ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
We, as a coalition of entertainment industry professionals in the state of Connecticut, have come together exclusively for/to build a cohesive unit to support all types of productions ranging from Digital Media, Commercials, Music Videos, Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, Broadcast Media, all types of Television Programming, big and small, to bolster the current filmmaking community to make it stronger in order to attract more productions to the state. The Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to improve, maintain, and build the film and television entertainment industry in Connecticut.
OUR OBJECTIVES
1
Bring all Connecticut filmmakers, creative executives and talent together to network, work together and support each other.
2
Build up and support our state’s entertainment industry.
3
Help create new job opportunities and develop new ways to bring more productions to the state.
4
Speak with a strong and unified voice to push for more support and better tax credits for the state.
5
Advocate for better working conditions, better pay and more union job opportunities.
6
Education and training for creatives, crew and talent so everyone can improve their craft and expand their opportunities for jobs.
MEET OUR BOARD
The CTFTVA Board members represent a wide range of experience in the entertainment industry from across the great state of Connecticut. Learn more about each of our board members below.
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CTFTVA VICE PRESIDENT
Producer / Director, Firesite Films
Groton, CT
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecasten/
Over the past thirty years, Alec has won numerous awards as a commercial / music video director, documentarian and narrative filmmaker. His fascination for cinematic storytelling evolved at the age of twelve, while tinkering with his fathers Bell & Howell 8mm camera. Alec's persistence for creating narratives led him to the University of Bridgeport's Department of Cinema and Television, where he graduated in 1990 with a BFA in Cinema.
Following graduation, Alec became a freelance director spending time in NY, DC. ME, & VT. In 1995, he moved back to Southeastern New England to become a staff director / editor at Sonalysts Studios in Waterford, CT.
In 2008, Alec created Firesite Films LLC, a full service video production company that specializes in high-end commercial and video content, corporate video production, branded storytelling, and digital marketing videos that help businesses, nonprofits, and global brands connect with their audiences.
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CTFTVA BOARD MEMBER & Events Committee Co-Chair
Filmmaker / Producer / Director of Photography
Hartford, CT
www.instagram.com/alessandrosunrise
Alessandro is a CT-based documentary filmmaker, producer, and cinematographer. Alesandro was an associate producer on multiple films shot in Connecticut including Marathon (The William Meredith story), and Diamond Ruff with Young Feature Films. Alessandro was the assistant director and associate producer for the Film Industry Mixer networking event for over seven years. He is currently a DP for commercial video and is creating a series of short documentaries for HARC Inc. to help improve the public's understanding of the capabilities of people with learning disabilities.
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CTFTVA BOARD MEMBER
Production Designer & Art Director
Woodstock, CT
Lily Bolles is a Connecticut based Production Designer and Art Director. She graduated with her BFA in film and television from the Savannah College of Art and Design and has been working in the art department for the past 15 years, allowing her to work on 50 different productions.
Movies that she has designed have premiered at SXSW (Jakob’s Wife, 2021), Tribeca (Suitable Flesh, 2023), The American Film Festival and the Independent Film Festival Boston (CROOKEDFINGER, 2024) and the Cinequest Film Festival (Voices Carry, 2025).
Lily has a passion for storytelling and to the idea of advancing the narrative of a film through the art and symbolism portrayed on screen. While based in Connecticut, Lily has traveled to make films in Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts.
With her strong team of Connecticut and New York locals she is proud to be a part of representing Connecticut filmmaking and is dedicated to helping it thrive in the coming years.
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CTFTVA CO-FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER
New Haven, CT
https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardcohen/
Ed Cohen is a native of New Haven, CT and a graduate of the University of Connecticut, Class of 1969. In 1965, he founded Bands Unlimited which later morphed into Miriam Cohen Productions with his wife as his business partner. The business soon became the largest independent music management/booking agency in New England: managing five bands and booking one hundred. Simultaneously, he was playing second sax, percussion, and was backup singer for “The Gravy Train.” In 1974, Ed encountered Dave Biro and his invention, The BiroTron - widely recognized as the rarest instrument in rock music history and arranged a meeting with Rick Wakeman, keyboardist of YES. The Biroron was used on recordings by YES, Wakeman, Tangerine Dream and extensively on the road.
