The Team
Daria Trifu
Petronela Rotar (p.rotar@rollywood.org) was born in Brasov. She studied at the University of Transylvania, Faculty of Sociology.
Petronela started her career as journalist 10 years ago and ever since, she's worked for the most important publications and TV networks both locally and nationally. She began at Monitorul of Brasov, the first independent newspaper of its time. She continued as a journalist at the Transylvania Express, the newspapers with the highest rating in Brasov county. In the press, she also collaborated with Brasoveanul, a weekly newspaper owned by the largest media conglomerate in Romania, MediaPro. From there, she was invited to become a member of the ProTV team, the #1 TV network in Romania.
Petronela worked at ProTV from 2003 until 2008 as a Reporter, Producer and TV Presenter. Her news reportage and interviews were broadcast nationally and in prime-time. As a journalist, she contributed to important press campaigns affecting social life in Romania. During her tenure at ProTV she met and interviewed some of the most important people and personalities of the country including the President of Romania. Other important projects she was involved in, together with the Rotary Club of Brasov, were the Charity Balls hosted between 2006 and 2007 and that brought many benefits for the Children Hospital of the city.
Later, Petronela returned to media in order to help opening the Realitatea TV station in Brasov, part of the most important news network in Romania. At Realitatea, she worked as Coordinating Editor. She also worked as Moderator and prime-time news Presenter.
She left Realitatea TV to become the Post-Editor, Presenter and Correspondent at Antena 1, the second largest TV network in the country. Shortly after leaving Antena 1, she met Bruno and Daria who welcomed her as a member of Brasov Film Center's team as the Producer of the BRASOV, PROBABLY THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD (in production since May 2011).
Angela Lazcko (a.lazcko@rollywood.org) was born in 1969 in Rupea and grew up in Codlea, a small town in close vicinity to Brasov. She has graduated the Mihai Eminescu University in Bucharest with a degree in American English & Psycho-Pedagogy. For many years, Angela worked as a foreign languages teacher. Angela is fluent in Romanian, English, German and French.
She has always had a love for animals (she graduated from the Veterinary High School) and a natural talent in training both domestic and wild animals. In 2000 she decided to become an animal wrangler and she started to work on the set of major film productions shot in Romania and that include: COLD MOUNTAIN directed by Anthony Minghella, LES ROIS MAUDITS directed by Josee Dayan, THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU directed by Crist Puiu, TURKEY GIRL directed by Cristian Mungiu and JACQOU LE CROQUANT directed by Laurent Boutonnat. Angela has worked with more than 20 movie production companies and her animals and birds (wolfs, eagles, crows, ferrets, cows, hawks, hedgehogs, turtles, rabbits, owls, guinea pigs, parrots, etc.) have played very important roles in films, commercials and music videos.
In 2008, Angela made another career move when started to work for CGS (Computer Generated Solutions) as a Client Support for foreign language projects and telecommunication sales projects. She later joined the sales department at Stabilus s.r.l.
Bogdana Ross
Actress
Festival Manager
Bogdana Ross (rossb@yandex.ru) was born in Kazakhstan in a family where theater was very much appreciated. Her grandfather, a military pilot by profession, was in fact so passionate about being a performer that for 20 years he chose to act on stage at the local (Aktobe) Public Theater.
On the threshold of the third Millennium, Bogdana's family moved back to their historical motherland - Russia. This is where Bogdana grew-up and studied. She graduated with honors from Moscow University (MSOU) with a major in Linguistics and Cross-cultural Communication. While in University, she was a secretary at the dean's office in charge of student data collection and administration.
At present, she works for an English holding company in Moscow as a Key Account Manager in charge of sales administration and orders of purchase for products coming from the company's plant in Europe to Russia.
Acting in film has always been a main attraction for Bogdana. She is accustomed to attending many theater rehearsals of her actor friends and, in 2009, she came across the online social network of Canadian production company, Toronto Pictures, headed by Maestro Bruno Pischiutta and Daria Trifu. She became a member and, throughout the years, a friend of Bruno and Daria. Her mind on becoming an actress was made a long time before that and, this encounter was the result of her pursuance of a film career and place within the international Film Industry.
