PRODUCER- DIRECTOR

Rae Shaw is a director-producer and writer whose work pushes boundaries to create new narratives and forms of storytelling. After completing her undergraduate thesis of poetry at the University of Chicago, Rae attended University of Miami’s graduate film school program and dedicated herself to the craft of making films inspired by her poetry. Rae has gained recognition for The Repass which was a 2014 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist and also the award-winning short thriller, Soap and Roses which she directed and produced. Soap and Roses won festival competitions Los Angeles Women’s Festival and Brooklyn’s Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival and Lecture Series. After directing a trailer for The Repass in 2014, Rae is currently developing The Repass, a tv series and the web series Black Kungfu Chick. She teaches producing and writing at the New York Film Academy and is a member of LACMA, ACLU and Alliance of Women Directors. She is also the recipient of many awards including the Woodrow Wilson National Foundation Fellowship, Frances E Williams Fellowship, Guy Hanks and Marvin Miller Screenwriting Fellowship and Delaware Division of the Arts Fellowship among others. Rae splits her time between New York and Los Angeles.

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Eli Arenson is a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory and is a Los Angeles and Tel-Aviv based cinematographer. He began filming professionally during his military service in the Israeli Defense Forces where he was stationed as a photojournalist. His exclusive coverage from within the Gaza Strip during the Gaza War in 2008-9 was opening news broadcasts worldwide alongside President Obama's inauguration. Since his discharge Eli has been working on award winning feature films, primetime television and commercials in Israel, Brazil, Canada and the USA. He recently wrapped shooting the first season of the TV Series ALESIA: GROUND ZERO. Besides a focus on narrative filmmaking, his work also includes music videos (THE FOALS, GUSTER) and commercials (DORITOS, SAMSUNG). Eli's work on "Killing Time", dir. Rafi Shor, was an official selection in the Etudes Competition at the International Cinematography Film Festival, Camerimage 2015.

LINE PRODUCER

Sandra E. Varona is a Los Angeles-based Film, Music Video & New Media Producer with over 10 years of experience. In 2008, Sandra received the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant—which provides up-and-coming independent filmmakers a full camera package to jumpstart their careers. Soon after, she launched her own company, Varona Productions—a banner that has been at the forefront of numerous music videos, short films, new media projects and now its first feature film. www.varonaproductions.com In 2010, Varona was one of 30 participants selected for the highly coveted year-long mentorship program Project Involve sponsored by Film Independent. After completing Project Involve, she signed on as the Unit Production Manager on the feature film, FILLY BROWN, which was well received at Sundance and starred Golden Globe-winner Gina Rodriguez. Her debut as a Producer/Line Producer on a feature film came in the fall of 2015 as she applied her expertise to the independent film SHINE.  Completely shot in New York City and currently in Post Production, the feature stars David Zayas (Gotham, FOX), Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black, Netflix), the world-renowned bachatero Jorge Burgos and Gilbert Saldivar. Most recently, Varona produced the web series pilot Tarantella with an all women crew to actively prove diversity behind camera is certainly attainable. ​

CO-PRODUCER

Prarthana Joshi is a creative producer based in Los Angeles. Her most recent project as a production manager, a web series called "the Millionaires” has been featured on the funny or Die and is in the second season. Her introduction to the industry was in 2008, when she started working as an assistant director in independent features and short films in India. Her first short film she directed, ‘Vaatsaru', The Rolling Stone, was screened at the International film festival of India. She Was Awarded a fellowship from the National Film Archives of India for her work on the archival documentary on Prabhat film company. She graduated with a MFA from New York Film Academy in Los Angeles in 2012. The Projects that she AD’d on include The Well, Following Jerry, Imperial Odyssey: Questions of War, Black and Shiny Things , Chippy and Imperial Odyssey: The Brushfire Impasse. Her credits not only include her work as a producer/ AD but she has edited over 10 short projects and has done production design on projects like Dance of insanity, A Father's Love , Blind Date, Infliction, Same Time Same Place, napkins and Tell Me a Memory.

TRANSMEDIA PRODUCER

Jainardhan Sathyan is a multi talented producer, director and a transmedia specialist. He has produced more than twenty television shows, music videos, commercials and directed short films. His recent film Harvey's Dream, has been winning several awards at the festivals around the world. In the past, he has worked with the WPP group, the world's largest advertising conglomerate, as Producer/National Director - Content, where he was responsible for producing branded content and delivering transmedia campaigns for brands like Pepsico, Unilever, Kelloggs, Lufthansa, LG and many more. He also runs a startup that develops smartphone applications for entertainment shows and series. He is a film graduate and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, son and when he is not working, he loves traveling to a new city on exploration.

CASTING DIRECTOR

Brooklyn born, and Florida raised, Tiffanny Nelson is founder of NYLA Creative Consulting, LLC.  From New York to Los Angeles, Tiffanny connects aspiring actors and actresses with insight into navigating the growing entertainment arena. In film, TV, and digital, Tiffanny has aided directors and producers in bringing their vision to life on the small and large screen. Her first intrigue into entertainment was ignited thru acting, working on numerous independent projects in Los Angeles. Tiffanny worked rigorously and became a member of SAG-AFTRA. Her love of acting led her to finding out more about the casting side of the business. It was during her time as a casting intern she realized her passion was in helping artists find the right actors to bring their projects to life.  After sharpening her skills at as a casting assistant at Central Casting, she branched out into casting projects independently. Credits include “Rocking With the Best” music video, and AFI Masters Thesis Films: Crenshaw Nights, Bula’s Fortune, Song of David, and In Another Life. She is currently working on the new post-Hurricane Katrina thriller, “The Repass” and the upcoming film, “Salsa Millenia”.

CASTING ASSOCIATE

Born in Boston, raised in Miami, educated in NYC, came of age in Washington, DC and now living in Los Angeles, Jihane Jeanty serves as our Casting Associate on Black Kungfu Chick. When she's not busy looking up new restaurants to visit or hanging out at Costco for free samples, she works as a Digital Media Producer for a fun and innovative entertainment advertising agency. Jihane also really likes cheese. 

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Disney Hall is a Writer/Producer from the Inland Empire. After attending the Los Angeles Film School in 2011, Disney has been actively writing and producing since. She acted as the production coordinator for Anna Elizabeth James pilot "Diary of a Teenage Nobody" as well as the 48 hour film competition. Disney is a huge fan of Japanese anime and kung-fu!