Saila Kariat
Saila Kariat is a filmmaker, writer, and entrepreneur who began her career as an electrical engineer and builder while pursuing her passion for storytelling. After earning a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, she worked as an engineer, manager, and marketeer at IBM and a start-up, and later founded the residential construction company Mukti Properties. In parallel, she studied film at San Jose State University, graduating as valedictorian of the class of 2008.
Saila wrote, directed, and co-produced The Valley, the story of an entrepreneur seeking answers after his daughter’s suicide. It portrays the alienation, anxiety, and depression that stem from an unforgiving quest for success. The film screened at twenty festivals worldwide, winning Best Feature at four, and was invited to the prestigious Mumbai Film Festival.
As a hands-on independent filmmaker, Saila has been deeply involved in every stage of production. She raised financing for both The Valley and Jesus Land through private investors and has overseen pre-production, production, and post-production. Her responsibilities have spanned location scouting, casting, crew management, navigating SAG requirements, to directing, editing, collaborating with sound and music teams, and handling bookkeeping and tax preparation. Having managed at a major corporation and run her own small business for eight years, she brings strong leadership and organizational expertise to her film work.
Saila lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and is the proud mother of two grown daughters - one an artist and the other a musician.
Director, Writer, Producer
Andrea Batista is originally from Berlin but immigrated to the United States in 1990. She was originally working in the legal industry but has since focused her energies on entrepreneurial endeavors and investing in those companies and ideas about which she is most passionate about.
Her dedication to the arts and conservation is particularly evident in her efforts to protect turtles, often traveling to support these vulnerable creatures.
She executive-produced For the Love of George, The Wedding Invitation, The Valley, and most recently Lilly. Andrea is an avid traveler and has been to over 70 countries. She completed the arduous hike to the Everest Base Camp last year.
She is the mother of an incredible, handsome son, Julien, a Director of Business Development working in San Francisco.
Jesus Land is Andrea’s first foray into producing.
Producer
Andrea Batista
Julia Scheeres is an American journalist and nonfiction author known for her compelling explorations of personal trauma, societal systems, and historical tragedies. Born in Lafayette, Indiana, she grew up as one of six siblings, including two adopted Black brothers, which profoundly influenced her writing and worldview. She graduated with a B.A. in Spanish from Calvin College in Michigan and later earned an M.A. in Print Journalism from the University of Southern California. Scheeres spent four years in Valencia, Spain, working as a translator and English teacher before moving to Los Angeles, where she worked for the Los Angeles Times and other publications, She's written three books - Jesus Land, A Thousand Lives and Listen, World! How the Intrepid Elsie Robinson Became America's Most-Read Woman.
Consultant
Julia Scheeres
Valentina Caniglia ASC
Valentina Caniglia is an award-winning Italian American cinematographer renowned for her distinctive visual style and innovative approach to storytelling. Born in Naples, Italy, she relocated to London and later to New York City, where she graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in film production. Since 2001, Caniglia has worked across the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, contributing to feature films, TV series, commercials, and music videos. Her notable works include Pomegranates and Myrrh, which won the Golden Dagger for Best Cinematography at the Muscat Film Festival and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival; Madeline’s Oil, which earned her the Best Cinematography award at the Louisiana International Film Festival; and Adieu Lacan, which received the Global Film Festival Award for Best Cinematography. She has also worked on acclaimed TV series such as The Stand and The Captain, directed by Randy Wilkins and executive produced by Spike Lee. Caniglia's commercial work includes campaigns for brands like British Airways, Ford, Nike, and Dove. In recognition of her contributions to the field, she was selected by the ASC Vision Committee to receive the prestigious ASC Vision Mentorship Award. Fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish, Caniglia is a member of the European Federation of Cinematographers (IMAGO).
Director of Photography
Jane Choi Albanez
Jane Choi Albanez is a seasoned film and television editor with over 30 credits spanning scripted series, reality TV, and documentaries. She is best known for her work on the acclaimed series American Born Chinese (2023) and Happy Endings (2011–2012). Her extensive experience includes editing episodes for The Wonder Years (2021–2023), Andi Mack (2017–2019), and The Big Show (2020). Choi has also contributed to reality television, editing shows such as Dating #NoFilter (2019), Gold Medal Families (2016), and Jep & Jessica: Growing the Dynasty (2016). Her diverse portfolio showcases her adaptability and skill across various genres and formats.