Ed returned to CT in late 2018, and currently manages Italian-American composer/musician/engineer Max Di Carlo and Second Sight, a classic rock band composed of current and semi-retired major moguls in the film/TV industry. He also manages Ray Griggs. Latest additions to the team are Steve Johnson, Rob “Rob the Drummer” Gottfried, and Marston Smith “Lord of the Cello.”
In 2021, Ed began a parallel career in filmmaking as a location scout, locations manager, associate producer, product placement specialist, and has since worked on ten feature films to date. After meeting Jonathan Black, the two co-founded the Connecticut Film & TV Alliance in June 2023. Ed has served on the board of the CTFTVA since its founding, working to get 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, prevent the state legislature from abolishing the Film/TV Tax Incentive, roll out the first Health Benefits program for gig workers, and grow the membership to 600. Ed looks forward to continuing this important work to build the film industry in the state and is enjoying actively working in the film and music industries.
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CTFTVA BOARD MEMBER
Dept. Head/Professor, Digital Media & Design, UConn
Storrs Mansfield, CT
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathere/
Heather Elliott-Famularo is a dedicated fine arts administrator, educator, and filmmaker. She currently serves as the Department Head of Digital Media & Design in the School of Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut. She earned a MFA in Art and Technology from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA in Art Media Studies from Syracuse University. Elliott-Famularo is an award-winning filmmaker/artist whose varied research interests include documentary film, fine art video installation, photography, and collaborative digital humanities projects. Her work has been published and exhibited internationally in Canada, Hungary, Italy, and Poland as well as at iDMAa and SIGGRAPH, where she has also acted as curator and juror of numerous exhibitions.
As department head at UConn, Elliott-Famularo is known for her impactful leadership - building bridges between the humanities, arts, and sciences. Her most prominent collaborations include the Human Rights Film and Digital Media Initiative, STEAM-related projects in art+science communication, creation of a Digital Public History minor, and sports entertainment with UConn Athletics. She is excited about the future of filmmaking in Connecticut and is committed to building the industry to provide opportunities for young promising filmmakers and fuel the creative economy in the state!
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CTFTVA BOARD MEMBER
Assistant Director / Producer, Myke Foo Media
New Fairfield, CT
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykefurhman/
Myke Furhman is a three time Emmy award winning producer and director with almost two decades of production experience, from coast to coast. With stints in Los Angeles, New York and Savannah, Georgia, his portfolio ranges in everything from feature films to commercials, from producing to directing and even editing.
The Connecticut native returned home to continue his production ride, having now shot several films and television shows in and around western CT. His love for film has always been there, but he made the choice to make it a career when he was given the opportunity to be on the set of Adam Sandler’s “Mr. Deeds,” which was shot in New Milford during Myke’s senior year at New Milford High School.
His passion, coupled with being a true local with a never ending rolodex of contacts and resources throughout the area, has allowed him to excel throughout the current Connecticut film renaissance. Recent credits include directing the feature film “Candlewood,” as well as serving as first assistant director on Bob Yari’s “Summerhouse,” “ReEntry” starring Emily Deschanel, and “The Thursday Night Club.” He has also led production efforts for a number of commercials and branded content for CT companies such as ESPN and NBC Sports.
In addition to working on professional productions throughout the state, Myke currently owns and operates his own production company Myke Foo Media and is a co-founder of “World’s Greatest,” an athlete-first, Olympian-focused content company.
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CTFTVA BOARD MEMBER
DP/Cinematographer
East Haddam, CT
Horacio Marquínez is a cinematographer, aka “Director of Photography,” DP, or DoP. As of 2022, he has made over 40 full-length films across the globe, including feature films, TV movies, commercials, and documentaries. Born and raised in Panama, he made his way to NYC obtaining his MFA from Columbia University Film School. Horacio has worked on set with renowned directors, producers, and actors using his artistic vision to interpret visuals from scripts and elevate them in real life. He has lent his talents as Professor of Cinematography at Columbia, UCLA, and the LA Film School. Currently he splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City and is actively taking on projects for both cinematography and still photography, with a genre focus on drama and thriller projects.
