Cast & Crew
Tony Marquez
Director, Producer, Co-writer
Tony is a Filipino American filmmaker in Los Angeles, California. Originally from the Washington DC Metro area, he graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video Studies. Tony was able to land jobs in non-scripted Television formats with Travel Channel and Discovery Networks.
His pursuit of directing narrative films led him to ambitiously create independent projects while working a busy schedule. Tony has used his experience of traveling the country with these jobs and transplanting to a different coast, as well as attending one of the most diverse Universities in the country to tell stories that capture audiences of all backgrounds.
With success in the festival circuit being selected to places such as Boston International, Richmond International and a winner at the Olympus Film Festival in Los Angeles, he moved West to take on the Hollywood Dream.
Tony has been able to work and gain experience on such shows as Lethal Weapon, Criminal Minds, and Young Sheldon. He was recently accepted to the Sundance Director Core Masterclass in 2020 and has since created two microbudget short films during the 2020-2021 Pandemic. He is currently working on a new project titled ‘FilAm’ to shed light on his own personal Filipino American experience.
Allison Reyes
Producer
Allison is a producer and actress for tv and film. As an actress, she is known for her role in Shine Bright. From dancing at Disneyland to producing some of the biggest shows and films in the industry, Allison has proven herself as a powerful multi-hyphenate. With her love of storytelling, Allison has produced content for Amazon Prime Video, Warner Brothers, Facebook Watch and Netflix – including “Hype House” – a Netflix Top Ten!
She is the founder/CEO of VisionRey, a production company that specializes in films and actor reels. As a producer for BRIC Foundation, she is excited to strengthen representation within the industry. Her ultimate hope is to give back to the community and ignite the careers of up-and-coming creatives.
Micah McFarland
Producer, Co-writer
Micah graduated from FAVS in 2013 and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in writing for television.
He’s written for the Emmy-award winning series Artificial, and has had scripts place in the semi-finals of the Austin Film Festival and the PAGE Awards. He’s written and produced many shorts and skits with his fellow Mason alumni.
When not writing, he spends his time playing overly-complicated board games and producing music. He lives in Hollywood with his wife and two adorable cats.
Laurel Pierce
Producer
Laurel is a Los Angeles based producer hailing from Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Broadcast Production Laurel packed her bags and headed south for the “Hollywood” dream.
After about a year of working in unscripted television, she landed a PA job on “Criminal Minds”. From there she was able to work on the ABC’s “Stumptown” and “Rebel” as a producer’s assistant. Laurel has been able to learn the ins and outs of producing from these projects.
On the side, she has produced two other shorts with others on deck.
Stephanie Aristei
Producer
Stephanie is a Filipino-Italian American producer, dancer, and actor currently working on a confidential project for Disney. Previously she worked in production accounting on various scripted and unscripted shows for Amazon Studios, Warner Horizon, NBC Universal, Fox, USA Network, and Warner Brothers.
Stephanie also served as a Production Accountant for the Russo Brother’s production companies, including Agbo Films, Anthem & Song, and Bullitt.
Although she was born and raised in Los Angeles, she loves the Midwest and graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in Theatre and Business Finance.
During her free time, she dances bachata and salsa and produces dance videos. She resides in sunny Los Angeles and will be competing with her teams and as a soloist in July at the World Salsa Summit.
Nikolai Bazan
Lead Actor
Nikolai Bazan is a young actor known for “Shop Class” on Disney +. He has also worked as a principle actor in several web commercials.
Nikolai is currently studying at The Playground acting conservatory and has even trained with their founder, Gary Spatz. He has also trained at John Casablancas for monologue work and modeling.
For fun, Nikolai enjoys learning Japanese, playing video games with friends, and trying new foods.
Coél Mahal
Lead Actress
Classically trained in New York in Musical Theatre, Coél moved to Los Angeles where her career spans over two decades of professional experience in acting, producing, directing, choreographing, and special/practical FX makeup.
Coél has written and produced multiple comedy improv works for digital platforms, which inevitably lead her to join Code 3 Comedy where she guest starred on “Interrogations Gone Wrong” starring Jim Klock, Mike Capozzi, and also starring Keanu Reeves and Jason O’Mara.
She recently had the opportunity of also joining the LifeTime Movie Network family with Ninth House Films as Maya in “Secrets of an Escort”, and currently works with Disney using her martial arts background as the Stunt Assistant for Fox’s “9-1-1 Lone Star”.
