Meet the team
Regina Fortuna Valadez
Director
At the youthful age of 22, Regina Fortuna Valadez emerges as a luminary in the realm of independent filmmaking. Born in the vibrant landscape of Mexico City and now rooted in the diverse creative tapestry of Toronto, Regina is a visionary force in independent cinema, specializing in production and direction. Having cut their teeth with three pivotal roles in Mexican films as a Production Assistant and Second Second Assistant Director, Regina honed their craft through invaluable experiences. Their journey added one more stop in the production of the stirring studio drama 'Brushstrokes of the Past' an upcoming film that promises to illuminate untold stories and resonate with audiences worldwide. With an innate passion for storytelling and an unwavering dedication to their craft, Regina continues to push boundaries and shape narratives that captivate and inspire."
Sophie Moreno Kris
Written
Sophie grew up in an artistic household, where music and art were a part of her daily life. She has always had a passion for different art styles, which is apparent in her work. She enjoys challenging herself by taking on leadership positions, hoping to expand her skills and network. Sophie is enrolled in the Film and Television Production Program at Humber College. As an immigrant, she has learned to adapt quickly to new environments and immerse herself in different cultures. The film "Brush Strokes of the Past" was one of Sophie's debuts as a screenwriter, showcasing her passion and talent for storytelling. She has recently produced a short documentary called "There's No Place Like Home" and also was the assistant director for "The Witness". She is determined to continue working on improving her leadership opportunities in film production, where she can confidently develop original and creative films in a team environment.
Bruna Fernandez
Producer
Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Bruna Fernandez discovered her passion for Audiovisual Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she began her studies. Now based in Toronto, Bruna is immersed in her Film studies, having already directed two short films and one documentary. Beyond the camera, Bruna's passion for life and travel led her to The Cannes Film Festival, where she attended the three-day program for art students during her college break. Hailing from a traditional Spanish family that migrated to Argentina in the 50s, she serves as the vital link between her family in Spain and her 98-year-old grandmother in Buenos Aires, fostering deep connections across continents. With a keen interest in film production, Bruna is set to produce more projects in her studies journey, driven by a relentless pursuit of perfection in her craft.
Alexander Zip
Director of Photography
Alexander Zip is a Canadian filmmaker born in Hamilton, Ontario. He’s the creator of the short films “Barrier” and “Shadow.” Recently getting recognition with “Shadow” Premiering at the Toronto Arthouse Film Festival in 2023. Zip is currently attending Humber College for Film and Television production for his second year. For his latest project, he’s been working as the director of photography for the short film “Brushstrokes of the Past” directed by Regina Fortuna Valadez.
Jessica Bruno
Casting Director
Jessica Bruno is a young, independent woman who inspires to become a producer, writer and Director for film and TV Production. Jessica from a young age was always recording herself or other people since the day she learnt how to use her fathers old DSLR. She would get her cousins and friends in on small imovie shorts she would make on her ipod and later in 2020 would start posting little videos on youtube of herself. Jessica knew she wanted to go into film and TV since she was 14 years old and has been working her way into the industry starting with acting in community theaters, and acting lessons at Armstrong. Jessica has a deep passion for storytelling and will stop at nothing to achieve her dreams.
Andrii Berezin
1st Assistant Director
Andrii Berezin is an aspiring filmmaker from Ukraine. He loves working on dramatic stories that explore themes of human connection and communication. In his future projects, he dreams to include glimpses of Ukrainian culture, as it’s something he dreamed of since the day he decided to become a filmmaker.
Andrea Serna
Production Designer
Andrea Serna Garcia, a vibrant filmmaker from Mexico, is fueled by a passion for storytelling through the lens of cinema. At 25 years old, Andrea brings a fresh perspective to the world of filmmaking, infusing her work with creativity and depth. With an insatiable curiosity and an eye for detail, Andrea continually seeks to explore new narratives and captivate audiences with her unique vision.
Laura Valencia Cruz
Art Director
Laura Valencia Cruz studied at Northview Heights Secondary School for Cyberarts, she studied four years of cultural arts which led her to study film and television. Laura is currently in her second year of film school and attends Humber College. She is the creator and director of “The wagon master” a short documentary she was inspired to create that was part of a community she grew up in talking about at-risk youth. She was an art director on the short film “Brushstrokes of the Past” and also in “Deliverance”. Laura uses her knowledge of art on sets and what's around her in her community and life as inspiration for her films.
