After getting her start as the Box Office Coordinator for the 28th annual Cucalorus Film Festival, Meghan joined the team as the Programming Coordinator. In addition to working seasonally at Sundance Film Festival and the Reykjavik International Film Festival, Meghan is also a freelance writer. She graduated from UNCW in 2016 with a Film Studies degree, with a background in copywriting, editing, and content creation. Fun fact: Meghan dedicates her life to spreading joy and befriending dogs on the street.
Rachel Morin, Managing Director (she/her/hers)
Rachel is the Managing Director of the Cucalorus Film Foundation, overseeing the foundation’s operations and development departments. Key responsibilities include financial management, staff and volunteer development, grant writing and management, corporate and individual giving, and earned revenue cultivation. She was previously the Programming Director at Cucalorus. Rachel came to Wilmington from nonprofit arts management in Boston, where she worked at the Huntington Theatre, the Handel and Haydn Society, and Company One. Rachel received her Bachelor of Science in theatre and business from Skidmore College. She earned her Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina with a focus on nonprofit management. Rachel is also a 500-hour Yoga Alliance certified instructor and serves on the Board of Directors for Yoga Village, an organization dedicated to bringing yoga to underserved populations throughout our community.
Rebecca Walters, Artist Relations Coordinator (she/her/hers)
Rebecca is the Artist Relations Coordinator for the Cucalorus Film Foundation. She received her BFA in Filmmaking from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. As a social impact filmmaker, coordinator, and festival agent she has worked for the Sundance Institute, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Stowe Story Labs. Rebecca has experience in film production, writing screenplay coverage, choreographing for film and staged productions, and integrating the arts into elementary school curriculums. Her work has premiered at several film festivals including the Austin Film Festival, Sidewalk Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, and Ivy Film Festival to name a few. When Rebecca isn’t writing, directing or advocating for change, you can find her hiking in the mountains, or dancing on a beach somewhere!
Trish Nicholson, Sponsorship Coordinator (she/her/hers)
Trish began at Cucalorus as the Box Office Manager in 2020, and continues her work as the Sponsorship Coordinator. She’s responsible for managing relationships with donors, sponsors and patrons of the festival, and working to support the Cucalorus team to ensure a fun, creative, and memorable festival experience for all. In her past life, she was a School Counselor, holding a Master’s in Counseling from UNCG, and has always enjoyed helping and working with others. Along those same lines, her most favorite job is being a mom to her two awesome daughters. She grew up in North Carolina and has called Wilmington home for 12 years. She loves the beach vibe and life, going out to dinner, traveling, hanging with friends & family, and watching movies. One of her favorite childhood movies, and first movie experience in a theater is described below in Haiku style. If you can guess the movie, she’ll send you a postcard!
Drunken alien
Telekinetic empath
Love from outer space