Paulina Ortlieb
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Paulina Ortlieb is a Canadian filmmaker and musician with feet firmly planted in the disparate worlds of academia and punk rock. After obtaining a diploma in Fine Arts, and playing as a bassist in numerous bands to audiences in Canada, the US, and as far away as Japan, Paulina became interested in filmmaking while an undergrad at the University of Victoria. With a major in Slavic Studies and a minor in Film Studies, Paulina became inspired by the filmmakers of her mother’s native Russia (such as Andrei Tarkovsky and Dziga Vertov), as well as the stripped-down personal cinema of the Remodernist film movement. Her repertoire of student film work extends through to her Master's Degree and includes stop-motion animated films, a music video, several experimental films and a short documentary on homelessness in Victoria, BC.
Her first feature-length film, ‘Somewhere to Go: punk Victoria’, which began as her MA thesis, is about the unique punk scene of Victoria B.C. and its continuing legacy. The film features over 30 interviews with musicians from the Victoria punk scene and serves as a microcosm for broader themes of anti-corporatism, youth rebellion, art for art's sake and the integral role of music to culture, community and identity. True to her DIY roots, Paulina served as producer, director, editor, and writer of the film.
Tom Hayes
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Tom Hayes, Assistant Professor in the Film Division at Ohio University, originally hails from Vermont. He worked his way through film school in the 70’s crewing on cargo ships, and working as a drive-in projectionist. Working as a freelance media ninja on commercial productions enabled him to pursue his independent documentary projects.
Hayes’s first long form documentary focused on the experience of Cambodian refugees, from their lives in a refugee camp on the Cambodian border, through their first year of resettlement in the U.S. That film, Refugee Road, was broadcast nationwide on PBS. His interest turned from the Cambodian refugee experience to the odd situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Weathering the Israeli occupation of Lebanon, and ongoing civil strife there, he produced Native Sons: Palestinians in Exile, which Martin Sheen narrated.
Once faced with the realities of the Palestinian experience, Hayes became engaged with the issue and continued his work documenting the human and political rights situation of this human community for decades. ITVS funded his film, People and The Land, about the role of the United States during the first Palestinian Intifadah. Two Blue Lines integrates footage Hayes began gathering in 1983 up to the present.
He has served as a lecturer in the Film Division at Ohio University for several years.
Jessica Hill
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Jess is a young and upcoming New Media Artist/ Filmmaker from New Zealand. She is currently 20 years of age and holds a Media Design Degree at the Victoria University of Wellington. She works as an independent videographer collaborating with local artists and companies. In her spare time she produces her own short films and experimental work. Next year, Jess is preparing to complete a Masters of Film and Television at the Victoria College of the Arts in Melbourne.
Jess as an artist, focuses on the relationship between audio and visual media within her films. Jess particularly wants her films to “change the way people perceive the audio visual dynamic” within film as a medium.
Eric Harabadian
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Eric Harabadian has been a writer for nearly 25 years having been published in Downbeat, Music Connection, & Metro Times just to name a few. He is also an accomplished songwriter/ vocalist/ guitarist and has been the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the bands Chain Reaction and Alter Ego. Eric started his filmmaking ventures as a pre teen making animated and super 8mm short films for his family and school projects. Shortly thereafter he learned guitar and was off and running with music. In addition to the series “The Arts Uncovered”, Eric volunteered for the Michigan Television Network. Besides music, writing and filmmaking, Eric is also a public relations consultant with Media Stew Public Relations
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Elizabeth Kraker
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Elizabeth Kraker is a Freelance Videographer and Editor from New York. If something involves media, film, music, video games, animation or comics she’s tried her hand at it, always looking to broaden her skillset.
In her college days she hosted her own weekly radio show, played live events as a DJ, drew and wrote comics, and directed and wrote short student films.
She has a Bachelors Degree in Film Production with honors from Hunter College where she participated and placed in their 2014 Campus Movie Fest with her short Rememories.
Her most recent project, Mental Health in New York, was a collaboration with her sister, Jessica Kraker, an English Literature and History student at Baruch College. Their documentary highlights the history of the stigma of mental illness in New York, what changes need to be made, and what actions have been taken to increase the public’s mental health awareness.
