KAREN GEHRES: THANK YOU VERY MUCH 💐💐for your support, sharing and humor. SINCE THEN, some things KAREN has accomplished since 2021: - Although she went to school for painting at Parsons School of Design, she ended up as a Producer in Film/Television. Then during Covid when she began painting again, after posting her paintings on Instagram and Facebook, it led to 3 successful gallery shows here in NYC with paintings sold. -In 2022, after leaving a full-time, high-stress job to return to freelancing, she felt happier and more fulfilled to spend more time with her loved ones and parents. -Got back behind the wheel so she could help out her parents better, after getting her license when she was 16 but never really drove, and has since put some miles on the road like never before. A force of nature on the streets of the city she would never leave, New York City, Karen Gehres began as a painter but morphed into the entertainment industry as a filmmaker, producer, writer and editor. Recognized for her documentaries: Astor Place Hairstylists and Begging Naked, which is in the Library of Congress, she is also an EPK Producer and Red Carpet Host, with a client list such as: Walt Disney, Amazon, Netflix and Sony to name a few. Karen is witty, fun, a straight-shooter, with a keen eye for storytelling through the eye of the camera, even on quiet jaunts through Manhattan streets. Check out this very lovely and creative woman at www.karengehresnyc.com also her project at: ⁠https://www.parkavenuemotionpictures.com

Letha M. Francis is a versatile and accomplished artist whose career spans various creative disciplines, including acting, singing, poetry, writing, lyricism, and music. She holds degrees in English and Political Science from The Johns Hopkins University and has honed her craft as an actress at Studio Theatre Conservatory, Black Nexxus with Susan Batson, and with Gail Charee. As an actress, Letha is recognized for her significant roles in films such as *S.O.U.L of a Black Woman* (2019) and *Deceived* (2013), as well as in the television series *Rose Anglade* (2013, Episode 1). Her dynamic stage presence has captivated audiences at prestigious venues, including Central Park SummerStage, BAMCafe Live, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the Congressional Black Caucus, SOBs, Joe's Pub, The Knitting Factory, and The Canal Room. Letha's television appearances include features on TV One, the Oxygen Network, and *Finding the Sweet Spot*, as well as her contributions to the national promotional campaign for *Tootsie* on Broadway and professional voice-over work for Al Jazeera America Network TV. A talented musician, Letha has showcased her original song “Travel the World” at the Julliard Fringe Festival as part of the stage show *Ugly* and served as a vocalist in a production of Shakespeare's *The Merchant of Venice*. Her music uniquely fuses elements of Soul, Reggae, Jazz, and Poetry, often accompanied by intense lyrical imagery aimed at inspiring and healing. An advocate for mental health and wellness, Letha's work is informed by her belief in the therapeutic power of creativity—an idea she explored further after learning about occupational therapy during auditions. Currently, she is participating as a lyricist in the Lehman BMI Musical Theater Workshop and is in the process of completing a musically driven screenplay that sheds light on the experiences of BIPOC individuals. Letha is also the founder of L-inkwell, LLC, a multimedia content-producing company. Her latest offering, *Declutter Like a Mutha* is a self-love package that encourages relaxation and creativity through a thoughtful collection of items, including her poetry book which emphasizes the importance of clearing emotional clutter. Additionally, she offers the Core Writing Lab, a course that inspires self-affirmation and expression through various writing techniques. For more about Letha M. Francis, visit her website at https://www.lethamfrancis.com/

Paul Rowley, an acclaimed filmmaker, visual artist, writer, director, editor, cinematographer, producer, and co-founder of Still Films, hails from Dublin, Ireland, and currently resides in Brooklyn.

Delving into filmmaking in 1995, Rowley has crafted an impressive repertoire encompassing over 40 shorts, features, documentaries, video installations, and experimental films.

Recognized as the Irish Film NY Rising Star and a two-time IFTA nominee for his documentary works, Rowley has garnered accolades from the Irish Arts Council, including the Glen Dimplex award from the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Irish American Art Award. He is a distinguished member of the Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective.

In 2007, Rowley co-established Dublin's renowned production house, STILL FILMS, where he serves as co-director. The company's debut feature documentary, "SEAVIEW," debuted at the Berlin Film Festival in 2008, followed by the co-directed venture "Build Something Modern" in 2010 with Nicky Gogan.

Since then, Still Films has continuously impressed audiences across prestigious platforms like Sundance, SXSW, New York Film Festival, Hot Docs, Pompidou Centre Paris, among others.

His recent acclaimed work, "THE RED TREE," sheds light on the clandestine history of Italian gay deportees under Mussolini's Fascist rule in the 1930s, notably showcased at CCI's Addressing the Nations early in 2021.

"THIS ONE'S FOR THE LADIES," a project Rowley shot and produced in collaboration with director Gene Graham, premiered at SXSW 2018, clinching a special jury award and securing distribution by NEON.

Paul Rowley's dedication to merging art with activism is evident in his role as the video director for Gays Against Guns in New York City, a feature documentary focusing on the movement battling the gun violence epidemic in the United States, particularly impacting LGBTQ+ individuals and marginalized communities. With a rich tapestry of awards and accolades adorning his career, Paul Rowley stands as a visionary storyteller committed to reshaping narratives through the fusion of art and activism.