Bogdana's drive and intuition have guided her toward taking the right steps and making the right choices and, as a result, she has achieved both her targets to date: she has been cast to play a principal role in Pischiutta's upcoming feature film CONFESSIONS and, she has been appointed the Festival Manager of Brasov International Film Festival & Market.
Bogdana is today a valuable member of Brasov Film Center's team and she is on her way of becoming a true professional in the Film Industry. Bogdana speaks English and Russian and she is currently studying German and Spanish.
Andreea Tincea (a.tincea@rollywood.org) is a young cultural journalist but she does not proclaim to be a TV personality although she works for TVR Cultural since 2008. She is an appreciated Reporter (news and live events) as well as TV news and cultural show Presenter. She started to work at 19 when she was proposed her first job: Project Assistant within a Romanian NGO where she used to volunteer for the previous 6 years. This is where she grew-up and where she learned the most about herself while providing help, support and friendship to the team and beneficiaries of her projects.
Andreea completed her studies at the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Science and, for one year, she also followed courses at the Faculty of Philosophy within the University in Bucharest. During her studies, she joined a parallel course studying journalism at the CJI - Center for Independent Journalism in Bucharest, with Alan Elsner - well known english journalist working for Reuters in the past 20 years -; Andreea also worked for ArCuB - the Bucharest Municipality center for cultural projects, National Journal - Science Supplement and then, TVR Cultural (cultural channel of the National Television Network and the only cultural tv channel in Romania).
One of her greatest passions is music. In fact, Andreea is on her way of becoming a successful Romanian Jazz singer, studying jazz improvisation at the National Popular Arts School in Bucharest. She is the lead vocalist (she also composes her songs) of a newly formed band, Loungerie II, with which she travels and performs across Romania. In music, one of her great mentors and inspirations is the late Jonny Raducanu - Romania's most famous Jazz singer - who used to be Andreea's teacher for a short period.
Starting from an early age, Andreea was privileged to travel to America attending the UN World Summit and Special Session on Children 2002; to Japan attending the Special Olympics Games 2005; to Egypt as a member of the press tour 2011. She is a talented communicator: Andreea's articles have been published in magazines, newspapers and socio-cultural sites. She is also a Contributing Editor for Daria!, an Arts, Entertainment & Business magazine. She is fluent in: English, French and Romanian.
Andreea works with Bruno and Daria and she is a good friend of theirs from a couple of years. Their first film project together is the BRASOV, PROBABLY THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD feature documentary where Andreea is featured as one of the Hosts who interviews Bruno and Daria for two separate interviews that will be included in the documentary. Andreea is an important member of Brasov Film Center's Executive Team.
Carola Bidlo grew up listening to fairytales. Later, she discovered the written word and how hard it is to get an A in school. Then came boys and words got more interesting. As soon as she entered a newspaper's office she fell in love with the power of words and the feeling remains within her today. It's been 4 years since words became her best friend and her paycheck. Carola is an editor at UNICA Magazine, one of the most important magazines for women in Romania. She writes for a living and she loves every ,,single page" of it.
2011 was a revelation for Carola since the moment she met - who she calls - two fascinating people, Daria and Bruno. Together they created a beautiful article for UNICA magazine and very soon they became friends. Carola admires their positive attitude and their feeling that anything is possible if you say it out loud and ,,battle" for your goal. Carola wanted to be a part of their project in order to inherit some of these positive thoughts. And she did. Carola is now a shareholder of Global Film Studio Inc. and together with Daria and Bruno she is planning some great things for Brasov and Romania.
CONFESSIONS is the name of Bruno's next movie. Carola Bidlo has been given the opportunity to edit Bruno Pischiutta's screenplay for the feature film CONFESSIONS. Carola is excited about this movie and guarantees you that it will amaze viewers worldwide, frame by frame, word by word!
