TEAM

Director / Producer Ernesto Quintero strongly believes in projects of social relevance and utilizes his skill in video and film to advocate positive change. Ernesto has been documenting A Sacred Journey, a story of his brother’s fight with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) since his diagnosis in 2005. In 2013, he decided to edit this heartfelt journey producing the short.  In addition to pointing the camera on his brother, Ernesto most recently traveled the world working with Jennifer Lopez (JL) on Dance Again a documentary featuring JL on her first ever world tour. As second unit director, Ernesto got to see the world through his lens, traveling to 40 countries in 4 months. On this same tour Ernesto, directed JL’s ten dancers and came back to produce six episodes of A Step Away, a docu-series for NUVO TV, which is presently airing.  Ernesto is prepared to direct, produce, shoot or edit, but most importantly, Ernesto has a knack for story and heart that allows him to capture emotions. Quintero is bringing light to exceptional stories that otherwise are going unnoticed and his work is unmistakably poignant and recognized by many. His awards include the Imagen Award for Outstanding Stage Production for “Veteranos: A legacy of Valor” (2000), a nomination for Outstanding Made-for-TV Documentary Producer for an Alma Award for Warrior of the Court (2007), Imagen Award for the PBS national television series Voces (2007), Cine Golden Eagle Award for Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano (2007) and a NAMIC award for the mun2 Hookup (2008). Of his awards and honors Quintero says, “It is nice to know that the social relevant projects I am a part of are getting attention, but I still feel that there’s so much work to be done.” To learn more about Ernesto’s work please visit: www.ernestoquinterofilms.com.

Producer Yvonne Jimenez is a MINDFUL CONNECTOR & TECH-SAVVY PRODUCER primarily interconnecting the areas of business development and public affairs with films and special projects. Based in Los Angeles, she has and continues to produce both documentary and narrative films with award-winning & Oscar-qualifying directors including the feature documentary Cesar’s Last Fast & short narrative Where We Begin to name a few.

Over the past 15 years, Ms. Jimenez has produced events and projects for clients such as Coca-Cola, the Nielsen Company, Anheuser-Busch, Molera Alvarez and Wayans Brothers Productions among others. A natural producer, she is a connector of people, passions and projects. From managing high-profile projects to grassroots causes, Yvonne brings the expertise, relationships and experience needed to benefit any film or company.

Producer Mr. Haro’s background includes over twenty-five years of media production/directing, marketing and grass roots organizing. He has worked as a Producer/Director of Edward James Olmos Productions for 18 years.  His resume also includes production work with New Line Cinema, Universal Studios and Lions Gates Cinema.

He has worked on the network level with Spike TV where he directed and produced the documentary: “Pancho Gonzalez: The Latino Legend of Tennis.”  Continuing on the national level, Haro worked with The PBS Network in producing and directing an extended version (Director’s Cut) of “Pancho Gonzalez: Warrior of the Court,” for inclusion in a 13-part national series entitled, “VOCES.”  This first of its kind Latino themed series was broadcast in the fall of 2006, through fall of 2007.  In 2007, Mr. Haro’s work was recognized with an Alma Award in the category of “Best Documentary made for Television.” In 2010 Haro finished producing two full seasons for the Mun2 Network reality series, “The Mun2 Hook Up.” Other producing awards and nominations include; Director’s Guild Academy Award in the category of Best Documentary; the National Education Foundation’s Golden Apple Award for Best Film in the Classroom; and a recipient of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award.

Writer / Producer Dianna Perez is a commercial and film writer with extensive experience in sales and marketing. She is currently working as a freelance story development consultant while she completes her first feature film “Students Like Us” (working title) where she made her directorial debut.

Perez began with Higher Ground Entertainment in 2005 when she came aboard as a story development consultant on “Pancho Gonzalez:  Warrior of the Court” the feature documentary about Richard Alonzo Gonzalez, arguably one of the greatest tennis players to ever live. Perez has also consulted with Higher Ground on “Pathology of a Hate Crime” and “Sueltalo”. The collaboration continues as Ernesto Quintero is the editor and producer of “Students Like Us”, Perez’s independently produced feature film slated to be released Spring of 2007. 

Of her work with Higher Ground, Perez says, “It’s a pleasure to be a part of this incredible company. They approach their work with this contagious enthusiasm that is electric to be around and more importantly shines in their work.  Whether the project is a commercial or a documentary on a vital issue, the end product will manifest a message in a compelling, cutting edge and always fresh manner”.

Although it was her writing, which attracted Higher Ground to Perez, they are now the beneficiaries of another of her skills.  Perez is now utilizing her experience in sales and marketing to garner new business at Higher Ground Entertainment. 

Producer Peter Maestrey is an award-winning producer and a long-time DGA Assistant Director. Over the past twenty years, he has worked for large corporations such as Oprah Winfrey Network, MTV, Anonymous Content and many other industry leaders. In 2004, he was a producer on his first  feature narrative Love and Suicide, filmed in Havana, Cuba during the embargo.

During 2011 to 2014, he was invited by the Sundance Institute to support their annual Directors Labs. In 2015, he reshaped his company Kamma Pictures to be a vehicle to produce films. His first two projects with Kamma are the documentaries Roll With Me and A Sacred Journey, both stories with an inspirational backbone.

In 2016 he was selected to participate as a Fellow in the 2016 Film Independent Producers Lab for "Cantering". Cantering will be his first narrative feature film as a Producer.

Peter Maestey hopes to create films that cause distinctions for humanity that make a difference while entertaining them in the simplicities of being human.