Sara Vladic
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Prior to taking on directing feature films, Sara spent 16 years working in various departments on set. She filled roles such as: Production Office Coordinator, Production Manager, Editor & Post Supervisor, Writer & Director for commercials and live news, Talent Coordinator, Live Event Producer, and even Stunt Woman. Having hands-on experience in all these areas helps her understand the dynamics of filmmaking, and what it takes to run a crew.
Sara is a member of the Producer's Guild of America, and her directing and producing credits include: Kids' Choice Awards International Director/Producer, National Geographic Historian & Producer, Smithsonian Channel Historian & Producer, Fight or Flight Music Video Co-Producer, Good Morning America Director/Producer, NS Live News 6 (Los Angeles) Director, among others -- and she treats her PAs well.
Alec Douglas
Award-Winning Filmmaker
19 year old filmmaker Alec Douglas was born in the Bay area of California in 1997. Ever since he was little, Alec showed great interests in movies and later on was inspired by the 2011 film, Drive, to make movies on his own. Alec made short films with his friends at Liberty High School in Brentwood, California. Several of these films, such as Taking a Beating, The Awakening of lot 49 and his documentary Running for Pride, have won several awards ranging from best director, best actor/actress and best cinematography. He is currently attending Expression College in Emeryville, California.
Alec, as a filmmaker, wishes to make films that feel grounded in reality and can make people entertained l with stories that can make you feel many emotions. Pulling inspiration from his favorite films and incorporating elements from life. All while showing off the beautiful California haze he grew up in.
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Andrew Littlefield
Award-Winning Filmmaker
I was born in Lansdale Pennsylvania, a small town outside of Philadelphia in 1980. Growing up my mother would read me the classic fairy tales of The Grimm Brothers and my mind would come alive with images of a magical world. Not only was I impacted by the stories she told, but also by her profound approach on storytelling. When I entered middle school, I started to get into poetry and began writing my own work through high school. Along with stories and poetry, I also showed an interest in movies and filmmaking. I was always fascinated with the creation of making images on film from stories. With my enthusiasm for writing and filmmaking, I attended the University of Pittsburgh as a film studies/writing student in 1998. Through the University I studied the philosophy of filmmaking and English Literature. I also attended Pittsburgh Filmmakers, which is a film school connected with the University. I learned all aspects of film and video from 8mm film to editing on Final Cut Pro. For my final film project from Pittsburgh Filmmakers, I converted a short story I wrote in high school into a screenplay and directed, entitled “Deadline”. It’s a classic film noir premise with a great femme fatale character. I graduated with a degree in Film Studies and English Literature and a certificate from film school. After college, I moved to Indianapolis and worked on a documentary as a camera operator. I began writing my story “Thesis” and continued to work on other various film projects. In 2006, I moved to Chicago to expand my horizon and infiltrate myself in a bigger and better artistic city. I began writing a short screenplay entitled “Monday Morning”, an extra ordinary story of love and the little things we take for granted in relationships. I directed and produced the film in 2007 and it was completed in the spring of 2008. It premiered at Chicago International Reel Shorts Festival in September of 2008. It was also shown at The Naperville International Film Festival. It is available to watch on my IMDB page, as well as, Vimeo. In the summer of 2008 I directed and produced a documentary on the Avon Walk for breast cancer in Chicago titled "Why We Walk". In 2009 I wrote, directed, and produced by first feature length film titled "The One True Thing'. The story of a man trying to rediscover his love for writing while on a weekend getaway with his close college friends. In the summer of 2011 I wrote, directed, and produced a short film titled "Perhaps". The story of a stand up comedy over the course of one night and the realization he finds with a special person he meets at the bar. As I continue to write stories here in Chicago, the fairy tales from my childhood continue to influence my inspirational approach to storytelling while applying human emotions that exist everyday in the lives of many.
