LEILANI DOWNER – Writer, Producer, & Director
LEILANI DOWNER has written for several Hollywood network television sit-coms including A DIFFERENT WORLD for NBC, and GOOD NEWS for The CW. She was Executive Story Editor for ABC’s GROWING PAINS, and was a producer on HANGIN’ WITH MR. COOPER on ABC, FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR on NBC, SISTER, SISTER on the WB and REWIND for FOX. In addition, Leilani has written pilots for FOX and NBC. Her other credits include working on the Moody Broadcasting Network radio drama, Proclaim! and writing stand-up material that appears on down-home, comedian Chonda Pierce’s ON HER SOAPBOX video and album which was taped live at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee for Word Records, a division of Word Entertainment. Leilani currently writes screenplays. She has written a wide range of independent films from comedy to sci-fi. She Executive Produced the award winning short film PIE ‘N BURGER, and annually judges and presents for the 168 Film Project and Festival. THE ARRANGEMENT is her directorial debut.
THOMAS DEASON – Producer, Fools Errand Entertainment
THOMAS DEASON is a producer, pilot, and executive management consultant who left his position with Alaska Airlines’ management team in 2005 to pursue an entertainment industry career. In addition to his work with Grammnet Productions (A Twentieth Century Fox subsidiary) and Hero Pictures, his credits include Revolution Of Hope, a documentary about Romanian orphans, as well as a number of commercials and award‐winning short films like Mosca Amor (Seattle International Film Festival official selection), Jaded (seven‐time worldwide festival winner), Pie ‘N’ Burger (Mosaic Film Festival winner) and FooL4LuV (City Of The Angels New Filmmaker Showcase winner). In 2007, he founded Fool’s Errand Entertainment with his wife and professional partner, Lauri. They are currently in development on three feature film projects, a web series, and a recording project to benefit International Justice Mission. Thom also enjoys mentoring others who share his passion for social justice and quality, thought provoking entertainment. He co‐founded The Ransom Project, an initiative that unites artists and abolitionists in the fight against human trafficking; and he currently serves as the Board Chairman for We Can Pediatric Brain Tumor Support Network as well as a member of the Azusa Pacific University Film Advisory Board and a development board for a Los Angeles area inner city school. A graduate of LeTourneau University, Thom currently lives in Los Angeles.
JULIA SWAIN – Cinematographer
Specializing in the cinematic, JULIA SWAIN is an award winning cinematographer based out of Los Angeles, CA, who is dedicated to creating stunning visuals for the screen. She is one of the few and talented MFA cinematography candidates at the prestigious UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, having already shot many narrative films, commercials and television shows throughout her career. With an extensive background in both television and movies, Julia shoots for a variety of genres. She has also served as 2nd Unit DP to the talented Robert Kirbyson on films including the feature thriller Red Line which had its world premiere at the San Diego Film Festival and won. She's also won Best Cinematography for films including Providence. For Julia, cinematography will always be a crucial element in elevating a story.