Co-Producer​ Suzanne is an international film and television producer. She has produced award-winning documentary films and critically acclaimed programs for networks such as PBS, A&E, Animal Planet, ARTE, Wetv, Discovery International, and ABS CBN Philippines. Her projects include Maravilla, a feature length documentary about middleweight boxing champion Sergio Martinez, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2014, as well as Beyond the Silence, an investigative documentary about the rising tide of sexual violence on college campuses across America. Other projects have focused on NGOs in Africa and have included a series of short films for Action Aid International and The Gates Foundation about the empowering of women farmers. In 2016, she produced and co-directed the feature documentary Curiosity, Adventure and Love, which received five awards including a Special Jury Prize at the World Premieres Festival Philippines and Best Documentary at the Soho International Film Festival. Currently a producer and partner at Tiny Giant Films, Suzanne oversees development of feature films and documentary series in Europe, Asia and Latin America. 

Co-Producer Anna M. Cordova was born and raised in the Southern California area and holds a business degree from California State Polytechnic, Pomona. She also graduated cum laude with a degree in manufacturing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Manufacturing (FIDM).

Ms. Cordova began working in the film industry when she started working with Robert Faber, her current business partner at FILMLOOK, Inc.  They soon became experts in the world of video production and soon found a way to shoot video with an unprecedented and unique technique that surprised the world of film professionals.  In 1989, they started FILMLOOK Inc. and their patented process became known as FILMLOOK®.  Since Ms. Cordova and Mr. Faber entered video production from outside the typical Hollywood film industry, their concept of making video look like film was not readily accepted.  This stubborn viewpoint created a challenge for FILMLOOK, one that they would eventually overcome with amazing success.

Providing the infrastructure to build FILMLOOK to be one of the leading post-production facilities in Hollywood, Ms. Cordova managed the operations, administration, accounting and client relations. She also developed an intensive marketing strategy, which has been an integral element of FILMLOOK’s progress and success throughout their many years 

• Ms. Cordova is a member of Women In Film, American Film Institute, National Association of Latino Independent Producers, REEL Ladies, NATPE, and Indie Producer.

Co-Producer. Mr. Faber was born and was raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He holds a degree in Electronic Engineering and has worked in numerous electronics, technical and engineering capacities throughout the past 30 years, including several top corporations such as Lockheed Aircraft, Spacelabs, Inc., and Loral EOS.

Mr. Faber started on the actual design for FILMLOOK in late 1987, and began building the prototype in the spring of 1988. With the help of his partner, Anna Cordova, and their friends, the FILMLOOK process was unveiled to the entertainment industry in 1989 and FILMLOOK Inc. became a post production service. Soon thereafter, he applied for a U.S. patent on the process which was issued in June 1990. Later he developed a concept for a 24-frame progressive video camera and in January 1992 another patent application was filed and later awarded in August 1994.

In 1998 and 1999 a prototype standard definition 24P camera was constructed, demonstrating a proof of concept for 24 frame progressive imaging (480P) with interlaced output (480/60i).

In June 2000, Sony Corporation entered into a patent license agreement with FILMLOOK Inc. covering Sony’s progressive frame cameras (HDW-F900 24P) for LUCASFILM Ltd. to use in shooting STAR WARS – EPISODE 2.

Then in April 2002, Sony Corporation again had taken a license from FILMLOOK Inc. relating to the 24P functionality of SONY’s progressive frame cameras. Since then, Mr. Faber’s 24P Patent has been licensed to Thomsom, Panasonic, Panavision, JVC, Fujifilm, Canon, Ikegami, ARRI, Hitachi, Pentax, Casio, Iconix and Nikon.

Co-Writer Fernanda is an internationally renowned writer and speaker. Fernanda Rossi has co-written and collaborated in more than 500 fiction scripts, documentaries and fundraising samples, including two documentaries nominated for the Academy Award® and many that received funding from ITVS and National Film Board of Canada. She has given her lectures in more than 12 countries and at world markets, such as Hot Docs andSheffield Doc/Fest. In addition, she’s is a trainer for special programs and grant evaluator for foundations. Her book Trailer Mechanics: How to Make Your Documentary Fundraising Demo, 2nd Edition, is according to industry professionals the bible on demo production. www.documentarydoctor.com

Composer With an understanding that the elemental purpose of music is to evoke emotion, Arturo Solar  creates a tone which lends itself to the dramatic and romantic genres. He finds it profoundly important to explore all textures and colors with melodic simplicity to  emphasize the Traditional Classical Sensibility. Born in Barcelona, Spain, but more precisely raised in Santiago de Compostela (Galicia),  Arturo began his musical career at the age of eight with the encouragement and inspiration  ​of his father. In 1989, he pursued his musical development at the Superior Music  Conservatory of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, where he graduated his studies in trumpet.  During these formative years Arturo befriended his mentor José Somoza who introduced him  to many musical styles widening his cultural perspective. Interested in focusing his talents in composition, he later studied with the Austrian composer Wladimir Rosinskij where he  increased his knowledge in Orchestration and immersed himself in Film Scoring. After producing many works for shorts films, documentaries and television, he decided to  move to Los Angeles in 2002 where he now resides. Balancing his work as a composer for  cinema, Arturo also became a recording studio musician exploiting his skills and talents as  a trumpeter, arranger and conductor for many multi-national artists. Through his perseverance and passion for film scoring, Arturo has been garnered with many  opportunities in writing for a wide array of genres. In 2009, The International Film Music  ​Festival “Ciudad de Úbeda” honored him with the Jerry Goldsmith Award.

Associate Producer and story consultant Satinder Kaur is a U.S. Army veteran, and a determined dreamer who writes, directs and produces.  She received her MFA in film directing from USC School of Cinematic Arts where she was the recipient of James Bridges Award for excellence in directing. Her work has screened globally and has contributed to the advancement of human rights.  She's currently in development on a feature film titled Arresting God.