Outside of the industry, she continues to give back to her community as the Chairperson for the Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Committee of GFWC TWC, spearheading awareness projects and presentations while working closely with the San Joaquin HT Task Force.
Carlin James
Actor
Carlin James is an actor from Long Beach, CA, who has worked on numerous commercials, TV shows, and films. Most notably, he can be seen in episodes of Better Call Saul, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and has been a guest on 3 of the 4 NCIS shows (NCIS, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai’i).
Linda Augustin
Actress
Having a background in fashion design, Linda has always been a creative artist. Her love for acting blossomed when she was first introduced to the commercial industry, having the opportunity to work for companies like DirecTV and Graton Casinos. Soon after her commercial work she hopped into film with Disney’s “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta!”.
When not exploring the film and television realm, Linda rescues and rehabilitates exotic birds and is a fierce advocate for spreading awareness of avian education to support avian wellness.
Napoleon Highbrou
Actor
Napoleon Highbrou was born in Martinez, California. He began acting professionally at the age of 9 years old, starting off in Theater and transitioning into film after High School. He had no troubles making the transition, as he booked multiple short films, feature films, commercials, and voice over work. He’s acted alongside actors such as Sierra McCormick from American Horror Story, Jason Harner from popular show Ozark, and Ryan Simpkins from Netflix’s original Fear Street. His voice over portfolio is quite impressive as well, working with Pixar, Target, McDonald’s, GoDaddy and more. He’s a new face in Hollywood to keep an eye on.
Raphael Buenaventura
Actor
A theater-and-film-loving freelance actor, Raphael is thrilled to extend his fondness for acting on film after portraying “Ted” in Peter and The Starcatcher at the Long Beach Playhouse, and “Charlie” on You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. He has participated in various choral performances for a Catholic Charismatic Community: Bukas-Loob sa Diyos.
Living in Los Angeles with his dog, Raphael looks forward to expanding his horizon and supporting fellow artists in creating masterpieces with his talent and participation.
Tyler Sopland
Actor
Tyler Lawrence Sopland was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. As a child, he was active in theater productions and competitive skateboarding. Tyler’s two passions collided at the age of 11 when he got his first on-camera acting job promoting the opening of a local skate park. Tyler made the move to Los Angeles after studying Animation. You can see him in the newly released film entitled Cool, Awesome, and Desirable as well as in the highly anticipated soon-to-be-released independent film Child.
Mannon Butt
Director Of Photography
Mannon graduated from George Mason University in the Spring of 2011 with a BA in Film and Video studies and minor in History.
Over the last ten years, he has been cinematographer on over twenty short films and two feature films, many of which have been GMU senior thesis films that have gone on to festivals, including Visual Scar, Wingboys, and A Cry from the Grimm.
After graduating, he spent two years working full time at Discovery Channel as an Assistant Editor / camera gear tech and part time Camera Operator for the NHL Capitals, NBA Wizards, WNBA Mystics, and NCAA Hoyas.
In 2016, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue cinematography full time. He currently works as an EPK cinematographer and has worked on several projects including Birds of Prey, The Lego Movie 2, John Wick 2 & 3, Deadpool 2, Fantastic Beasts 1 & 2, Tomb Raider, and Sense 8.
Bailey Softness
Camera Operator
Bailey graduated from Wesleyan University in 2017 with a degree in English and Film Studies. After spending the summer of 2017 shooting the short documentary “Habesha” in Israel she moved to LA to pursue working in camera full time.
After working as a Set PA in reality tv and working in camera on short films and non-union projects, she joined Local 600 in 2019 as a Digital Utility/Loader and has worked in the camera department on projects including The Curse of La Llorona, Annabelle Comes Home, Jumanji:The Next Level, Lethal Weapon, YOU, and Reservation Dogs.
She is currently on her third season as the Loader/Additional 2nd AC on Young Sheldon.
Zach Griffin
Editor
Zach Griffin is a New York based editor and filmmaker. He works full time as an assistant editor and is currently in the process of relocating to the west coast.
FilAm is the thirteenth short he has cut.
Mikey Villanueva
Music Artist
Mikey Vee, a Filipino-American hip hop artist from the bay area, is getting attention for his unique flow, clever wordplay, and versatility, making records ranging from lyrically conscious raps to heavy bangers to upbeat pop songs. His newest EP, RICH RED SUMMER, which includes feel good hits like “Bottle Service, and Love on Tap” is a summer smash to get you dancing on the spot.
In Collaboration With
