BAFF Industry Network Members

I am a San Francisco-based polymath, seamlessly blending my talents in writing, painting, and acting, with a deep passion for painting and scriptwriting. As an avid snowboarder and traveler, I am constantly seeking new adventures, drawing inspiration from these experiences to fuel my artistic and creative pursuits. My love for science fiction drives me to explore novels and films that push the boundaries of technology and innovation, enriching my storytelling and perspective. My conversations are rich with insights from philosophy to psychology, all delivered with a unique sense of humor that brings joy to those around me. Looking forward, I dream of directing groundbreaking projects and owning an island, aiming to merge and share the diverse cultures of French, English, and Turkish that have influenced my life, through visually captivating and narratively compelling works.

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​https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9733580/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Emmy-winning director Katie O’Grady's debut feature film as a producer, "RID OF ME," premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, earning critical acclaim as a NY Times Critics Pick of the week and securing distribution with Showtime. Recognized in Shoot Magazine's Director Showcase, Katie boasts a diverse career spanning commercials, shorts, and now feature directing. Renowned for her exceptional skill in directing both non-actors and actors, including notable athletes like Mike Trout, Damian Lillard, and others, Katie's talent stands out across various projects. She is an avid fan of collaboration and adds value to every set she works on.

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https://www.katieogrady.com/

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Bio coming soon...

Born and raised in Queens, New York. Former New York City Correction Officer. KLS is not an award-winning screenwriter, yet he shouldn't be counted out because he is a committed and creative writer. He loves writing all genres as he is eager to grab the attention of all walks of life through his relatable characters. He graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with his bachelor's in Criminal Justice and then received his Master of Business Administration from Mercy College. Taking pride in his completed projects, he continues to work with hopes of meeting new writers and producers.

Tim Lorge is a New York City/Hudson Valley playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker, and film historian.

His plays include "Modern Love", "The Betrayal", and "Ben Loves Michele but She's Positive". Work-in-progress scenes of "The Betrayal" have appeared at The PlayGround Experiment in New York City and the full play appeared as part of The PlayGround Experiment's First Reads Festival. "Ben Loves Michele but She's Positive" was developed with the New Ambassadors Theater Lab and appeared in their inaugural First Acts Festival.

As a filmmaker, Tim has created numerous documentary short films for myFace, the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction; the American Parkinson Disease Association; and numerous training and public service films for the public sector.

He is in pre-production on his directorial debut feature "The Naked Winemaker" scheduled to shoot in Fall, 2022 in the Hudson Valley.

Tim is the Raindance New York Hub General Manager where he organizes the internationally known Raindance Filmmaking Curriculum within the New York City and Hudson Valley Areas.

He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America, The PlayGround Experiment Theater Company and The New Ambassadors Theater Lab.

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​https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8924190/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Karen is a singer-songwriter, composer, artist, teacher and writer (most recently, a playwright, screenwriter, author) . She is the co-author & illustrator for Pau Pua & the Watering Hole, and has written numerous reports, articles and songs based on her love of nature, research, & grassroots experience. Her detailed BIO, music & lyrics, including the demo-album for “Lady of the Rose” can be accessed on her website: www.musartproject.

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https://musartproject.com

My first screenplays were 4 spec scripts for ST:TNG--none were produced but the first was good enough that I given a letter allowing me to submit the subsequent three without representation. I've had one short screenplay produced, an adaptation of Phillip K. Dick's short story "Beyond the Door". I've written two original 1-hour TV pilots, a back-door pilot for Supernatural, and am working on a 3 original. I've had several short stories published.

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9821009/

Max Darwin has a recurring character on this new HBO Max series "The Girls on the Bus". He also wrote and produced "The Lost Treasures of J.J. Abrams", currently on the festival circuit. Additional on screen appearances include "FBI"(CBS and Paramount+), "The Equalizer"(CBS and Paramount+) and "The Blacklist"(NBC)

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https://www.maxdarwin.com/

Andy Winstead is an award winning Native American Actor, Writer, Producer, and Director. He is the first Native American Indian to pilot the F-16 fighter jet. After a 20 year carrier as a F-16 fighter pilot, and completing 102 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Andy set out to accomplish his second goal of becoming an actor. Native roles in film and television are virtually nonexistent. He incorporated Native Warrior Productions, Inc to create opportunities for himself and others.

