CAST
Jack Edwards (Aaron) - This is Jack’s first feature film and he is really enjoying the experience. Jack has been doing professional theater since he was eight years old. He has performed in Mary Page Marlowe at Steppenwolf, A Christmas Story at Theater at the Center, and Plainsong at Signal Ensemble. When not acting he enjoys computer coding, solving Rubik’s cubes, stumping everybody with math problems and long-distance running.
Adam Nimer (Hami) - Adam is a 15 year old Singer/Actor from Chicago IL. His previous work consists of starring in musicals and commercials. He was also chosen to participate in the Lyric Opera of Chicago Songwriting workshop program.
Heidi Drennan (Aaron's Mother) - Heidi is a long-time Chicago voice-over and on-camera talent. Her voice can be heard in computer games, radio and television commercials, educational videos, and audiobooks. On camera, credits include television, commercials, and co-star appearances on Chicago PD and Empire. She has also worked on some fantastic independent short films over the past couple of years and is thrilled to be a part of Green Summer with its amazing cast and crew!
FILMMAKERS
WRITER/DIRECTOR - Damon Griffin was born and raised in New England. He graduated from Columbia College Chicago’s Filmmaking Master’s program in 2016. His work spans the boundaries of narrative and experimental film styles, and has shown at venues including Videology (Brooklyn, NY) and Chicago Filmmakers. His short film “Lane” has been nominated for awards at the Chicago Horror and American Horrors Film Festivals. He lives in Chicago.Green Summer is his first feature.
COMPOSER - Miguel Bezanilla is a composer & Orchestrator from Seville, Spain. He is currently based in Los Angeles. He has worked on productions in both the U.S and in Spain, including the Academy-award winning Disney-Pixar movie Coco, for which he was an arranger and orchestrator, and as the arranger and programmer for the animated feature The Nut Job 2. In addition to Green Summer, he is at present working as the main composer for the feature documentary film Trifecta, by director Carlos Aguilar.
PRODUCER - Originally from Washington D.C., Andrew is a producer who splits his time between indie development and overseeing physical production. With a BA in Cinema and Television Arts from Columbia College Chicago, his projects have screened in festivals across the US. He currently is overseeing projects while working for several entertainment companies including Lionsgate, DMG Entertainment, and HBO.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER - Samia Malik is a screenwriter, production designer, and architect fused into one multifaceted creative mind. She has a Masters in Architecture from the University of Illinois and over 10 years of experience in Graphic Design. Recently, Malik has been moving towards transforming her six years of experience in community development and urban planning into a career in Production Design.
CINEMATOGRAPHER - Karl El Sokhn was born and raised in Lebanon. He moved to Chicago to form himself as a filmmaker primarily. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Cinematography from Columbia College Chicago, he started pursuing an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction Writing. Karl’s work is steeped in spirituality and discussions about longing, belonging, displacement, and religion. His essays and films are attempts at catalyzing thought-provoking conversations regarding the meta cinematic quality of lyrical and formal approaches to the medium. His projects have varied in style and genre.