Cinefest 2021 Filmmakers
Graduating Seniors
Justin Demas
Justin Demas is a Senior Film major with an interest in video and streaming services such as Twitch and YouTube. He loves playing video games, hanging out with friends, and making films and videos. He is currently the Vice President of the Fairfield Gaming Club and hosts many club events on campus. In the future, he hopes to become a successful content creator.
Julie Gaisser
Julie is a Senior FTM major and communication and Classical studies minor. She has been a part of the film program since her freshman here at Fairfield university. Along with film Julie has an interest in TV broadcasting, acting and exploring the cutting edge of the media industry. Julie has also been an RA since her junior year and is currently living in Gonzaga Hall. Julie’s film is a documentary looking into the lives of Fairfield University RAs and how they delt with the Covid-19 pandemic, exploring the newfound responsibilities, loneliness and resourcefulness that came with it.
Tara Genovese
Tara Genovese, Fairfield University Class of 2021, is from Monroe Township, New Jersey. She is a Film, Television, and Media Arts Major with a double minor in Marketing and Italian Studies. She has worked on over 25 short student films throughout her college experience developing an array of production skills and has written many scripts that she is proud of. Tara is a member of Alpha Mu Gamma, Gamma Kappa Alpha, and has received the College of Arts and Sciences 2021 Italian Studies Award. With an enriching study abroad experience in Florence, Italy and a rewarding academic experience at Fairfield University, Tara aspires to be a Project Management Specialist, Production Designer, and an Art Director. She currently works professionally as a Producer for a local production company in New Haven, CT.
Contact: tara.genoves01@gmail.com
Max Pribnow
I am a twenty-five-year-old film and television major here at Fairfield University. Growing up, I spent probably way more time than I should’ve watching T.V, so I guess it’s only natural that I’d want to go into the industry that dominated so much of my early life! To that end, I’ve spent pretty much all of my post high-school years learning the “ins and outs” of media production and going on film shoots. In doing so, I’ve been lucky enough to continuously find myself amongst a vast array of kind and talented peers, and my time at Fairfield has been no exception! Honestly (as cheesy as this might sound) I’m incredibly honored to have what will be my first long form narrative film showcased alongside all the fantastic projects making up this year’s Cinefest!
Mikayla Rubin
Mikayla Rubin is a Film major and English minor from Chino Hills, California. She is a member of the Fairfield University Softball team. Mikayla is passionate about storytelling and content creation in all of its forms. She is particularly interested in screenwriting and production design. She has worked for the Stags Sports Network live streaming athletic games and interned with the Office of Conference and Events.
Tyler Zikias
Tyler Zikias is a Film, Television, and Media Arts major with a minor in Marketing from Trumbull, CT. He has a passion for writing, directing, and shooting short films and hopes to continue to write scripts in the future. He is enrolled in Fairfield's Masters of Science in Marketing Analytics and Strategy program for the 2021-22 academic school year. He currently interns for FASB, GASB, FAF, and is aspiring to work on a creative marketing team in the film or sports industry.
Contact: tylerzikias@gmail.com
Continuing Students
Mary Bevans
Mary Bevans is a sophomore film major from Surbiton, UK. She is interested in all aspects of the film process, but prefers and is working to specialize in post production. She works for the University Radio station (WVOF) and is currently pursuing two minors in graphic design and philosophy.
Michael Bottega
I am a 21-year-old photographer and filmmaker based in New Jersey and Connecticut. From a young age, I loved getting my hands on any camera I could find and taking photos and making videos. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to take my passions outdoors. Nothing in the world makes me feel so free than when I am in nature. Although carrying around a camera in these beautiful places may seem like a distraction, as the saying goes, a picture’s worth a thousand words.
Film and photography is more than just getting the best shot. It’s being able to capture a feeling and emotion that can be shared with the world. The world is full of a lot of negativity, it takes a bit of exploring and creativity to share the beauty among it all.
Sophia Gaeta
Sophia Gaeta is currently a Freshman Italian/Communications double major at Fairfield University. After taking her first Intro to Film class, she developed a love for producing, directing and storytelling, and will declare a minor in film. Her short, “Behind the Rain”, shot on her iPhone, is the first of hopefully many more films and creations to come.
Theo Laflamme
Theo Laflamme is a current freshman and a film major. He got into editing as a hobby around six years ago. As time passed, his interest grew, branching out into all aspects of the film process, graphic design, and photography. He currently works for The Harvest Group professionally.
Shawn Rayno
Shawn Rayno is an aspiring filmmaker from Monroe, Connecticut. He is currently a Junior and seeking to find his specialty, but is leaning towards cinematography/directing.
Contact: srayno2000@gmail.com
Jared Smith
I had always loved film growing up, but I started putting my focus and time into filmmaking when I was a sophomore in High School. I take an interest in just about every aspect of filmmaking, but cinematography and editing in particular are what I enjoy the most. I take the time to work on films as much as I can, over the summer and winter, all throughout the school year, and whenever I find time in between other work. In and out of school, I try to make my projects comedic as it’s what I enjoy the most and feel that I make the best.