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6548314/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Aline Andrade is a Brazilian-American filmmaker based in the Los Angeles area.Throughout her career, Aline has built an impressive resume as an associate and archival producer working for renowned networks and platforms, including National Geographic, Netflix, HBO, ABC, PBS, FIFA+ and CNN. Fueled by her desire to tell personal and profound stories, Aline founded Fine Frenzy Films. Writing, directing, and producing in Portuguese, English and Spanish, Aline's work is a reflection of her deep interest in religion, philosophy, and the universal journey of coming of age focusing on projects that bring to light the experiences of outsiders navigating a new culture, and asserting the participation of minority groups as powerful creatives.

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​www.finefrenzyfilms.com

Gurinder J. Singh is an award-winning filmmaker based in New York, celebrated for her commitment to using the power of cinema to drive positive change.

With over 16 years of experience as a seasoned lawyer, Gurinder brings a unique strength to her filmmaking. Her legal expertise, honed through roles in BigLaw and in-house positions, has not only equipped her with a deep understanding of the intricacies of the law but also enhanced her storytelling ability.

Gurinder's filmmaking journey, enriched by her education at prestigious institutions such as the University of Southern California, New York Film Academy, The Barrow Group, and Jacob Krueger Studio, reflects her distinct vision. She is known for uniting a diverse cast and crew, including women, LGBTQ+ members, and actors with disabilities, to tell compelling stories that foster meaningful conversations.

Her debut short film, "Rising Lotus," achieved global acclaim, selected in 60+ prestigious film festivals and earning 30+ awards, including several "Best Short Film" honors. Awards like "Best Director" and "Rising Star" underscore her profound impact on the world of cinema.

Beyond her filmmaking endeavors, Gurinder dedicates her time to promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. She serves as a Director on the Board of the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC).

Gurinder earned her Bachelors of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) College of Engineering and her Juris Doctor from Wayne State University School of Law. Her passions range from family time and nature exploration to yoga and sports like tennis, golf, and skiing. Music and dance resonate deeply, encapsulating her soul's rhythm

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12756933/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Sean Claffey has more than 25 years in the film industry spanning feature films,industry
documentaries and commercials.

Sean is drawn to emotionally compelling projects and embraces the rigors of getting
the story right, even under the most challenging circumstances.

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https://seanclaffey.com/

P. James Norris started off writing spec teleplays for Star Trek: The Next Generation way back in the 1980's and have since started writing short stories, a spec back-door pilot for Supernatural, an original pilot called Project Ωmega and three novels.

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9821009/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Chad was born and raised in Boring, Oregon. That is not an adjective. That is an actual place. Since the ripe age of five, Chad has been involved in the entertainment industry. With 20+ years of experience as an actor, Chad has been around every facet of the storytelling process. He has appeared in several feature films, theatrical productions, national commercials, and television shows.

In addition to his diverse acting career, Chad is also a seasoned filmmaker. Throughout his experiences as an actor, Chad has had the privilege of observing some of the most influential artists in their field. He has written, produced, and directed five short films, as well as a TV comedy pilot that is currently being shopped around to various distributors. He hopes to be on the forefront of bringing stories to the screen that carry hope, redemption, joy, power, and truth to audiences around the world. You can see some of his work at www.chadsmathers.com.

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http://www.chadsmathers.com/

Raised in the shadow of New York City, Henry Winnik discovered his love of film at a young age while escaping into the aisles of the local video store, within the myriad of lurid and exciting VHS covers. His passion would later develop while studying film production at Trinity College (where he co-founded the college’s television station), the FAMU International Film School in Prague, and at the NYU Post Graduate SCPS film program.

After graduating, Henry quickly dove headfirst into film production. Starting out in the Location Department of the 2008 Darren Aronofsky film The Wrestler and continued as a Location Scout and a DGA Location Manager for over a decade on numerous TV/Film productions throughout New York City and the surrounding region. His work in Location Management includes projects such as Gotham (Fox TV), A Walk Among The Tombstones (Universal Pictures), The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Brothers), Homeland (Showtime TV), Wu-Tang: An American Saga (HULU TV), and Insidious: The Red Door (Sony/Blumhouse).