Marinah Janello
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Marinah Janello is an experimental video artist/filmmaker who works in both digital and analog mediums. Her work deals with issues of gender, race and geography through humor and creative writing. Her short films and installations have been displayed at Slamdance Film Festival, PopopStudios International Center for the Arts, The Chicago Underground Film Festival, The Boston Underground Film Festival and The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival amongst others. In addition, she won Best Experimental Film at the 2016 Shawna Shea Film Festival and has taught filmmaking and video editing courses at The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas and the Sidney Poitier Film Festival in Nassau, The Bahamas. Currently residing in Boston, MA, she works in media production at Harvard University’s Hauser Studio.
Alonso Cordoni
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Adrian Alonso Cordoni is an independent filmmaker, he was born on March 26, 1979, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is an Advertising Man but , In the past few years, founded creativebarbershop.com an independent film Project with his partner Virginia Saldaño.
The first short film of them was Greetings from Coney Island, getting some international awards with it.
Magic cobra tattoo is his second short film, in this case, a Short documentary about the owner of a tattoo shop in Brooklyn, NYC and Has been awarded in several festivals around the world. The film tells a funny stories and experiences of a group of artists located in the neighborhood of Williamsburg.
Christian Abi Abboud
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Director and cinematographer Christian Abi Abboud was born on the 13 of may 1980 in Beirut, Lebanon. In 2002, Abi Abboud obtained a diploma from the Institut d'études scéniques audiovisuelles et cinématographiques IESAV USJ in Beirut. His graduation film “ Pile ou face “ won the first prize that year.
He started in 2002 as a sound engineer for several commercials and documentaries.
In 2003 he started as an editor and 2D /3D animator for many TV commercials and music videos.
In 2005 he established his own post production company and worked with numerous local and international directors and production houses.
In 2013 Abi Abboud worked as a videographer and cinematographer for many corporate films and documentaries for UNCEF.
In late 2015, He started producing and directing his first independent documentary: “UBUNTU“.
Sachin Pillai
Award-Winning Filmmaker
I have been a film-maker over the past 10 years in Mumbai of which the first four were spent working in television, documentary, web videos and advertising. These years were spent learning on the job acquiring production skill and knowledge, as well as a thorough introduction into post production and camera technology.
Over the past five or so years as a freelancer, I have been involved in documentaries, short films, music videos and advertising fulfilling roles across the board as DOP, Director and Editor. My own practice is mainly in music videos and experimental film and video installations, where the process becomes personal and I fulfill all roles in the image-making process.
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Karen Gall
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Karen is a multi-award winning creative professional filmmaker and entrepreneur with a highly successful career spanning over 15 years in the film and television industry including background qualifications and skills in advertising, multimedia, graphic arts plus website design. This track record has led to her judging as well as attending the Australian Academy of Cinema Television Arts (AACTA/AFI) international awards in Los Angeles, as a grand craft juror. Working in Australian film and commercial television on internationally acclaimed productions has further enabled her to develop experience worldwide including working for Fox Studios, the US, UK, Europe, Hawaii, Asia-Pacific region and Andrew Denton’s production company 'Zapruder’s Other Films'.
In the United States she won 'Best Feature Documentary’ in the Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival, NewFilmmakers NY, Spotlight Documentary awards, Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema official selection with the following nominations in California: Best Documentary, Best Director, Mary Austin Excellence awards for Directing, Producing & Editing, Independant Spirit award and International Film Competition Festival (IFCOM), Global Accolade, Impact Docs, IndieFEST, Best Shorts awards. Additionally, she was recently nominated for Australian of the Year, Telstra Business Women’s awards and the World Humanitarian & Peace Awards.
Her current focus is on producing independent films with associated social media campaigns. Pursuits outside work include contributing towards philanthropic causes. As a highly accomplished artist and musician with an ongoing interest in wildlife rescue and astronomy, a posting with the Australian Embassy overseas and exposure to diplomatic life inspired a wide range of activities including mentorship of young people with a natural passion for human rights activism. The most rewarding part of the journey is definitely 'the people that you meet when you're walking down the street.’
2016 AWARD-WINNING documentary
FILMMAKERS in the spotlight
Joe Diamand
Award-Winning Filmmaker
The IBUR Connection is Joe Diamand's directorial debut and is the first product of Joe's production company, digitoa STUDIOS. Joe started digiota in 2009 after the market crashed while he was working as a systems analyst for a NYC day trading company.
