Haylee is a Chapman University graduate with a degree in Screenwriting and a minor in Documentary Film. She is currently pursuing certification as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, blending her love of storytelling with a deep commitment to accessibility and communication.

As a writer, Haylee is passionate about crafting feature films that explore themes of female friendship, family history, and resilience—finding joy even in life's most challenging moments. Beyond writing, she has produced and directed documentary shorts, including A Cut Above, which follows a female competitor carving out her place in the equestrian sport of Cutting.

Haylee's passion for film and ASL has found the perfect intersection in the work CFA does. She is thrilled to be part of this incredible team, continuing to learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful storytelling.

Yaroslav Altunin is a Russian-born, Seattle-bred, bilingual screenwriter and director who explores themes of generational trauma and unrequited love through grounded science fiction and action-packed thrillers. His work is heavily inspired by 20th-century sci-fi, his childhood as a ballet dancer, and his upbringing during the fall of communism in the Soviet Union.

As co-creator and host of the INDIEWOOD Podcast, Yaroslav talks with indie filmmakers and industry professional to explore the craft of independent films and the many hats creatives have to wear to get those films made.

He is also the program director of the INDIEWOOD Screenwriting Fund (ISF), a program created to help emerging writers submit to top-tier screenplay competitions and foster a community to help them grow as creatives. Without worrying about the barrier of admission costs, screenwriters from can now focus on showcasing their creative work first.

Desiree is a seasoned Executive Assistant with over five years of experience supporting high-level executives globally, including clients in the US, UK, and Australia. Since 2019, she has excelled in managing daily operations, streamlining workflows, and mastering client communication, proposal development, and vendor coordination.

Recently, Desiree has expanded her professional scope into content writing. While she is passionate about her writing pursuits, she also aims to leverage her administrative skills in website maintenance and the creation of well-researched content to support and empower the CFA team.

Len is a flexible and tech-savvy Virtual Executive Assistant with five years of experience ensuring seamless operations in fast-paced, mission-focused settings. With a solid foundation in administrative support, calendar coordination, e-commerce tools, and social media management, she serves as a vital behind-the-scenes partner for busy teams.

Whether managing CEO calendars, handling customer inquiries, coordinating virtual meetings, or overseeing Shopify and social media accounts, Len seamlessly juggles multiple responsibilities with ease. She has a knack for anticipating needs, troubleshooting issues on the fly, and putting efficient systems in place to streamline workflows and save valuable time.

Recognized for her strong problem-solving abilities and sharp organizational skills, she consistently keeps projects moving forward and ensures every detail is accounted for. Her composure under pressure and keen eye for detail make her a reliable asset to both leaders and teams. She excels in collaborative environments, bringing structure, enthusiasm, and forward momentum to every initiative she joins.

Marc Lester Dela Peña is a versatile and skillful video editor with a passion for storytelling through film. He has worked on a wide range of projects, from organizational collaborations to independent productions, showcasing his adaptability and creative approach to editing. With experience both in editing and filming, Marc brings a unique perspective that allows him to shape raw footage into compelling narratives. For him, editing is more than a profession—it's a lifelong passion and a way to bring ideas to life on screen.

Bre's journey in the industry began in the art departments of blockbuster films like "The Amazing Spiderman", "Water for Elephants", "Iron Man 2" and "Django Unchained." Transitioning to acting, she studied at exclusive Los Angeles studios and has since had roles in Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood", Aaron Sorkin's "Being the Ricardos", and Adam McKay's "Don't Look Up".

Bre's extensive involvement both in front of and behind the camera helps her connect with the needs of our community and company partners.

Floriane is a bilingual French actress and filmmaker. She trained at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Annecy, and graduated from the prestigious Cours Florent in Paris and EMCAM in Marseille.

Highlights of her film credits include the role of Natalie in "Shiddat" directed by Kunal Deshmukh, and the recurring role of Chloé in the hit Series "Elite Squad" (TF1). She could also be seen as Katherine, in the highly acclaimed Antic Disposition production of "Henry V", which toured all over England and France.

Floriane is also a director and screenwriter, who focuses on crafting female-empowering narratives. She founded the all-female production company, Artak Pictures, made up of an international ensemble of female actors, directors, and producers. She won an award for best directing at the Burbank International Film Festival for her film "Unforgotten".

Tim Smith has been recognized for his contribution within the film and television industry over a significant period. At the forefront of the transition from traditional filmmaking to digital content creation, Tim's role as an ambassador for Canon has been integral to the major changes in our digital transformation and in the democratization of the art form.

A role he continues in his current position as Executive Director for Angenieux Americas, a leading manufacturer of high end Cinema lens with a history dating back to the 1950s. His role in this digital evolution has been to devise strategies that embrace the future of storytelling while holding on to the traditions of the past. Tim also holds an associate membership in the American Society of Cinematographers.

John's career spans over thirty years during which he has worked in nearly every aspect of filmmaking, including cinematography, visual effects, writing, producing and directing. He won an Emmy Award in 1995 for his visual effects work on Star Trek: Voyager, and has supervised or produced visual effects on such wide ranging projects as Hunger Games, Oceans 8 and Iron Man.

As a filmmaker, John has a passion for story and character, and enjoys examining the deeper side of the human psyche in his films. John is currently developing feature and episodic content under his Bigfoot Robot banner while working with Blackmagic Design as the Manager of Hollywood Public Relations.