For over a decade, Henry developed a deeper understanding of filmmaking at the pre-production and production stages: leading a full film crew throughout the production day, how to work with and create a functional shooting schedule, and quickly adapt to any situation that might put the production in dire situations. He utilized these experiences to direct and produce corporate web videos and several award-winning short films that blended his creative expertise with his logistical filmmaking know-how

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2763349/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Nia Weeks is a native of New Orleans, and has spent years fighting for the rights of women, children, and families. Graduating with a law degree from the Loyola School of Law, her post Law School career has been immersed in work that focuses on addressing a variety of systemic issues that marginalized community members have asked to be examined. She is currently the founder and Director of Citizen SHE United, which mobilizes Black Women around the state to actively participate in changing the system so that it begins to work for them and their children. Her work focuses on the intersectional issues of economically and socially disadvantaged black women in Louisiana so that they may be fully informed about their options and be given a full breadth of understanding of the totally of the life impact on any decision they make.

Nia brings over 20 years of grassroots activism that includes: political strategy rooted in systemic change and drafting legislation focused on intersectional community issues. As Founder of Citizen SHE United, Nia has a vision to be a part of the answer to righting the wrongs of systemic oppression in Louisiana. SHE is an advocacy group in Louisiana that is building an aligned base of Black Women who inform, advocate for and enact a collective policy agenda to address the needs of Black Women across the state.

Nia's activities are well-coordinated and supported by an interactive social media presence. Building power for Black women in Louisiana through a comprehensive strategy that builds the skills, capacity, and profiles of Black women who can advance a proactive policy agenda and represent a vibrant and activated statewide base that informs, supports, and advances Black Women’s vision for Louisiana.

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13868396/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Yazmon Ector is an editor and producer from Detroit, Michigan, currently based in New York. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (2019) from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor where she majored in Art & Design with a concentration in Digital Storytelling. During her time there, Yazmon experimented with many mediums such as 2D and 3D animation, video editing, and graphic design. She has also spent time abroad in Shiga, Japan studying international markets and early childhood development.

In the past six years, she’s worked under Creative Marketing divisions including EatStreet, the University of Michigan, the National Center of Institutional Diversity, and Nickelodeon’s Brand Creative division.

Currently, Yazmon works as an Associate Producer in Branded Content for CBS News Streaming.

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https://www.yazmonector.com/

Brazilian-born American playwright and award-winning screenwriter develops character-driven stories that have social, political and psychological depth reflecting her international worldview, adding a dash of humor because, let’s face it, who can watch provocative narratives without a joke or a caipirinha? Renata holds a BA in Performing Arts from Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona and a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education with a specialization in Drama from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. She also holds a Diploma in Dramatic Arts from the Célia-Helena Theater Academy in São Paulo, Brazil. Renata is passionate about teaming up with like-minded producers, directors, actors, and other industry professionals as she believes collaboration is the key to creating unforgettable, high-quality projects with universal appeal that resonate with audiences worldwide. If you share her vision and passion, contact Renata to join forces to create something truly remarkable that leaves a lasting mark.

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https://www.renataelis.com/

Sole Owner of HBG Casting, LLC specializing in feature film casting. Has cast projects for Netflix, HULU, Hallmark and the true independent. Actress who has appeared on Law & Order; SVU as a judge, SHE SAID, and most recently KILLING CASTRO. Currently producing a RomCom and a thriller.

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https://hbgcasting.com/

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2467051/

Based in Los Angeles, Krushan Naik is an award-winning director, producer, editor, and educator who has also served as the Head of Programming and a judge for film festivals; taught film production and post-production courses; worked as a Festival Specialist consulting filmmakers on film festivals and marketing strategies, and has featured in various publications, including Film Daily, Mid-Day, Morgan Hill Life, Digital Journal, New York Amsterdam News, Variety, and more. After receiving the "How to Navigate Film Festivals, Marketing & Distribution as a Filmmaker" certification from the Sundance Institute, he worked as a Festival Specialist, consulting filmmakers on film festivals and marketing strategies. In addition, he is an Avid Certified Instructor (ACI) and a Specialist and enjoys creating immersive audio-visual experiences from hours of footage. Krushan has won multiple awards for films produced, co-produced, or produced in association with Krushan Naik Films, including the Telly Award, and has premiered them at prestigious film festivals, including Oscar®/Academy Award®, BAFTA, Canadian Screen Award-qualifying. Moreover, he has a background in visual effects and 3D animation and was also the successful proprietor of an advertising agency, K.N. Kreative Studios, where he collaborated with Bollywood celebrities and top artists in the film and fashion industries from his time in India.