Joe previously starred, produced, and wrote the screenplay for a campy Martial Arts film called Miami Connection. Miami Connection bombed at the box office and quickly faded into obscurity. In 2012, it was rediscovered by Drafthouse Films and made a successful comeback on the midnight movie circuit. Joe became involved with Miami Connection because of his Martial Arts background and holds an advanced degree in TaeKwon-Do from his martial arts teacher, GrandMaster YK Kim, the star of Miami Connection.
In between Miami Connection and The IBUR Connection Joe had a successful career as a computer scientist, working on technologies such as 3D graphics and video compression, in addition to developing financial applications for Wall Street firms. While managing the development team at a high tech telecommunications company in San Diego, Joe led the software engineering effort for a number of groundbreaking technologies, including cable modems, H.264 video compression, streaming media, video on smart phones, and so on.
Brent Deal
Award-Winning Filmmaker
If Warren Miller and Bruce Brown had an illegitimate love child, without a doubt that child would be filmmaker Brent Deal. Winner of the prestigious SUP Movie of the Year award 3 times for his films H2indO, H2mexicO and Chasing Gold; Brent Deal has secured his place in history as THE filmmaker of Stand Up Paddling films. Brent’s style is storytelling and humor, which is why he is so often compared to Directing legends Warren Miller and Bruce Brown.
The Award-Winning Chasing Gold can be found on ITunes here.
Marco Ortega
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Marco Ortega has more than ten years experience in broadcast television production and filmmaking.
He received his B.A. in Film Production at the University of Houston and is a television director at Bandera Road CityChurch in San Antonio, TX. Ortega is an amateur home-brewer and craft beer advocate. BREWED IN THE 210 is his documentary feature debut.
BREWED IN THE 210 highlights San Antonio area brewers and local businesses, who have contributed to the growth and revival of handcrafted beer deep in the heart of Texas. Local brewers tell their stories, share their passion, and illustrate how craft beer has made an impact on the community of San Antonio.
Elia Youssef
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Elia Youssef, a Lebanese filmmaker born in Beirut in 1986, completed his studies in filmmaking and has attended many film workshops around the world.
Elia began his journey by working on a mix of projects including music videos, Tv commercials, television shows and documentaries. He has over 10 years experience.
Working in many different areas of the world, Elia likes to work on different kinds of projects as he broadens his horizons by meeting and working with new cultures and setting out on new adventures. His latest feature film won him a gold award and he currently has a few more works in the making.
Being passionate about sports, traveling the world and life in general, Elia’s ambition and talent is making him soar through to higher levels of success.
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Michael Magee
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Michael Magee graduated in film at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California in 1982. Throughout his career he has worked in the US and Europe as a freelance director of documentaries and corporate films. In1993 he founded the company Michael Magee Productions in Switzerland, specializing in films for international clients such as Swissair, IWC Watch Co., Swiss Tourism, Holcim and others. During this time he has won several awards to give an example for the Swiss Tourism in Carlsbad, Czech Republic. Since 2011 the filmmaker has mainly focused on the production of documentaries especially people portraits, which is his true passion.
Justin Toppins
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Justin is a Tennessee native who has spent time in Los Angeles prior to making his debut as a filmmaker. His primary focus is to create projects that give a voice to those others might silence.
His Award-Winning documentary, Irreclaimable, centers on film crew of two travels the southeastern United States to find out the truth about modern slavery, the role violence in sex work, and in the process learn its deeply entrenched history in western culture.
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Gemma O'Doherty
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Gemma O'Doherty is a multi award-winning journalist from Dublin.
Former Chief Features Writer with the Irish Independent, she was Campaigning Journalist of the Year in Ireland for stories about asylum seekers and public water safety. She has also received a national journalism award for her work on groundbreaking new cancer treatments, and was also nominated for national Crime Journalist of the Year.
In 2012, her investigation into the murder of Irish priest Fr Niall Molloy led to the reopening of the case and its description in the Dail (Irish parliament) as the biggest cover-up in the history of the state. It is one of numerous cases of murder cover-up and police corruption she has exposed in Ireland.