Recent films and projects he’s worked on include Rome in Love and the political thriller Affairs of State, starring Adrian Grenier. Cásese Quien Pueda (“Get Married If You Can”) with Mexican star Martha Higareda. Other notable films include World’s Greatest Dad, a dark comedy starring the late Robin Williams, which premiered at Sundance with critical acclaim. He also filmed Starstruck for Disney, and Dummy, starring Adrien Brody and Mila Jovovich. He is a long-time collaborator with Director Eric Bross with whom they had collaboration in over a dozen films, including Ten Benny, Restaurant, and A Country Christmas Story starring Dolly Parton. He is currently in pre-production for another American thriller America’s Favorite. Horacio also directed “Rainbow Day Camp” a documentary about a Summer Camp for transgender children. The film opened to critical acclaim, accolades and awards on the film festival circuit. Horacio is not new to the press and has even been featured on “We The Aliens” podcast to learn more about his story. You can learn more about cinematographer Horacio Marquinez and his most recent filmography here.
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CTFTVA BOARD MEMBER / Communications Coordinator
Production Assistant
Torrington, CT
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CTFTVA PRESIDENT
Owner, Crooked Smile Agency
Meriden, CT
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donn-quijada-609129285/
https://crookedsmileagency.com/
Donn Quijada is the owner of Crooked Smile Agency, a production service company and casting agency based in Connecticut. Over the past 10 years Donn Quijada has personally worked on over 100 productions from music videos, commercials, tv shows, feature films, short films and much more. Originally from Connecticut with a passion for the arts, specifically music and productions, Donn realized at an early age that there were not many resources for local talent or crew to find work that they can be proud of and exercise their artistic nature on various platforms. Which is why he created a company that does exactly that, finding jobs and placing local talent and crew on numerous productions and assignments. This passion to help others find work in the film industry is what led him to join The Connecticut Film and TV Alliance, as their goals align perfectly with Donn’s aspirations and visions for the great state of Connecticut.
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CTFTVA TREASURER
President, Joe Young Entertainment, LLC (JYM)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-young-592493168/
Joe Young is an award-winning cartoonist, filmmaker, producer, writer, and teaching artist with a distinguished 35-year career. He holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Goodwin University and has made significant contributions to the arts and entertainment industry, particularly in nurturing talent and enhancing the cultural and social fabric of Connecticut.
Joe is the creative force behind the newly released KEMET comic property, which boasts a readership of twenty million in Black newspapers nationwide. As the President of Joe Young Entertainment, LLC (JYM), he oversees the distribution of original digital content to streaming TV channels and media outlets. His pioneering work includes being the writer and executive producer of Hartford’s first major homegrown book-to-film project, Diamond Ruff. He is also the President of Hartford’s Got Talent, a non-profit agency that showcases talent and connects the community.
A Guinness World Record holder, Joe created the World’s Longest Comic Strip in 1999, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication to the arts. His accomplishments extend to co-producing the feature film PEP, filmed in Hartford, CT, and executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. Joe was also an EP on the movie “Midas” which in 2025 was #1 on the Starz streaming service.
In recognition of his remarkable contributions, Governor Ned Lamont declared June 19, 2024, as “Joe Young Day” in Connecticut, celebrating his extensive impact on the arts and entertainment industry. Joe's volunteerism and dedication to inner-city youth earned him the Daily Point of Light award from the White House in 1999.
Joe's current leadership roles include serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of The University of Bridgeport, Ambassador for the Bushnell Theater, Chair of the City of Hartford Film and Media Commission, and theThe Boyz Foundation. Joe also has a donor-advised fund “Young Edutainment Fund” at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
In collaboration with Smokey Robinson, Joe’s animated Robinson’s poem “Black American,” which was featured on ABC’s Emmy award-winning show The View. His work and achievements have garnered national attention, with features in prestigious publications such as People, Ebony, GQ, and Jet Magazine, and appearances on major media outlets like C-Span, CNN, and the Black Family Channel.
Joe Young’s influence and accomplishments have also earned him titles such as Amazon National Best Selling Author, a feature in Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and recognition among the NAACP 100 Most Influential Blacks in CT. His dedication and passion for the arts continue to inspire and shape the industry.
JOIN THE ALLIANCE
We would love to have you join the Connecticut Film and TV Alliance. Be a part of a movement to build and create a strong and long-lasting entertainment industry in our great state.
Contact Us.
We are excited to hear from you! Please reach out and join us in building a strong Film and TV Alliance across Connecticut.
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