Alina Lacatusu
Model, Actress, Business Consultant
Executive in Charge of Marketing & Sponsorship
Brasov International Film Festival & Market
Romanian personality, Alina Lacatusu (lacatusu.alina@yahoo.com), was born and raised in Bucharest. Before becoming an international model and working in the industry for the past eight years, Alina had an important role in one of Romania's most popular TV series. She has traveled to and lived in many countries. She moved to London in 2010 after living for many years in Milan. Today she shares most of her time between England and Romania.
Alina studied Business Management and she has opened her own Business Development, Consulting and Investment company recently. She works with both clients and investors from all over the world.
Alina's current collaboration with Brasov Film Center, Bruno Pischiutta and Daria Trifu and her passion for acting have resulted in her being cast for a role in one of Pischiutta's upcoming feature films. Alina has also made an appearance in BRASOV, PROBABLY THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD feature documentary that will premiere at the 2012 Brasov International Film Festival & Market.
Muhammed Ahmed (brasovflimfestival@gmail.com) holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration. He started his career in 1999 and he has been holding leadership positions in high-profile companies for the past few years. He is also a private investing and joined ventures specialist and an entrepreneur.
Muhammed is the Director of International Operations at Bin Daen Group (United Arab Emirates) since the company’s inception in 2004. He is a co-founding director and shareholder of several subsidiaries of the Group. Bin Daen Group is a multi-diversified investment company, completely managed by the Bin Daen family of Abu Dhabi. Muhammed Ahmed has been instrumental in ensuring that all operations are well managed with the highest level of integrity and transparency.
Nina Vélez-Troya is a licensed Journalist with a degree in Information Technology from the Universidad Autónoma de Bellaterra (Barcelona, Spain). Nina is the Founder and C.E.O. of Exquisit BCN TV Channel, an on-line television channel serving as a touristic guide and an entry point for business and social life in Barcelona. For Exquisit BCN TV Channel she also serves as director and anchorwoman since June 2010. She has worked in print, radio and television, writing, hosting and producing articles and shows on politics, economy, health and beauty. She has also been the director of marketing and communication for different companies.
Executive in Charge of Marketing & Sponsorship
Brasov International Film Festival & Market
Nina Velez-Troya (ninaveleztroya@gmail.com) has worked for 5Avda, a TV Channel company dedicate to on-line platform TV channels, and for Theresa Bernabe TV, an on-line TV channel dedicated to millionaires, as the Catalonian International Managing Director. For 25 TV she was responsible for directing, presenting and producing the programs “Escuela de Padres”, “Cuida’t” and “Denominacions d’Origen” - educational and health programs dedicated to Catalans. At Secretariaplus.com/ Directivosplus.com, Nina served as the Event Manager at commercial fairs such as Exposecretaria between 2006 and 2007.
At Canal Català, in 2005, she was the Account Manager responsible for advertising on the channel and, at El Taller de Alqvimia, she was the Project Director. Nina was part of the Management team at Angelmatic from 1997-1996; Director of Rosellón School and RR.PP. (Cazcarra Image) in 2004; Head of Press and Public Relations at Spa Studio from 2001 to 2003, a natural therapies and beauty products company.
Nina also worked for Barcelona Television as Director and Producer of the programs “Viure miller”, “Món Verd” and “Parcs i Rutes Naturals de Catalunya” and for TVE (Spanish Television) as Guionist of “Tres por cuatro”.
In the 90's she worked for newspapers and magazines such as Diario de Barcelona (Political content), El Periódico (Economy), La Vanguardia; Telva; Línea Española and Línea Española Internacional (Fashion); Tribuna Médica (Health and Medicines); Perfumería al día (Beauty); Burda International (Spanish fashion).
Nina is the author of: Encyclopedia “Cosmética y Belleza” (Encyclopedia of beauty) 1990; Editoria Marín and a Collaborator on the “Tiempo para vivir” (Encyclopedia of beauty) 1989; Editorial Difusora Internacional.