Mykhailo Konyashyn
Camera Operator
Like everything else in life, filmmaking is a journey. Mine started during the junior years of high school. There I decided to take a filmmaking course just to see if it would be something interesting to me. As a result, that filmmaking course laid the foundation for my future career choice. The time that I spent in the high school filming course gave me the core knowledge, but it wasn’t until I joined the FMTV program at Humber, where I got to experience the full grasp of the filmmaking craft. In the program I met a lot of wonderful people that have inspired and challenged me to become a better filmmaker. I went from re-learning the basics in year one of the program to part-taking in a production of a short film in the second year. In the last two years I got lucky to try myself in different roles, across different departments - from the sound recordist and the boom operator, to the production assistant and the light board operator. From the camera man, to the director of photography. Out of all of those roles, being a director of photography and a camera man are my favourite. I definitely enjoy the hands-on experience of production, where I am one of the people responsible for the visuals in the film. It’s nice to see where I’ve come from and how much I’ve learned in the past two years, but I’m more eager to see where I’ll end up in the future.
Ricardo Flores
1st Assistant Camera
Ricardo Flores, born and raised in Venezuela, currently studying at Humber College, has been deeply passionate about becoming a Cinematographer and Director. With roots in photography and a background in theater, Ricardo's journey into filmmaking has been marked by a lifelong fascination with visual storytelling. His technical proficiency, honed through experience as an assistant photographer has equipped him to contribute meaningfully to student film productions. With a dedication to his craft and a diverse skill set, Ricardo is a promising talent aiming to make waves in the filmmaking industry
Liam DeGroot
Gaffer
Liam DeGroot is the Gaffer and Assistant Editor for Humber’s Studio Drama Film “Brushstrokes of the Past”. He was also the Camera Operator and Mixer for the Humber Documentary “Beyond the Mat” and writes/directs his own projects too. Liam loves creating stories and is dedicated to giving it his all to any production he’s in. While he may love film, he is also a huge fan of Music, more specifically Jazz, Ambient and Folk. Liam is extremely happy to of worked with such an amazing crew and strives to stay connected with them throughout his filmmaking journey.
Daniel Sergeant
Sound Recordist
Daniel Sargeant, a film production student, looking to establish himself in the audio side of the craft. Daniel understands the pivotal role sound plays in film and TV. It's not just about pretty pictures for him; he knows the right creak of a door or a crisp line of dialogue can make or break a scene. He's all about making sure every sound fits perfectly to create an amazing final product.
Have questions about film gear, especially sound equipment? Daniel's your go-to guy. Better yet he can explain things without making your brain hurt, ensuring everyone on the team stays on the same page.
He isn't the flashy type on set operating more as a quiet force behind the scenes. The impact he makes is unmistakable. Always ready to tackle any task, Daniel brings a laid-back vibe and formidable skills to every project.
In a world where films are a mix of sights and sounds, Daniel is carving out his reputation. He's got an ear for what works, and he's ready to shake things up in the audio world. Keep an eye on him – he's on a mission to bring good sounds to your screens!
Natasha George
Script Supervisor
Natasha Maria George is the Script Supervisor of Brushstrokes of the Past. Born and raised in the Middle- East, Natasha is an Indian filmmaker with a background in post-production. She has a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies after which she worked for one of India’s largest communications agencies, DDB Mudra, for about 4 years. Being a member of their in-house post-production team, she collaborated with designers and animators to bring ideas to life. She was responsible for creating video content for leading brands like Levi’s, Netflix, Hero Motorsports, Van Heusen, and many more.
She moved to Canada in 2022 and is currently attending the Film and TV Production program at Humber College, Toronto in hopes of being trained to work on a North American film set. Working as the script supervisor on this film has inspired her to pursue it as a career and she looks forward to continue being a part of impactful stories like Brushstrokes of the Past.
Zenghiok Ng
Digital Media Technician
Zenghiok Ng is a post-production specialist based in Toronto. She’s known for her award-winning films “The Interrogation (2023)” and “Chaoz (2024)”, as well as her editing and color grading work. She is the Colorist, VFX Supervisor, DIT, and BTS photographer for Brushstrokes of the Past, directed by Regina Fortuna Valadez. She is excited to present this incredibly beautiful film with the crew to the world to enjoy.
Karissa Beaudoin
Picture Editor
Karissa Beaudoin is a 19 year old film student pursuing a career in the post production side of the film industry. During elementary school, she discovered her passion for editing, and since has worked on provincial film competitions, livestreams, and other editing projects. Despite her preference for group environments, she enjoys editing because it calls for independent work. Her passion for film and storytelling stems from her enjoyment of bringing someone else's vision to life. Although she would like to try other roles, editing has always been a passion of hers.