Meet the Directors
Jonna Leanne >> Festival Director
Jonna Leanne is the Artistic Director and creator of blueprint. After returning to Atlanta seven years ago, she immersed herself in professional TV/Film acting and began her improv journey. She fell in love with the festival world while volunteering at the Toronto International Film Festival and has a deep connection to Windmill Arts, where she stage-managed Closer the Play and worked with Sam. It was fate when she brought the idea of a shorts festival to engage local directors and actors to Sam 3 years later. Fast forward to present day, where together they read over 800+ play and film submissions and made the impossible decision of choosing 10 for the 2026 festival. It truly is a dream to watch blueprint thrive in its second year, and we can't wait to see it continue to grow!
Jonna is a graduate of the Second City Training Center’s Toronto Conservatory Program and holds a Master’s in Education with an emphasis in Professional Counseling from the University of West Georgia. Jonna will graduate in May 2026 with a MS in international business from Georgia State University. With a passion for production management, problem-solving, and creating memorable experiences, she thrives on bringing ideas to life — whether through festivals, film, or travel.
Sam R Ross >> Windmill Arts Production, Executive Director
A member of both Actors' Equity Association and Screen Actor's Guild, Sam has over fifty years of experience in theatre including Off Broadway, Regional Theaters and other professional theaters from New York to Los Angeles. Sam has been seen in over 110 productions including many world and regional premieres. Sam has also appeared in over a dozen film and TV shows. As a playwright his adaptations and co-adaptations with VanguardRep have been seen across the country. Sam is also an award-winning director and lighting designer of over .
As an artistic director, Sam has been integral in the foundation of multiple successful companies including Down Right Theatre in Atlanta, GA, Kudzu Productions and Vanguard Repertory Company - both in Los Angeles, CA. He is the founder and Executive Director of Windmill Arts.
Sam has a B.S. from the college of Charleston and an M.P.A. from Georgia State University and has done graduate work in acting at the prestigious Trinity Repertory Conservatory in Rhode Island.
photo by Emily Lambert Photography