GEORGE NICHOLAS
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
George Nicholas is a Bulgarian-American filmmaker born in Slovakia in 1987. His short films include fiction as well as documentary work and have garnered awards from festivals in California, West Virginia and New York. He has been living in Los Angeles with his wife and creative partner, Eliza Bonev, since graduating from Bulgaria's National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in 2011.
JULIAN AMARU
DFP
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Julian is a member of the Peruvian Society of Cinematography (DFP) since 2014 and currently serves on its Board. He earned an MFA in Cinematography from AFI Conservatory and did postgraduate work at EICTV, Cuba and NFTS, UK. He has shot fiction, documentary and advertising all over the world.
His films as a DP have gone to festivals such as Sundance, Guadalajara, and Sitges and has shot ads for worldwide creative agencies. He has directed two music videos and is developing his first feature film as a director and screenwriter.
ELIZA BONEV
PRODUCER
Eliza Bonev is a Bulgarian-born actress and producer. She was cast in "Undercover" - the most successful Bulgarian TV show, released on Netflix in 2014 and distributed in a number of countries. After completing her B.A., Eliza moved to California, where she married George Nicholas. Eliza shot her first feature film in Los Angeles in 2017 - "Reel Nightmare", and most recently appeared on "S.W.A.T." on CBS.
CYRUM AYTANA RAMIREZ
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Cyrum Aytana Ramirez, originally from Cancun, Mexico, began her career in Vancouver, Canada where she studied visual arts and design.
She earned a BFA in filmmaking from the New York Film Academy and an MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory.
Based in Los Angeles, Ramirez is a student member of the Set Decorators Society of America and has been the production designer for short films, two feature films, commercials, and music videos.
Her work has been part of multiple film festivals, including Telluride and most recently the Academy Awards.
JOHN CAPPETTA
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
John Cappetta, originally from Los Angeles, spent two decades as a successful investment banker in New York and Connecticut. In 2006, he returned to his native Southern California whereupon he became active as a private equity and real estate investor and advisor.
Through Planet 9 Productions, which he founded in 2017, Mr. Cappetta provides Producer and Executive Producer services in connection with the production of major motion pictures. Planet 9 specializes in independent film and theater projects that highlight stories of diversity and inspiration, and to help bring projects from idea to production to distribution.
Notable Planet 9 Productions include Tyson's Run (2022) and A Snowy Day in Oakland (2023).
ISAAC BROWN
CASTING DIRECTOR/ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Isaac Brown is a Mexican filmmaker based in Tijuana. Since graduating from film school, he has worked in the local film industry as a production assistant, director, 1st assistant director and most notably as casting director.
As principal of Brown Casting, Isaac has helped cast feature films, short films and music videos. He is fluent in Spanish and English.
BOHOS TOPAKBASHIAN
EDITOR
Bohos Topakbashian is one of the most sought-after film and television editors in Bulgaria. He is a member of the Union of Bulgarian Film Makers since 2018 and an active Board member of its Editors guild.
Editor of 11 feature films and 9 television series.
PENKA KOUNEVA
COMPOSER
Penka Kouneva is a Bulgarian-American composer, orchestrator and soundtrack producer. In 1999, she began working in film and television and in 2009 began to score for videogames. Her music is a blend of Bulgarian influences, classical training, rock sensibility, and modern film and game soundtracks.
Kouneva has released two award-winning concept albums: The Woman Astronaut (2015, on Varèse Sarabande / Universal Music Group) and A Warrior's Odyssey (2012, on Howlin’ Wolf Records / Sumthing Else), both receiving 5-star press.
KAMEN ATANASOV
SOUND DESIGNER
Kamen Atanasov is a Bulgarian sound designer. Involved with sound design and audio post production since 2001.
Sound designer, sound mixer, and SFX editor for over 4,000 TV and radio commercials, 20 independent feature films, short movies and video games.
Designer of over 40,000 sound effects for world leading companies such as The Hollywood Edge, Sound Ideas, Soundelux, TM Studios, Omega Productions.
CARLOS FERNANDO CARRILLO
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Over the past 25 years, Carlos Fernando Carrillo has worked on international feature films, short films, Mexican telenovelas, super bowl commercials and music videos produced in Baja California, Mexico. The documentary "Baja Taste", which he produced, was an official selection at the San Sebastián Film Festival in 2016.
Carrillo is a founding faculty member of the first Mexican film school outside of Mexico City -- UDCI in Tijuana, Mexico, and a former Director of Operations for the Corto Creativo Film Festival.