Our Team

Elizabeth Rian

Executive Producer, Writer, Actor

  • Elizabeth is an actor and writer based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. She received a BFA in Theatre Performance from Chapman University and worked professionally in Los Angeles for over ten years. Her network credits include Jane the Virgin (CBS), Magnum P.I (NBC) and a Hallmark film. Elizabeth has appeared in multiple national commercials, AEA stage plays and Indie features, including the 2021 Sundance favorite, Jamojaya, directed by Justin Chon. She is passionate about contributing to local filmmaking in Honolulu.

Jana Kealohaokeakua Park

Executive Producer, Director

  • Jana is a Korean/European filmmaker who was born on O’ahu and grew up on Moloka’i. She has produced multiple short and feature films that have screened across the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and Internationally. She was the Unit Production Manager & Associate Producer of the BL (Boy Love) feature film My Partner, which won the Grand Jury Award at the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, the Audience Favorite Award at the L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival, and stars characters speaking ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Tagalog, and English. She Directed and Produced The Baby Lūʻau, a short film that screened as an Official Selection at ten international festivals, including Toyko’s largest LGBTQ film festival, and was nominated for best narrative short at the Long Beach International Film Festival.

Vince Keala Lucero

Executive Producer

  • Vince Keala Lucero grew up spear-fishing and surfing the oceans of West Oʻahu. He attended the Kamehameha Schools, and Loyola Marymount University, majoring in Film and TV, with a minor in Sociology. His senior project was a music video for the Black Eyed Peas called “Fallin’ Up."

    Returning to Hawaii, Keala founded Co Creative Studios with Scott Lee Mason. The production company produces TV, commercial, and film projects for organizations like The Kamehameha Schools, Showtime Networks, Discovery Channel and RedBull. 

    Co Creative’s feature doc, Visions in the Dark: The Life of Pinky Thompson, played nationwide on PBS. And his cinematography work on PBS series Family Ingredients: Season 2, was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. 

    As a camera operator, his recent projects include Apple TV's Chief of War, FOX's Rescue HI Surf and HBO's Ke Nui Road. He also operated on Marvel’s IMAX Inhumans, and was 2nd Unit Operator for Hawaii Five-O, NCIS HI, Magnum PI, and did feature work on Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates, Snatched and Jumanji. 

    Keala is the current Co-Executive Producer of the Merrie Monarch Festival. As a native Hawaiian filmmaker, his passion has always been to produce works that positively affect the way people think about their impact on the environment, their communities, and themselves.

Ku’ulei Ka’ili

Producer

  • Ku’ulei is a Hawaiian/Chinese/Filipino Director and Impact Producer who blends her background in nonprofit development, traditional voyaging and documentary film to share stories about identity and culture. She was the Co-Director and Producer for the award-winning feature documentary Dream Chasers: The Fit to Recover Story, highlighting health and wellness to recover from substance use disorders, and her short films have been featured by Forbes, Patagonia, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Ku’ulei was also an editor for a local YouTube channel from 2020-2021 featuring stories about food, family and foraging in Hawai’i and Alaska.

Brandon Ikaika Bernaldes

Producer

  • As a Native Hawaiian born & raised in California, Brandon moved to Hawaiʻi to establish a deeper connection with his Hawaiian roots. Brandon received a B.A. in Digital Cinema from the School of Cinematic Arts at UH Mānoa, where he first worked as a Producer on Leslie Dam’s queer love story Love in Silence, earning him the award for “Best Producer.” Brandon has since gone on to work in various production roles on Film/Television projects including: Doogie Kamealoha: Season 2, Chief of War, Lilo & Stitch, Moloka’i Bound, & Moana. He has also recently gained experience in commercial work for Rescue: HI-Surf, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaiian Airlines, Disney Aulani, & Texaco. He has previously worked as a background actor for projects such as: Hawaii 5-0, NCIS: Hawaiʻi, The Wrong Missy, & Next Goal Wins.

Taylor Gruver

Producer, Assistant Director, Editor

  • Taylor is a freelance filmmaker with experience in multiple areas of filmmaking including sound design, editing, writing, directing, and producing. After serving in the United States Coast Guard from 2009 to 2016, Taylor attended film school at City College of San Francisco. She received an Associate degree in Cinema Production and began working as a sound effects editor and assistant editor in the Bay Area. Her directorial debut short film Highway 1 won multiple awards in festivals across the country. Taylor currently lives on O’ahu and works across all aspects of production and post-production for commercials, television and feature films.

