Cormac Hennessy is a 22 year old filmmaker and writer; currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film Directing at Temple University. They have worked in a multitude of roles over the course of their film career so far, having specialized in directing, writing and sound design. They are drawn to projects with morally complex characters dealing with psychological turmoil or trauma. They’re drawn in further if there’s a fantastical or supernatural element to its delivery, having been inspired by filmmakers like Panos Cosmatos, Denis Villnueve, and Barry Jenkins. They have directed several shorts and are in post-production on their short Tumbling Dice, as well as preparing for principal photography on The Styx.

Finn Bellomo is a Philadelphia based film and project producer. They have a wide breadth of work, including documentary, narrative, and experimental films. Bellomo’s artistic mission is to creatively develop engaging and thoughtful films that highlight communities and individual stories. Bellomo has been showcased in multiple film festivals on the East Coast, including Diamond Screen Film Festival. Currently, they are producing their senior thesis, The Styx, which will be in production throughout the end of 2022. 

Chris is the Director of photography for the short film the Styx. He is a passionate digital media creator with backgrounds in both cinematography and still photography. He began his journey in cinematography as a board sports videographer and photographer and has branched out into documentary film, music videos, live event coverage, and other genres. He still remains true to his roots and has gone on to create promotional content for Blue Mountain Ski Resort, a cover photo in Mountain Life Magazine, and photos for 3 Way Street Skate shop’s Website.

Chris is a senior at Temple University majoring in Film and Media Arts with a concentration in cinematography. As he finishes up his time in school he looks to continue building his portfolio with more genres of film. He hopes to go on to pursue work as a Director of Photography, Camera Assistant, Steadicam Operator, and still Photographer.

Nayeli is the Editor for the upcoming short film, The Styx. She is currently a senior majoring in film with a post-production concentration. She grew up in North Philadelphia where she became a self-taught video editor for over six years. She began editing AMV-style videos as a hobby, but her passion for editing led her to become proficient and knowledgeable in general filmmaking. Throughout her editing career, she has worked with a variety of filmmaking styles, including documentary, narrative, and experimental. She’s skilled in visual effects: 3D animation, time manipulation, masking, and motion graphics from software like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. With the use of post-production, she discovered a way of using her creativity, open-mindedness, and problem-solving skills to share her passion for filmmaking with future projects, as well as with other filmmakers. She looks forward to working on other productions as they encourage her to become a better filmmaker and establish a closer relationship with the medium.

Sophie Aguila is a Philly-based student filmmaker, specializing in film production. Her passion revolves around showcasing multidimensional female characters, as well as blending fantastical elements with hyperrealism. She also works to showcase diverse community leaders through short-form documentary.
Sophie is currently pursuing a BFA in Narrative Directing at Temple University, where she is developing her 2024 thesis production. She is also in development for her first long-form documentary.

Tara Cunniffe (she/they) is a jack of all trades, working in many different roles in the visual arts. She is currently a fifth year sociology and theater double major at Temple University. Tara served on the board for Temple Theater’s Side Stage, working alongside student playwrights on to develop new works. Most recently, she assistant directed a production of The Nether. On the technical side of theater, they served as Props Master for Group Project, which was featured in Philadelphia’s Fringe Festival, and will also serve as Props Master in an upcoming production of Brandon Jacob Jenkins’ Everybody.

An avid-movie lover, The Styx is Tara’s second foray into film production, having previously served as assistant director for Tumbling Dice in Spring 2022. They are drawn to films and plays that push the boundaries of our visual expectations while still speaking to the heart of human experience.