Nina held training courses in a number of companies and run a series of workshops/conferences in ESERP Business School and Management (Barcelona), dedicated to the various channels of luxury communication.
She speaks Spanish (mother tongue), Catalan, French (middle level), German (middle level), Italian and English.
Thierry Ocho
Events Coordinator
Executive in Charge of Marketing & Sponsorship
Brasov International Film Festival & Market
Born in 1962, Thierry Ocho (thierryocho@gmail.com) spent his adolescence in the Toulouse area (France), where his Father, an engineer in aeronautics, helped to found and develop Uni Air International - a private Airline Company owned by Henri Clerc.
Attracted by music, Thierry was only thirteen years old when he began to DJ at private receptions organized by Mr. Clerc, who frequently received his guests and customers at his sumptuous "méchoui" or magical "1001 nuits" events.
At fifteen, Thierry had the idea to produce some parties at his family's property, where he had the freedom and space to perfect both his logistic sense and his DJ capacities in front of thousands of people. At the age of seventeen, he started to work in the Hospitality Industry, and later he studied and graduated in "Hotel Management".
Thierry has proved to be great in creating and organizing events attended by personalities of the Fashion and the Entertainment Industries and held at clubs such as "Le Palace", "Les Caves du Roy", "Le Grand Escurial", "Le Star Circus" and "Le Jimmy'z". Throughout the years, he developed and implemented many thematic concepts, such as the famous and frequent parties in Privilege (Palace VIP Club) or special "Pink Sundays".
Thierry then took the opportunity to open the biggest National Club, as Disc Jockey & Artistic Director. For eight years, this allowed him to manage numerous venues, mainly in the South of France, such as the “Fumade”, “Cobra Club”, “Cristal”, “Art Club”, “Marina” and “Club 50”.
In 1989, Thierry, together with a partner, acquired a Brasserie Hotel in the city center of Toulouse. He ran and managed it for twenty years. He kept organizing special thematic parties in and out of the place for his customers, while always searching to create cutting edge atmospheres to entertain guests and audiences.
After selling his business in 2008, he decide to combine his knowledge with his address book, in order to produce short-lived events around the Globe in a way that has never been done before, and dedicated to Blue Chip clientele and Luxury Brands.
Mariangela Coldea (m.coldea@rollywood.org) graduated in 2007 from the Faculty of Letters in Cluj-Napoca. She achieved her Masters Degree in Media and Communication from the Faculty of Journalism in 2008.
Mariangela is a certified translator and conference interpreter for English and German. She worked as an English and German translator at the Romanian Parliament for 1 year and a half where she had the chance to meet the most important and powerful people of the world, VIPs, etc. Mariangela is fluent in four languages: Romanian, English, German and French.
At present, Mariangela is studying acting at the Faculty of Acting in Bucharest. She already performed important roles in 4 theater plays by Sorescu, Tolstoi, Noel Coward and Shakespeare. Her love of performance does not stop here. She is also a well trained dancer, piano player and, in 2006, she spent one year modeling.
Mariangela is a rising star who has been cast to play important acting roles in two upcoming feature films directed by Bruno and produced by Daria in Romania: ABUSED IN AMERICA and CONFESSIONS. She is also the Assistant Producer in ABUSED IN AMERICA and Production Coordinator in BRASOV, PROBABLY THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD feature documentary.
Mariangela is not only a talented actress but she is also an ambitious and determined young lady who possesses the will and perseverance to succeed. She is a very important member of Brasov Film Center's Executive Team.
Andra Baragan (a.baragan@rollywood.org) was born and raised in Targu Jiu but she also lived in Brasov and in Constanta during high school. Brasov has always been, however, the place she loved the most in Romania and the city she desired to make her home. At the young age of 17, she moved back to Brasov on her own. She continued her studies and has been supporting herself ever since.
She graduated from Andrei Saguna, the most prestigious high school in Brasov and among the top in Transylvania. Andra continued her studies in Brasov at the University of Transylvania where she achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (2010). Her class was the first to graduate from a comprehensive Business Administration academic program taught in English.
