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David Gidali - Director
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Since grade school, David used computer generated elements to support and enhance stories. After his service in the Israeli Air Force, he joined a small animation studio as a technical supervisor, leading teams of animators working on TV shows, commercials and promos. He studied at the Sam Spiegel Film School in Jerusalem. While being at AFI, he continued to work part time on computer generated content, including an animated feature film produced in Berlin. His short film Secular Quarter #3, shot by DP Itay Gross, won 1st place in a film contest with an international jury that included Avatar producer Jon Landau and Director Wim Wenders. It attracted international attention for its political message and striking visuals. |
Avi Quijada - Producer
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Born in the small town of El Tigre-Venezuela, her family was very adept to the Sci-fi genre. It came natural for her to become a storyteller. She was 11 when she began making movies with her father's broken Handycam after taking some acting classes. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from UCAB Caracas, and has worked in diverse production ventures from feature films, TV, new media and websites, for independent producers and companies such as HBO, including XFN Productions, where she currently functions as Principal. While at AFI, she received the "Josef and Olga Auerbach Scholarship" in recognition of her talent and academic achievement at the conservatory. In addition to Europa, she produced a 2nd thesis short film titled Just Like Her. |
Itay Gross - Cinematographer
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Itay received an MFA in Cinematography from AFI in Los Angeles in 2011. He holds a BFA in Film and TV Production and Art and Public Policy from NYU Tisch School of the Arts where he graduated in 2006. Between 2003-Present Itay worked in the US and Israel as a DP and camera operator for prime time network TV shows for companies such as HBO and NBC, feature films, documentaries, commercials and music videos. Itay is a union cinematographer of the Israeli Association of Cinema and Television (ACT). In 2010, SECULAR QUARTER #3, a sci-fi short Itay shot, won the first prize at the “2010 Jerusalem International 2111 SFX competition” and was noted by wired.com, Ruters, CNN and more. EXCISION, a Drama Horror feature Itay shot in summer 2011, starring Annalynn McCord, Tracy Lords, John Waters, Ariel Winter, Roger Bart, Malcolm McDowell and more, has Premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2012. Itay’s work has been displayed at festivals both in the US and worldwide. He lives and works in Los Angeles. |
Greg Goldman - Editor
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Greg has been studying film and practicing filmmaking for over ten years. His studies at the nation's top film schools, including Columbia, UCLA, USC, and AFI, have given him a detailed knowledge of film history, theory, and practice. Having focused exclusively on editing since 2006, Greg approaches his craft with a strong narrative, dramatic, visual, and musical sensibility. In addition to narrative films, Greg has experience working in documentary, music video, and unscripted forms. While at AFI, besides Europa, he completed a second thesis short film, titled Dead Man's Hand. |
Goose - Production Designer
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Goose graduated from the Transportation Design department at Art Center Pasadena without ever designing a car, preferring instead to draw dark and twisted things. After graduating he was a Visdev apprentice at Walt Disney Animation Studios working on Rapunzel, Princess and The Frog as well as other projects. He's also freelanced for Rhythm and Hues, Yu and CO, Penn Film AB and Brain Zoo Studios among others. While at AFI, he was the Production Designer and Art Director of numerous and remarkable projects that enhanced the story with rich visuals. Most of the time, he can be found in his dark cave drawing nightmarish things, making taxidermy sculptures or welding up stuff for his old motorcycles. |
Joe Aaron - Screenwriter
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Joe worked in television for many years including stints at the Children's Television Workshop, HBO, Cinemax, Comedy Central and E! Entertainment. He is a co-creator of Disney's Doug and co-author of children's book Doug's Big Shoe Disaster. He is the writer, producer and director of the feature film Crazy Jones that aired on the Showtime Network and won the "Audience Choice Best Feature" at Cinequest International Film Festival. Joe just completed the MFA program in Screenwriting at AFI and was the student speaker of the class of 2011. |