Isabelle CarbonellDirector/Cinematographer/Editor
Isabelle Carbonell is a documentary photographer and documentary filmmaker whose determination to give a voice to the voiceless has driven her to document political, social, and environmental injustices around the world. When filming, she becomes her environment — sleeping, eating, and breathing with those she is focusing on, transcending the divide between observer and subject easily. With all the ambitions of an artist, she also employs her rigorous academic training as a researcher to produce an in–depth reportage. As a result, her documentary films and photos try to reveal a deeply complex social understanding while still offering an exquisite artistic vision.
Unique in her perspectives and methods, she also comes from a wide cultural background as half-Belgian and half-Uruguayan. Based out of Washington D.C., she graduated from the Residential College at the University of Michigan with degrees in Environmental and Social Science, Photography and Filmmaking. Her documentary skills have taken her to countries such as India, Qatar, Cuba, Mexico, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Nepal, Kazakhstan, and Nicaragua.
Olivia AbtahiRough Cut Editor
Olivia hails from Washington, DC. Born to an Iranian father and an Argentine mother, Olivia is a melting pot of clashing cultures. She is a BFA Honors graduate of NYU’s school for Film and Television, and enjoys comedic and experimental short films, especially music videos, and of course documentaries.
Richard DeanAssistant Cinematographer
Award winning editor, director, and sound designer, Richard Dean, has over fifteen years experience in broadcast production, cinematography and sound recording. His media projects include Posta Boy of BET’s 106 & Park, Universal Records, Inc., and Starz Network, Hip Hop Raw. His impressive body of work includes films for the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, the US Marine Corps, and the US Navy; he has done work for three US Presidents, Clinton, Bush, and Obama. Dean was editor and sound designer for two major World War II documentaries: An Untold Triumph and Choc’late Soldiers from the USA.
Mark SwiderskiSound Composer and Editor
Mark Swiderski is a Michigan native who now resides in Chicago, IL. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S in both electrical and sound engineering as well as an M.S. in electrical engineering. He is an independent musician, composer, and sound engineer who also works for Shure Inc. designing professional audio equipment. His music has been featured in several films, most notably the Illumine Productions documentary "Ocean Monk". He has also recorded several solo albums of original music and enjoys listening to anything that is willing to make a sound.
Fernanda RossiStory Consultant
Fernanda Rossi has doctored over 300 documentaries, fiction scripts and work samples, including two Academy Award nominees. She has been invited to give presentations and seminars for major world conferences and organizations such as HotDocs, Sheffield Doc/Fest, and SilverDOCS. Her columns and articles have been published in trade publications like The Independent, Documentary Magazine, and many others. She is also the author of the book that, according to industry professionals is the bible on demo production: Trailer Mechanics: A Guide to Making your Documentary Fundraising Demo.