Cast & Crew
NICK PUGA
“DIEGO DIAZ”
Chilean-American actor/writer/producer Nick Puga was raised in Miami, FL where he studied acting at Florida International University and New World School of the Arts. Nick’s first break came shortly after moving to Los Angeles when after a nationwide search he was cast to co-star with Christina Aguilera in a bilingual Coca-Cola ad campaign.
He then turned heads with his dramatic portrayal of Tommy in the award-winning short Eating, which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. His film credits include Steven Spielberg’s The Terminal and Steven Soderburgh’s Oceans 13, and he has appeared on hit television shows such as Fox’s House and CW’s Veronica Mars.
Nick’s versatility has allowed him to be involved in a variety of projects: he garnered attention with his comedic music video PPL B TXT’N 2MUCH, which caught the eye of MTV execs and won several awards on the short film festival circuit, he lent his voice to the Adult Swim series Minoriteam, and has worked as a producer on four episodes of MTV’s Emmy Award winning series True Life. Nick has also enjoyed success as a commercial actor; he has starred in several high profile Super Bowl ads and major national campaigns alongside the likes of Dennis Haysbert, T-Pain, Glenn Dorsey, Nick Price, Bear Grylls, Jon Lovitz and most recently Matthew Broderick in the Super Bowl commercial Matthew’s Day Off. Additionally, Nick finished work on the pilot episode of the upcoming ABC series Apartment 23 and through his production company, Popa Zuza Pictures, is currently producing and starring in an original TV pilot set to be completed this summer. His reel may be viewed at: www.nickpuga.com
EDY GANEM
“MARIANA DIAZ”
Edy Ganem was born in Modesto, California. She was raised in Mexico and has two younger brothers. This Mexican/Lebanese descent actress moved to Los Angeles after graduating with two degrees from the prestigious University of San Diego. Her resume includes several Independent Feature Films, TV Series, and shorts films like: “The Land of the Astronauts” with David Arquette and Vivica Fox – directed by Carl Colpaert (Drama), “The Loneliest Road in America” directed by Mardana Mayginnes (western comedy/drama), “Box of Shadows” – directed by Mauro Borrelli (Sci-Fi thriller), “The Way to Happiness” directed by Taron Lexton, “Lola’s Love Shack” directed by Patrick Perez (Comedy)
Edy’s TV series “Livin’ Loud” was in the TV Festival of Cannes and it was recently released in networks of Australia and New Zealand. In her free time, Edurne works with students from schools like AFI and NYFA and has been part of several short films including the lead roles in the AFI dramatic thesis film “Lucha”and the gothic horror film titled “Violeta.”
Edy had worked with world renowned directors like Academy Award Errol Morris and her on-camera and print resume also includes advertising campaigns for brands like: Verizon, Honda, Target, Six Flags, Flip, KFC, Skechers, Wells Fargo, Wanted by Jesse McCartney, Bacardi, McDonald’s, Budlight, Motorola, Apple, among others.
Up next, Edy will be seen in Lifetime’s Devious Maids, created by Marc Cherry, portraying the role of “Valentina Del Barrio.”
Edy has lived in San Diego, Barcelona and in several cities of Mexico. She enjoys traveling, sports, dance, photography, music, literature, food, and spending time with her family and friends. Her reel may be viewed here.
KANDIS ERICKSON
“VANESSA”
Kandis began acting in high school plays, but her passion extended beyond “The Crucible” and “How to Succeed in Business.“ Since graduating Kandis has taken her talents to TV and film.
Her TV credits include; CSI: NY, Cold Case, Criminal Minds and House. Her film credits include Mark L. Smith’s (writer of Vacancy) directorial debut, “Séance,“ released by Lionsgate and the yet to be released Joe Dante Produced, “Trail of Blood.“ Kandis took on the role of a girl dealing with Borderline Personality Disorder in the relationship drama “Love You More” written and directed by James Mixon.
Kandis has also found a role behind the camera as a producer. Her short films, “Redemption Song” and “Tom’s War on Terror,” garnered many awards on the festival circuit. She is currently in development on a feature screenplay she’s written and studying improv at UCB LA. She is currently repped by Greater Vision Artists (GVA) and Armada Partners in Los Angeles.
Her most recent starring role is in the indie film “I Am Not A Hipster” directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. She is also starring in “Farah Goes Bang,” premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
RIC VON MAUR
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Ric von Maur was hooked on film the moment he picked up a Super 8 camera as a boy, but it was many years later when he decided to make a career in independent filmmaking. He began writing in 2008 and completed his first independent film, “Wind Jammers,” in 2010. “Wind Jammers” is a family comedy about an American family who relocates to the Bahamas. Ric co-wrote, co-produced and co-directed the film which was shot entirely on location in the Bahamas. Ric read “After the Wedding” and fell in love with the Latin vibes, colorful characters and it’s love story. Ric continues to look for opportunities in interesting independent film projects. He is currently writing his next feature, which he hopes to film in 2013. He lives with his wife, Doreen, and their children in Nassau, Bahamas.
