Director/Writer: Heather Alexis(she/her)

Is an emerging filmmaker based in NYC. Her passion lies in Post Production Editing and Screenwriting. Her goal as an artist is to create films that explore mental health representation in an informative mix of reality and fantasy. The representation of mental health in media needs to be reimagined by storytellers willing to put in the research and take on these important themes with a caring hand. Her previous Post Production editing and finishing work has been for Disney’s WABC-7, HBO, and independent Short Films. Her screenwriting, notably her trilogy Playback, has been featured as a finalist for New York’s Fusion Film Festival. She is currently pursuing her M.A in Psychology in Film at NYU Gallatin. She holds a BFA in Film and Television Production from NYU Tisch (Dec. 2020). Currently, she is a freelance Film Editor and Screenwriter, working at NYU Tisch School of the Arts as a Post Production Technician. More of her work can be found at www.heatheraalexis.com.

 Actor: Sylvie Tamar(she/they)

Is a NYC-based actor and choreographer, and a recent graduate of Fordham University's Theatre Program. They hope to use storytelling to question the norm while employing radical equity in their artistic process. With a background in dance, singing, circus arts, and more, they are drawn to collaborative and multidisciplinary work. Some of their favorite work has been playing #2 in Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves (Fordham University) as well as choreographing a production of Clare Barron’s Dance Nation (Fordham University). Through their time studying acting, they’ve developed a passion for the unique intersection of psychology and acting, specifically in regard to protecting an actor’s mental health while playing emotionally turbulent and demanding characters. They are an advocate for safe acting practices and for further research into what those practices can be. More about them at sylvietamar.com

 Director of Photography: Alicia Baggieri(she/her)

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Alicia Baggieri is an emerging cinematographer based in Bay Shore, New York. Her work has been featured on Thrasher Magazine, Super Geek Film Festival and FICSAM Interational Mental Health Film Festival. She is honoured to be a Companion Member in the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. She studied Film and Television Production at Humber College, specializing in cinematography. During that time, she had the chance to work on many projects, granting her the opportunity to absorb the tools and techniques to creating outstanding material. She has worked on a variety of short films and documentaries early on in her career. Capturing the emerging non-traditional skateboard scene in Pittsburgh, the mental health of unique individuals in Southern Ontario and experimental shorts with wild turn of events. In line with her core values, she volunteers her artistic abilities to help promote non-traditional skateboarders by taking photos, promoting events and contributing to the community.

 Producer: Amanda Yerby(she/her)

Is a producer and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. She just started an M.A. program at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a concentration in Accessible and Equitable Filmmaking. She is passionate about creating inclusive environments in filmmaking from the development through the presentations of each film. Amanda also works full-time in academia helping students with all the pre-production aspects of bringing their visions to life. When isn't studying, or working, she is at home cuddling with her two rescue cats, Indy and Jerry.

 Producer: Colette Poncet(she/her)

Born and raised in New York, Colette Poncet is an emerging filmmaker who aspires to make films that represent mental heatlh issues and complex relationship dynamics. She is currently a junior at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, concentrating in screenwriting, producing, entertainment business, and developmental psychology. She has worked on several short films and is currently working on writing and developing her first feature screenplay. In her free time, she enjoys tap dancing, baking, and spending time with her service dog, Remi.

 Assitant Director: Patrick Godino(he/him)

Originally from Newtown, CT, Patrick Godino is a filmmaker based in NYC. He is a graduate of New York University, where he double-majored in Film & TV and Spanish. Currently, he is seeking to distribute his thesis film, "Every Other Kid," while developing a number of other projects. When not directing, Patrick works as a script supervisor or assistant director. In his free time, Patrick enjoys running, playing baseball and listening to music.

 Assitant Director: Jad Jacob(he/him)

Is a filmmaker, composer, and artist whose web series, shorts, and documentaries have won over thirty awards and premiered internationally in festivals, most recently at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. He is a Finalist for the Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship in Screenwriting, and his documentary, I Am Syria, has screened at fundraisers and lectures across the Northeast. He recently performed a Dueling Pianos show aboard the MSC Seashore for 5 months, and will soon begin a residency at the Green Fig. He is currently writing a rock musical called BEETHOVEN: Live In Concert. @bvnthemusical

 Art Director: Natalia Ferarra(she/her)

Is a Los-Angeles-raised & New-York-based filmmaker who’s been writing, directing, and production designing films for 10 years. With a focus on telling female-led stories, she hopes to both move audiences and create change while also using absurd settings, characters, and humor that make her films her own. As a designer, Natalia works closely with the script’s story to visually express the details that create the world and in-depth characters. As a 10-time winner of Best Film, 6-time winner of Best Director, 2-time winner of Best Production Design, and 3-time winner of various Rising Future Filmmaker awards, from numerous festivals including NFFTY, Los Angeles Film Festival, and Fusion Film Festival, Natalia soon aims to continue her career in feature-length form.

 Production Mixer & Sound Designer: Brandon Pavlicek(he/him)

Is an audio and video engineer based in Queens. He is extremely passionate about technology, often researching how equipment such as microphones, drum machines, and synthesizers are built while building his own. He holds a BFA in Film and Television Production from NYU Tisch School of the Arts (Dec. 2020), where he specialized in sound mixing, design, and music production. Blending creativity and technology, he is currently an R&D Engineer and Video Technician at Rockstar Games.

 Key Grip & Gaffer: Aly Hegazy(he/him)

Is an Egyptian Filmmaker based in New York City. Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, Aly grew up falling in love with all types of movies across all genres which inspired him to make his first short film at the ripe age of 6 years old. He carried his passion with him all the way to college in 2018 where he enrolled in New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Film & Television program, and graduated in 2021 with a B.F.A and a Minor in Business of Entertainment Media.

 Animation: Atlas A Lee-Reid(ze/they/he)

Is a non-binary, fat, white, queer visual artist and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. Zir autobiographical zines are available in Bluestockings Cooperative in Manhattan and Wasted Ink Distro in Phoenix, AZ, and has been featured in festivals such as Sounds About Riso 2022 and Queer Arts Winterfest. Ze is also currently pursuing a Masters degree from NYU in queer and trans filmmaking and artistic self-expression by marginalized communities. While not pursuing opportunities in the visual arts, Atlas spends zir time performing with TRANScend Sings all-trans choir and volunteering as social media coordinator for Shapeless Press, an anti-capitalist queer and trans indie zine press.

 Composer: Michael J. Melnik(he/him)

Is a 2nd Year graduate student in the Media Scoring and Production program at the Frost School of Music. In his undergraduate studies he earned two B.M.s in Instrumental Performance and Music Composition at the University of Connecticut. There he studied percussion with Robert McEwan (Principal Percussionist of the U.S. Coast Guard band), and composition with recent GRAMMY® Award winner Kenneth Fuchs. In the past Michael was the Principal Percussionist of the UConn Symphony Orchestra and Co-Principal Percussionist of the UConn Wind Ensemble. He was a winner in the 2019 UConn Aria/Concerto Competition which awarded him the opportunity to perform the first movement of Emmanuel Sejourne’s Vibraphone Concerto with the UConn Symphony Orchestra. Currently Michael is studying Media Scoring with recent GRAMMY® Award winner Carlos Rafael Rivera (Queen's Gambit) and is working on various music tech related skills at Frost.