In 2013, she revealed that the chief of police in Ireland had a speeding ticket wiped, a story which led to her firing after almost 20 years at the Irish Independent. She successfully sued her former company. The former police chief subsequently resigned in disgrace.
An active press freedom advocate, she has left the newspaper world behind today and is making documentaries. Her first film tells the story of Mary Boyle - Ireland's longest and youngest missing person who vanished on her grandparents' farm in 1977. The documentary, which has had almost a quarter of a million views on YouTube since its release in July 2016, brought about a new police review and ignited a national justice campaign for the little girl.
Jennifer W. Stein
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Jennifer W. Stein is a self-taught filmmaker who never went to film school. She is an entrepreneur who started making films in the 1990’s while running non-profit organizations, raising her two children, and running a special events business.
Harnessing the power of the moving visual image to educate, inspire and empower, Jennifer uses film to help achieve her goals: to further important causes, opening awareness to important issues, with an appreciation of the UFO phenomena & ancient archaeology. The result: a powerful combination of community leadership and purposeful film making. Jennifer collaborates with other filmmakers and learns from them. Please browse her portfolio projects, the most recent:”Travis Walton – the True Story“.
Jennifer currently works as an independent documentary film maker. She works to bring personal stories and unique information to the public that that would not be covered by main stream media.
Jennifer film web site is Onwinges Productions provides an over view in more depth of her past productions and award winning documentary films. Jennifer W. Stein and co producer Bob Terrio won two EBE awards at the Open Minds film festival in Scottsdale, AZ February 28, 2015. This was Jennifer’s 4th EBE award.
“Travis” is a 90-minute documentary film recounting the now world- famous 1975 UFO abduction of Travis Walton and the impact it has had on his and on the lives of others who were also involved. You can view the trailer here
Watch a January, 2015 interview that executive producer Jennifer Stein made with Ron James, founder of Ivolve TV, a new online streaming program that addresses some of the bigger questions facing humanity.
Travis premiered at the 2015 International UFO Congress Film Festival in Scottsdale, AZ where it swept the ‘EBE’ Awards for Best Long Documentary film and the People’s Choice Award. For more information please visit TravisWaltonTheMovie.com. Screening requests can be sent to Jennifer W. Stein, here.
Jeffrey Scott Gould
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Jeffrey Scott Gould, Executive Producer, Director, Cinematographer and Editor of "Quiet Please..." has been producing award-winning videos and films for over 25 years. Regardless of genre: medical, educational, marketing videos or documentaries, Jeffrey’s skills for visual storytelling are infused into all of his projects. Several years ago, Jeffrey got involved in Indie Film with such credits as Executive Producer, Cinematographer and Editor and Sound Designer, that resulted in two award-winning narrative short films. It was with this combined experience that he pursued his dream of producing a documentary on a subject close to his heart; Misophonia, which literally translated means “Hatred of Sound”.
Jeffrey says, "I feel I have something that I can contribute...something that could make a difference; especially since it has been a part of my life for 48 years. It’s only been a few years since I learned that such a condition actually exists and it was cathartic to know that I wasn't alone. I felt empowered and as I began educating those around me, I saw a change; an understanding and a willingness to help me cope with this life-altering condition...I decided to use my skills as a filmmaker, to explore the emotional and psychological impact on not only the sufferer’s lives, but on their loved ones as well.”
Since the fulfillment to over 500 contributors on IndieGoGo, Jeffrey has received emails from around the world commending and thanking him for producing the film; couples have written that the film actually saved their relationships, parents have a better understanding of their children who suffer from Misophonia, and sufferers themselves feel a sense of empowerment and community.
“The experience of producing the film, added to the positive feedback, have made this project the single most important thing I have ever done and no experience will ever come close to matching it”. -Jeffrey Scott Gould
Melissa Hoban
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Whilst at Edinburgh University I became involved with FilmSoc where I began making films. I started making films based on my travels, mainly of things I had done and people I had met. It was whilst talking to these people that I realised my interest lay in human stories. When I returned I used my interest (and career) in psychology to create my first short documentary. I work freelance, interviewing for film magazines and working on independent projects with fellow peers who are just starting out like me. I also work in mental health, on a CAMHS ward in London - where I get my inspiration, motivation and understanding of the many different ways we humans think, feel, act and behave.