CLAUDIA CIFUENTES
WRITER | DIRECTOR | PRODUCER
Claudia Cifuentes is a New York-based writer, director and producer of Guatemalan descent. A graduate of NYU’s prestigious film program, Claudia Cifuentes began her career in Los Angeles as an apprentice to acclaimed director Michael Mann, the creator behind such hits as Miami Vice and Heat.
Inspired by his auteur-style of filmmaking, she eventually moved back to New York to hone her own personal writing and directing style. She has since created numerous music videos, commercials and short-format films including Rivington Kids, a series of shorts developed through the IFP and recognized for accurately capturing the zeitgeist of twenty-somethings in New York.
Determined to continue her quest of making personal, high-integrity films for the masses, up next she will direct her first feature-length film shooting in her hometown of Miami. Filming is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2012. Her work may be viewed at: www.pinkforestfilms.com
LISA CIFUENTES
PRODUCER
Lisa Cifuentes is a producer with a background in public relations + event planning. Her enthusiasm for art, music and storytelling are at the core of what drives her work, whether it is producing music videos, short films, art shows, or corporate initiatives.
In addition to co-owning and executive producing Pink Forest Films, Lisa also works with Bluebeard Productions where she has produced music videos for Yes Giantess and Bottle Up and Go, commercial videos for Alexandra Grecco and Malibu Rum, as well as several independent short films. Before working in film production, Lisa was a publicist at The Thomas Collective, where her clients included Chivas Regal, Wild Turkey Bourbon, the Wines of Chile and the wine portfolio of Pernod Ricard USA. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
KARINA CIFUENTES
PRODUCER
Karina Cifuentes is a writer, director and producer living in Brooklyn, New York. Karina began her careerat the early age of 15, working in the costume department of Bad Boys II, directed by Michael Bay. This led to greater positions working in the music video and commercial industry for award-winning production companies such as Partizan (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and Ridley Scott’s RSA Films (American Gangster) where she was inspired to begin her directing career.
In the summer of 2010, Karina directed a video lookbook for emerging designer Alexandra Grecco, which has since received nearly 20k views on Vimeo alone. More recently, she directed a live-performance series for NY based band, KNTRLR, signed to Goodnight Records. In addition to several music videos and fashion lookbooks she has lined up for this year, Karina is also currently writing, Sofia + Lucia, her first feature film about sisterhood.
ALEX MARTINEZ
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Alex Martinez is an independent filmmaker living in Downtown Los Angeles. After graduating from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in 2003, he has gone on to produce several of the highest rated reality shows for networks such as CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS. Some of his credits include “DEAL OR NO DEAL”, “ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER”, “JUDGE JUDY”, and the Peabody award winning “A PLACE OF OUR OWN”. Alex is currently in post-production on “THE MENTOR”, a feature length documentary he wrote and directed about film historian and itinerant projectionist, Joe Rinaudo.
CHRISSY FIORILLI
CASTING DIRECTOR
Chrissy Fiorilli has extensive experience in film, television and commercials, having most recently worked on the first season of The Good Wife, and the upcoming feature film The Kitchen, starring Jena Malone. She also cast a short film entitled Katya for Director Mako Kamitsuna, which will premiere at the 2011 Palm Springs International Shortfest. Her other credits include the films The Men Who Stare at Goats, Did You Hear About The Morgans, The Pink Panther 2, The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2, pilots for 90210, How to Make It In America, and Suburgatory, the Black20.com web series, and commercials for Apple, Verizon Fios, and Time Warner Cable. She just joined Liz Lewis Casting Partners as a Casting Director, and lives in sunny Los Angeles.
CHARLIE DAVIS
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Charlie Davis is a musician, DJ and music industry professional living in Brooklyn. His work includes past stints at major labels, indie labels, music publishers and a vinyl manufacturer. At age 15, Charlie began began his musical exploits which have included (but not limited to): Opening up for 80′s new wave 2-hit wonders Missing Persons, shaking James Brown’s hand, having a philosophical conversation with Rick James, and getting a compliment from a guy in Jane’s Addiction. At the heart of all his endeavors, Charlie believes there are fewer things more powerful and effective than the meeting-point between a perfect song and its correspondingly perfect moment in time. With this in mind, Charlie has worked in and around the sync licensing world since 2006, and continues to make people excited about songs on a daily basis.
ADVISORY BOARD
G. Mac Brown, Producer (SOMEWHERE, PUBLIC ENEMIES, AUSTRALIA), Carol Cuddy, Producer (REMEMBER ME, THE OTHER WOMAN, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED), Jonathan Kadin, SVP of Production (COLUMBIA PICTURES), Anthony Katagas (THE NEXT THREE DAYS, DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS?), Rob Striem, Location Manager (IT’S COMPLICATED, THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE, I AM LEGEND), Jaydee Freixas, Producer (MAGIC CITY MEMOIRS), LynnAnn Klotz, ESQ