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https://www.krushanaik.film

Carla Debbie Alleyne is a writer and director who received her B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Film and Television and Dramatic Writing from NYU. Carla's play Hey, Little Walter was produced Off-Broadway at Playwright's Horizon as part of The Young Playwrights Festival. Carla has also written numerous screenplays, which have been optioned by production companies such as HBO and Miramax Films. ​

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https://www.scarletcordentertainment.com/

Henk Pretorius is a multi-award-winning and commercially successful director whose ability to make emotionally resonant films, across multiple genres and in a diversity of settings, has earned him an enduring place in the independent film industry.

The South African-raised Pretorius established himself as a significant force in his home country through several beloved features that saw him being selected by the noted publication, the Mail & Guardian as one of the Top 200 Young South Africans in 2013. A highlight was Fanie Fourie's Lobola (2013) (2013) which won a brace of awards, including the Golden Space Needle Award (Seattle International Film Festival award for Best Film), Best Comedy (Sedona International Film Festival) and the Audience Award (Jozi International Film Festival). Among the projects that followed was Leading Lady (2014), the second highest-grossing South African film in 2014.

Most recent of projects are dramatic science fiction Forever Young (2023), and the action-comedy Young Gun, based on Pretorius's original screenplays - one a poignant and captivating story about resisting and embracing ageing and the other a kinetic, fast-paced film about alienation and the challenges to provide for your family as an illegal immigrant. 

With Forever Young (2023) and Young Gun now waiting to follow globally acquired The Unfamiliar (2020) (2020) into distribution, Pretorius is focused on taking his already considerable experience and successes from the independent terrain onto a more expansive creative stage that can make full use of his varied talents. 

https://www.darkmatter.studio/

Michael Angel Johnson's plays have been produced in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Amherst, New Haven, and other places across the U. S. The Price of Solitude was a finalist in the National Ten-Minute Play Contest at Actors Theatre of Louisville. The Apartment earned Michael angel the honor of special participant at the O’Neill Theatre Centre. My stories and essays: “The African American Woman Who Shaped the Future of Art” (On The Issues Magazine), “The Echo” (Persimmon Tree), “ and A Basket of Biscuits” (On The Issues Magazine).

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https://www.michaelangeljohnson.com/

Queens made me but Brooklyn raised me. My purpose in life was to never fit in; but to stand out. My contribution to the universe is to write. Write what I see, what I know, and what I feel. The Sky is the limit and I count on my universe matching my sacrifice.

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https://www.instagram.com/sweetpenkfilms

Tim Lorge is a New York City/Hudson Valley playwright, screenwriter, and filmmaker. He is a postproduction specialist and a Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Certified Trainer. As a filmmaker, Tim has created numerous documentary short films for myFace, the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction; the American Parkinson Disease Association; and numerous training and public service films for the public sector. He is currently in production on his latest documentary "The Wines of New York" and in depth look at wine in the Empire State. He is also in preproduction on his narrative directorial debut feature "The Naked Winemaker" scheduled to shoot in Summer, 2024 in the Hudson Valley.

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8924190/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1;

I spent the early part of my career training to be a talent agent until I realized I needed to be on the creative end of the spectrum. I've been writing ever since. I'm an entertainment journalist who cover film, television, music, and video games.

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sonyaalexander.contently.com

Jeffrey Rowe is an entrepreneur / business professional in the film & entertainment industry with experience in various aspects of business strategy, business development, marketing / promotion, and connecting people. I practice the art of giving without receiving in order to help me fulfill my major definite passion in life: to build and harness relationships with people who feel the very same way. Lifelong athlete as well as actor / voice actor. 

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https://www.market-tailor.com