MARGARET COSTA
Award-Winning Filmmaker
I have been in the production business for over 3o years. I specialize in both video and film production. I have a BA in English from College of the Holy Cross and an MS in communications with a concentrate on production from Brooklyn College. I spent my first 10 years after college working at CBS, Inc. I have worked for many key clients. I am also the recipient of several awards for broadcast excellence.While I have been a producer/director for over 30 years, My Name is Joan is my first documentary. I feel very strongly about this topic and hope the victims of the mother and baby homes finally get justice for what they have endured.
Germaine McCormack-Kos
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Germaine McCormack-Kós’ love for the arts has propelled her to spend most of her life creating in film, music, art, and children’s opera around the world.
Her film career started way back when London was still swinging, working in script development for Hollywood producer Sam Spiegel at Horizon Pictures, and collaborating with Laslo Benedek (“The Wild One”) on film projects. She then worked for producer Peter Watkins (“The War Game”), and directors Robert Young (“Jane Eyre”), and Ken Annakin (“Battle of the Bulge”). She was the Executive Producer of “Black Water” for Prodigy Movies, and also made short documentaries, including “Why This War.”
She founded Dublin Children’s Opera, the first children’s opera company in Dublin, and produced two original operas. Renowned composer George Fenton (“Gandhi,” “Dangerous Liaisons”) composed one of these operas and is the composer for her documentary. In the mid 90’s, she was on the team that launched Women In Film in Cannes.
When not working on film or opera projects, she is painting, mostly in oils. She has represented Ireland at International Art Exhibitions, and won several awards with steel sculptures.
Germaine has co-produced documentaries and has directed and produced WALK ON THE WILD SIDE, a feature documentary, ready to screen in Fall 2016. A world traveler, she currently lives in Paris.
Raquel Korman
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Raquel Korman is a 22 year-old independent filmmaker and interactive media designer. She recently graduated with honors from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, where she double majored in Film and Television Production, and Interactive Entertainment. At USC, she directed, wrote, and edited numerous short films. In addition, she served as creative director, artist, and programmer for both digital and nondigital games. Raquel has also interned at Snapchat as a media editor, and worked as a design and production intern at Electronic Arts.
Originally from Silicon Valley, California, Raquel’s passion as a filmmaker is telling human stories that demand to be told. Her first documentary, Forever Home, was produced as a USC senior thesis film and has been featured at the 2016 Heartland and Hollyshorts Film Festivals. Raquel made Forever Home to give voice to some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and raise awareness about the thousands of foster children in need of safe and loving families.
SPOTLIGHT
DOCUMENTARY
FILM AWARDS
Travis Boone
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Travis is beginning the cinema experience through multiple extreme low-budget projects with friends and the community around him, specializing in experimental documentaries and shorts with little equipment or crew. He’s had three feature documentaries premiere in Michigan, along with one experimental short which ended up winning the festival’s Audience Choice Award.
Having never attended film school, he hopes to express to young people like him exploring cinema that “it’s okay if all you have is a camcorder or an iPad, just shoot”, hoping to normalize the medium in all its forms (big or low/no budget) in order to convey important or captivating topics within modern-day society and culture from many perspectives.
Khashayar Gholami Khaljiri
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Khashayar Gholami Khaljiri was born on February 15th, 1995 in Iran-Tehran.
He started experiencing art with music. He has played the piano since and a few years after that he started learning how to play the guitar.
He moved to Hungary at the age of 17, to study medicine in the university of Debrecen.
During his studies he found out that he has a great appreciation for cinema. That's when he started working along with some independent animators and filmmakers, in the field of music.
In January 2016, he scored his first feature documentary "Brazen Bull" directed by Bahman Iranpour, which was filmed in Iran.
2016 was the year in which Khashayar had a number of live performances both in Hungary and Iran and worked with various artists and bands such as “Money for the moon”.
Right after that he felt the need to shoot a documentary named "Distorted Realities" in Iran.
Now he’s in the urge of leaving medicine for cinema.