Steven Hobaica

Co-Producer

  • Steven Hobaica is a film lover on O'ahu, originally from Arizona. He is a clinical psychologist and research scientist, who primarily serves the LGBTQ+ community. In his free time, he screens independent and arthouse films for the community with Honolulu Horror Nights and runs a movie review Instagram, @StevenReviewsHorror. This year, Steven and Honolulu Horror Nights sponsored Hawai'i International Film Festival, and he regularly collaborates with local artists and filmmakers. He is passionate about all things film and is ecstatic to be included in the production of GRACE.

Anne Misawa

Director of Photography

  • Anne graduated from the University of Southern California’s Film & TV Production Program and has worked on numerous international award-winning projects namely as a Producer, Director and Cinematographer. Her recent work on features and shorts include the documentary A PARADISE LOST, (Producer, Director of Photography (“DP”); directed by Laurie Sumiye), I WAS A SIMPLE MAN, (Co-Producer, Sundance Film Festival (“FF”) 2021; directed by Christopher Makoto Yogi), REEL WAHINE 3 JOY CHONG STANNARD, (Producer, Director, awarded BEA Media Arts Festival Best in Competition Award for Microdoc, Emmy Award for series), LAST HAWAIIAN SUGAR, (Co-Producer, DP; directed by Déjà Bernhardt), and STORY GAME, (DP; directed by Jason Lau, Japan theatrical release). Her work as Director of Photography includes—feature films MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW, (directed by Shonali Bose, Sundance Institute’s Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award 2012, NETPAC award at Toronto Int. FF, Busan Int. FF, BFI London FF, 2014, 130+ film festivals, 25 awards including Best Cinematography Award at the Vancouver International Women in Film F 2015), JACK & DIANE, (directed by Bradley-Rust Gray, Tribeca FF, Locarno Int. FF, 2012), TREELESS MOUNTAIN, (directed by So Yong Kim, NETPAC award at Busan Int. FF, Toronto Int. FF, Berlin Int. FF, New Directors/ New Films, 2008, Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography Nominee, 2010), TIME OUT, (directed by Xelinda Yancy, executive produced by John Singleton, HBO Award, 2004), SALT, (directed by Bradley-Rust Gray, Caligari Award for Innovative Filmmaking at Berlin Int. FF, 2003), and LIV, (directed by Edoardo Ponti, executive produced by Robert Altman and Michelangelo Antonioni, Venice Int. FF, 1998). Producer and Directorial credits also include-- GO FOR BROKE, (Producer, Hawaiʻi Int. FF, 2017, STATE OF ALOHA, (Producer, Director, Halekulani Golden Orchid Award Nominee for Best Documentary at Hawaiʻi Int. FF, 2009), EDEN’S CURVE, (Director, Emerging Film Best Feature Award, OUTSOUTH Queer FF formerly NCGLFF, 2003), BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ FF formerly LLGFF), and WAKING MELE, (Producer, Director, Sundance FF, 2000). Editing work includes PUNKS, (Editor, directed by Patrik-Ian Polk, Sundance FF, 2000, GLAAD Media Award Nominee, 2002).  Anne teaches at the School of Cinematic Arts, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Ivy Lagodlagod

Camera Operator

  • TBD

Moana Hom

Production Designer

  • Moana Hom, a native Hawaiian Production Designer born and raised in Los Angeles, is dedicated to reconnecting with her cultural roots and promoting Hawaiian stories through her artistic work and professional experience. She has built a career in Los Angeles, art directing music videos with artists such as Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo and supporting the production design on over 100 commercials for brands such as Nike, Apple, Volkswagen, Verizon and more. Moana recently production designed the feature length Hawaiian film, Moloka’i Bound premiering at this year’s HIFF. Moana's passion for storytelling through design is a reflection of her deep commitment to both her craft and her heritage.

Jade Alexis

Costume Design

  • TBD

Shaun Wolfe

Gaffer

  • Shaun Wolfe is an award winning cinematographer and photographer. He works internationally on land, underwater, and in the skies across genres of scripted, natural history, documentary, and commercial/branded content. Shaun is most drawn to projects that speak to or impact the environmental and social issues he cares about most. You can find his work on Netflix, AppleTV, Disney+, Max, National Geographic publications, and The New Yorker among others.