Editor
Jacob Yoffee is an American composer and music producer based in Los Angeles, known for his versatile work across feature films, television, and concert music. He has scored over twenty feature films, including Pawn (2013) starring Forest Whitaker and Ray Liotta, and A Resurrection (2013) featuring Mischa Barton. In television, he has composed for Disney Channel’s Andi Mack, MTV’s Finding Carter, and the Amazon Prime docuseries Free Meek. Yoffee has also contributed to high-profile film trailers, such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Jungle Book. His music blends orchestral, jazz, and contemporary styles, delivering emotional depth and cinematic energy across all media.
Composer
Jacob Yoffee
Julie Toche is a seasoned production designer and art department professional based in Biloxi, Mississippi. With a career spanning various roles - including production designer, art director, set dresser, and makeup artist - she has contributed to numerous film and television projects. Notably, Toche served as the production designer for the action drama The Getback (2023), the supernatural thriller From Black (2023), and the horror film Demigod (2021). Her other credits include set decoration for The Vanished (2020), art direction for Hallowed Ground (2019), and production design for Film Club: Cornbread Cosa Nostra (2018). Toche's diverse skill set and experience make her a versatile asset in the film industry.
Production Designer
Julie Toche
Ashley Heathcock is a seasoned costume designer known for her work in both television and film. She has contributed to various productions, including Jesus Land, Night Comes, and Magnum P.I. Heathcock's career began in fashion design, and she has since expanded her expertise to include costume design for various media. Her work on Magnum P.I. was featured in a 2020 article by Aloha Fun Wear, highlighting her contributions to the show's costume design. Additionally, she has designed specialty costumes in Canada and Mexico, showcasing her versatility in different cultural contexts. Heathcock's diverse experience and international work have established her as a respected professional in the costume design industry.
Costume Designer
Ashley Heathcock
Adrienne Stern is an Emmy Award-winning casting director with over two decades of experience in film, television, and commercial casting. Her work has been featured at prestigious film festivals including Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, Tribeca, Berlin, and South by Southwest. Notable film credits include Broken English, Adrift in Manhattan, The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, The Believer, and Thirteen Conversations About One Thing. In television, Stern is recognized for casting the New York edition of That '70s Show, where she discovered Ashton Kutcher. She has also worked on Welcome to Greenpoint for FX and Cop Show, starring Colin Quinn. Her commercial casting portfolio includes campaigns for Dove's Real Beauty, La Mer, Samsung, American Express, and Kool-Aid. Stern served as the casting director for the New York Sundance Writers Lab Reading Series from 1996 to 2005 and has been involved in various film festival juries and selection committees. She is a member of BAFTA, the Casting Society of America (CSA), and New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT).
Casting Director
Adrienne Stern CSA
Eva Reed
Eva Reed (born Eva Laura Guy) is a Licensed Cosmetologist and esteemed hairstylist with over a decade of experience in the beauty and entertainment industries. As a proud member of IATSE Local 798, she has lent her styling expertise to high-profile productions and media outlets in both New Orleans and New York City, including work as a Hair and Makeup Artist (HMUA) for FOX News Media. Originally from Los Angeles, Eva relocated to New Orleans in 1989, where she built her legacy in hairstyling before expanding her reach across the nation
Hair
Tiffanie Hudson
Tiffanie Hudson is a distinguished makeup artist with over 17 years of expertise in the beauty industry, serving clients across the Gulf Coast from Pensacola, Mobile, and New Orleans. Specializing in film, television, weddings, special events, runway, print, and high-definition makeup, she brings both creative talent and technical precision to every assignment. A proud member of IATSE Local 798, Tiffanie excels in on-set makeup effects, prosthetics, and glamour styling for a variety of media and events. Always adaptable and passionate, she continues to blend artistry with professional excellence.
Makeup
Lisa Riley is a seasoned line producer known for her work in the film industry. She has contributed to several notable projects, including Kill 'Em All (2017), Truth or Dare (2017), and An L.A. Minute (2018). Riley's expertise in coordinating various aspects of production has made her a valuable asset to the teams she collaborates with. Her work reflects a commitment to delivering high quality productions efficiently and effectively.
Line Producer
Lisa Riley
Tony Urgo is a feature film editor, colorist, and post production finisher with over two decades of experience in independent films, commercials, and industrial video. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he brings both technical mastery and creative vision to every project and thrives in collaborative environments. Tony’s background includes work in the editorial departments of numerous productions, collaborating across diverse roles with fluency in both narrative rhythm and visual tone. ProductionHub. Whether leading complex edits or fine-tuning color grading, his reputation for exceeding expectations continues to make him a trusted professional in the industry.
Post Production Supervisor
Tony Urgo
Bijan Sharifi
Bijan Sharifi is a versatile audio professional based in Berkeley, California, specializing in sound design, re-recording mixing, and mastering. With a background in music and over 15 years of experience, he has contributed to a diverse array of projects across film, music, and interactive media.
Sound Designer/Mixer