Lisa Hagopian
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Lisa Hagopian spent many hours as a child watching movies on TV after school. What an education in film history - from 1930s gangster flicks, to Gentlemen’s Agreement to musicals and every other genre imaginable. Her mother often took Lisa to the Fisher Theater in Detroit to see the latest Broadway play. Her junior high school would screen films like The Red Bal-loon and Night and Fog every year and it was during this time that she joined the school’s film club. This all led Lisa to a life-long love of film, theater and photography. She really caught the photography bug when she took photojournalism classes at Michigan State University. Video production and film appreciation classes came later. After polishing her skills, Lisa & Eric Harabadian produced a public access TV series called "The Arts Uncovered"
Anjali de Bellefroid &
Simon McLean
Award-Winning Filmmakers
Anjali de Bellefroid
As a curious world explorer, Anjali has been fascinated by different cultures & people's experiences. She speaks English, French & Spanish. Anjali attended art school in Belgium and England where she developed her love for visual arts.
Simon McLean
Canadian born, Simon has been passionate about photography & the moving image. Simon graduated from University with a BSc. in biology. At the ripe age of 17, Simon scuba dived under the arctic ice with the Geological Survey of Canada and has been exploring ever since.
Laura Lillie
Award-Winning Filmmaker
As EP and owner of Summerhill Media Inc, Laura’s mandate is to help ideas meet opportunity. Laura creates original programming for Summerhill and also collaborates with talented independent writers, producers and directors who come through our door.
She is dedicated to a positive client experience and has over 15 years in the film and television industry. Laura has worn just about every production hat there is which helps her adapt and understand the unique demands of each client and project. Today, Laura is a solutions producer who brings a passion for story and vast production experience to every project she leads.
Patrick Gillespie
Award-Winning Filmmaker
I love good stories and I think the most amazing stories come from the experiences of real people, normal people. I find humans and their emotions, motivations and personalities fascinating. I love the way films can influence us as humans for the better. The way they can make us laugh, cry, get angry and enhance our knowledge and understanding of the world. If any of my films succeed in doing this then I’ll be happy.
I am often motivated by injustice and I believe films can be the most amazing of influences to help solve problems, to allow humans to hear what other people are going through. Giving voices to people who may not have been given the chance the shout above the crowd.
At 20 years old I’m a young filmmaker and I have a lot to learn but I can’t wait to get into this industry and begin to work with other people who want to tell stories like I do.
For a little bit of information about me; I was born and raised in the countryside of North Wales and I’m now in my last year of University at the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham, England, UK, studying a BA in Film Production. I take an interest in both narrative and Documentary films and I’m eager to see what films I’ll be able to make. I’m intrigued by social realism as a genre and I love visual imagery and aesthetically pleasing films but what is a film without a good story?
Jennifer Frappier
Award-Winning Filmmaker
Jennifer can be seen in national commercials for companies such as: Anheuser-Busch, Comcast, iChooseAdoption, McDonald's, Microsoft, Skechers and Sony PSP. She is producer and event planner for Mixed Remixed, the nation's premiere cultural arts festival celebrating stories of the Mixed experience. Jennifer co-hosted and co-produced the award-winning podcast Mixed Chicks Chat, the only live weekly show about being racially and culturally mixed. She is excited about completing her first documentary. Chill examines “social egg freezing” and follows a modern-day journey to motherhood. Jennifer’s egg freezing story has been featured in the Italian fashion magazine Gracia, on FOX, KTLA’s Health Smart, Australia's SundayNight, ABC’s 20/20 with Aditi Roy and on the front page of the Los Angeles Times.
Sam Ashurov
Award-Winning Filmmaker
I am a passionate and versatile Film Director with extensive background in ventures that capture emerging trends. I was born and raised in New Jersey, the same state where I currently live. I am from Russian and Jewish descent. For school I attend college at Columbia College Chicago which is located in Chicago, IL, where I study film.
Sam is the director of the Award Winning Chasing Dreams. When we were kids we all had dreams. There were no boundaries to our imagination and anything was possible. But where did all that go wrong? Chasing Dreams is a documentary that explores and goes into depth of that very same question.
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