Cassio Ishizu Wiehe

Assistant Camera

  • Cassio is from Brazil and recently graduated in Digital Media on Oahu, Hawaii. He loves everything about surfing, photography, nature, and creating a unique perspective through visual storytelling.

Tom Haley

Assistant Camera

  • TBD

Kim Jeffries

Grip

  • Kimberly Jeffries is a freelance underwater cinematographer, scientific diver, rebreather/freedive instructor, FAA drone pilot, and USCG 100 Ton Master Captain. Recent work includes Our Oceans on Netflix and Incredible Animal Journeys on Disney/Natgeo.

Chris Balidio

Sound

  • Chris Balidio is in constant movement. Whether it’s taking recording location sound, portraits, there is never a dull moment. Chris is a modern-day renaissance man—first being trained as an audio engineer, and later in life venturing into videography and photography.

Chris Jose

Hair & Makeup

  • TBD

Helena Chow

Hair & Makeup

  • Helena is a Makeup Artist of 15 years. She is a passionate artist that loves creating all kinds of looks. For her, it is all about creating art through makeup and making people feel amazing and special! 

Ashley Norman

Art Department Assist

  • TBD

Devin Ringor

Script Supervisor

  • Devin is a Script Supervisor born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is always seeking to improve his craft and broaden his talents. A constant student for creativity and seeks every opportunity to uplift those within his community.

Quamos Wilson

2nd Assistant Director

  • TBD

Tracy Corvo Wright

Marketing & EPK Photographer

  • Tracy specializes in celebrity-style headshots and personal branding photography from her studio in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since establishing her business in 2005, Tracy has garnered over two decades of experience in the field of portrait photography. Her expertise extends beyond traditional photography as a dedicated brand specialist. Tracy’s focus is on assisting clients in enhancing their professional image and achieving tremendous success through impactful branding photography.

Mahina Choy

BTS Photographer

  • TBD

Layla Y.

Assistant Director Intern

  • Layla Yamamoto is a Japanese/Native Hawaiian filmmaker born and raised on the island of O’ahu. She has been creating films since middle school and has directed many short films, including one starring Lilo and Stitch actor Kaipo Dudoit. Layla is currently a student at Mid-Pacific School of the Arts and has been enrolled in a Film Production class for the past three years.

Leeana Rego

Wardrobe Assistant

  • Leeana is a wardrobe and styling professional with a passion for bringing characters to life through clothing. She recently worked on the short film Grace, where she helped shape the visual storytelling through costume and styling. Leeana loves collaborating with creative teams, paying attention to the details that make a character feel real, and learning more with each project. Excited for what’s next in her journey in the film industry!

Alana Fickes

BTS Photographer

  • TBD

Deb Glazier

BTS Photographer

  • Deborah Glazier is a regional Emmy® award-winning filmmaker based in Kailua, Hawaii.  Her experience as a producer/writer/director has spanned two continents and includes several award-winning projects that have appeared in festivals nationally and internationally.

Aleta Hammerich

BTS Photographer

  • TBD

Cheryl Noelani Ho

Director Intern

  • Cheryl is a Native Hawaiian actor, mother, and former Mrs. Hawaii. She began her acting career as a teen on the network TV show Beyond the Break. Since then, Cheryl has helped create multiple 48-hour and 72-hour films through Hawai’i Filmmakers Collective and starred in the award winning music video “Who’s that Girl” by Josh Tatofi. She continues her studies at ZA Studio as she advances her acting and directing career. 

Nickoma Rangihuna Ing

Production Design Intern

  • Nickoma Rangihuna Ing is a versatile and experienced film and theater professional with a solid foundation in acting, dance and production. Originally from New Zealand born and raised, She has built an extensive portfolio across film, television, theater, and commercial productions, showcasing a dynamic range of skills and dedication to the craft. 

    Nickoma is also an accomplished performer with extensive experience in Polynesian cultural arts. As a former lead professional dancer at Hawaiiʻs Polynesian Cultural Center, she has showcased the cultures of Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand in celebrated productions like Horizons and HA: Breath of Life. 

Keanu L.

Cinematography Intern

  • TBD

Pawel Nuckowski

Poster Design

  • TBD