ZIP

Ava Maria Safai is a multi-disciplinary, non-labelling Middle Eastern artist. She is a Dean’s List Graduate from UBC’s BFA in Acting Program. In 2020, Ava Maria founded her own non-profit organization The Harlequin Theatre Society, which to date has produced a production of Hamlet, one original roving piece, the interactive feature film INHUMAN/E shot in two days (later adapted into a sold-out theatrical production for the Stand Festival) and I Killed Maddie Forbes, a seven-episode limited series shot in just 21 days in which she not only took on the lead role, but that of director, executive producer and head writer. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the North Shore News’ first ever “Favourite Local Celebrity,” The City of North Vancouver’s “Rise Up Award” and a Don S. Williams Grant. Her work has reached Lifetime, Nickelodeon, The Cannes Film Festival and most recently, Google TV. Ava Maria is also an avid song-writer, with over 1 million streams, three albums, and a Canada Council-funded musical under her belt. She is currently represented by Lloyd Talent.

Syd is an actor and writer born and raised in Vancouver, BC. They are excited to help bring this important story to life and to have the opportunity to premiere their first Short Film writing credit at Crazy8s! #WomanLifeFreedom

Nicco Graham is a Filipino-Canadian artist interested in telling inclusive stories, with a special focus on multiracial folk who live in a world divided by colour. He graduated from UBC’s BFA Acting program, where he worked on A Provincial Lady (Stupendiev), The Changeling (Jasperino), Timothy Findley’s “The Wars” (Private Purchas), GOLDRAUSCH (Ensemble), The Forgotten Proposal (Brighella), Book of Days (Walt Bates), and Secrets (Rodney). He has since co-created a company entitled The Harlequin Theatre Society with his partner Ava Maria Safai, which has gone on to put up two theatrical shows, one interactive sci-fi film, one teen drama series, and an upcoming romcom. Other credits: Hamlet (Horatio), The Potman Spoke Soothe (Colonel Winthrop Wiggins). Nicco also has an immense passion for Film & TV, having played various roles in shorts such as Bankers and I’m Dead, Bro and in major studio projects such as Netflix’s Grendel. In producing projects like ZIP, Nicco hopes to create a community in the arts that is more inclusive, safe and informative.

Mandana is an Iranian filmmaker based in Canada. Who worked as a Producer for “ZIP”. Mandana was born and raised in Iran. she moved to London as a teenager to pursue her education and later moved to Vancouver, Canada to start a career in film industry. She attended Vancouver Film School and has been working on numerous projects as Director, Producer, Line Producer, and Assistant Director since.

At a young age, Christopher naturally fell in love with visual storytelling and the art of filmmaking. He would eventually start making his own short films, fuelling his passion and creativity throughout his adolescent years and resulting in him winning local film awards in Alberta. Christopher moved to Vancouver in 2021 to specialize in producing and directing at the Vancouver Film School. Since graduating, Christopher has successfully produced several short films as he is passionate about bringing interesting stories to the silver screen.

Caylee is an actor and filmmaker from Abbotsford B.C., who worked as a producer and 1st AD for “ZIP.” She has worked as an actor for eight years with support from Red Management, appearing in a handful of national commercials, indie shorts and music videos, and an episodic for Apple+ TV. While pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Acting at UBC, she also started to produce and AD at the indie level. Caylee also directs film trailers for theatre companies across Vancouver and has directed a music video for rock-grunge artist FKA Rayne. Filmmaking is a reflexive form, and Caylee is interested in a multitude of ways she can help hold a mirror.

Brook is a Canadian filmmaker from Edmonton, AB, who worked as an associate producer and location manager for “Zip”. She first discovered her passion for the arts through school theatre, where she had a 5-year career as a stage manager while also dabbling in set design and directing. She moved to Vancouver after COVID to pursue a career in the film industry, beginning with Vancouver Film School. Through film school, she discovered her passion for the elements of production design and producing while also dabbling in writing and directing. She has completed numerous projects as a director, production designer, costume designer, art director, and most recently as an award-winning producer for the short film “The Life and Death of a God”.

Jonathan is a filmmaker from Northeast India who worked as an associate producer for “Zip,” specializing in gear coordination and logistic planning. He works regularly as a 1st AC in the Lower Mainland and aims to one day get his pilot’s license to become an aerial photographer/cinematographer. “Zip” is an important story to be told, and he hopes the film does justice to the community it represents and centralizes voices around the world that are fighting to be heard.