Post graduation, she was hired as a Logistics Assistant at a furniture factory in the city. There, she had to balance many and various tasks from production planning to dealing with suppliers and export initiatives. After 2 years, it was the time to move on to a new challenge which she found in the field of real estate. She worked as a Real Estate Agent and Office Manager for a couple of years and she soon became an Associate of the company too. Andra has been involved in various other projects as well that include fundraising for a charity organization in Brasov and event planning. Andra is very focused, responsible and task-oriented.
Upon meeting Daria and Bruno in 2011, she knew it was time for yet another challenge. This is when she decided to leave the real estate company and to become a Marketing and Sponsorship Executive in Transylvania for Brasov Film Center.
Alexandra Epure (a.epure@rollywood.org) was born in Calarasi. In high school, she studied French, English and Italian and she passed her Baccalaureate exam with a 9.21 average (out of 10). That is when she decided to leave her native city and move to Bucharest where she applied and got admitted to continue her studies at the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology with specialization in Organizational Management. In Bucharest, she is a model and she also participates to TV shows and other artistic events. She has been on her own and supporting herself ever since leaving Calarasi.
Acting has always been Alexandra's greatest passion and calling. Two years ago, out of her wish and determination to become an international actress, she decides to search for a mentor, someone who could guide her and help her become a true professional. At that time, Bruno and Daria were preparing a feature film that was scheduled for production in Romania. The film is ABUSED IN AMERICA and, Alexandra was cast to play an important role in this picture. Due to her good taste in fashion, photography skills and sense of colors, Alexandra has also been contracted as 3rd Assistant Director in ABUSED IN AMERICA.
Alexandra considers Bruno and Daria two visionaries and dignified personalities who's work she is proud to follow and be a part of. From the very beginning, she was impressed by their modesty, dedication and love with which they are fighting for their Cause. For Alexandra, Brasov Film Center is a family and she identifies with its vision and mission of creating and International Film Industry in Transylvania.
In life, Alexandra guides herself by W. Clement Stone's statement: "Whatever the mind of man conceives and believes, it can also achieve". She also trusts the law of attraction and she is convinced that a good example and prove of her believes is the wonderful collaboration she has with Bruno and Daria.
Recently, Alexandra has been cast to play another important role in CONFESSIONS, a second feature film written and directed by Bruno and produced by Daria in Brasov (a Brasov Film Center production). Alexandra has recently shot her part and she will make her debut appearance as one of the hosts in the BRASOV, PROBABLY THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD feature documentary that will premiere on the last evening of the Brasov International Film Festival & Market on July 29.
Alexandra is one of the first and most important Executives of Brasov Film Center who's input and involvement within the organization from day one has been a driving force in the development and creation of all what the Center is today and stands certain to become in the future. She considers her collaboration with Brasov Film Center as the most important achievements in her life and the one that puts her well on the way to achieving great international success as an actress in the very near future.
Oana Iosub was born and raised in Brasov. She is a student at the University of Transylvania, Faculty of Sociology and Communication. Oana is an aspiring actress who is interested to begin her film career at Brasov Film Center and to be cast to play important acting roles in films directed by Bruno and produced by Daria.
In 2011 she was selected by Bruno to be the host of an interview with Daria for Brasov International Film Festival & Market's TV promo clip distributed to media worldwide. Bruno was impressed by Oana's performance and decided to accept her as one of the few students selected to attend the International Film Workshops of Brasov Film Center - Acting Course. Oana is ambitious and talented. She has a great presence on camera and a sweet personality.
Aida Manescu was born and raised in Buzau. She is an aspiring Film Director though she also practices acting. At the moment Aida is particularly keen on developing her filming skills and creativity. Being able to meet different people inspires and motivates her as she discovers new potential story possibilities.
Right now, she is in high school studying art and drama. The program emphasizes her personal development and she is determined to follow the artistic path that will lead her to a career in the Film Industry. She's also practiced photography for a short period of time and she has already completed a few projects and filming exercises. She remains eager to learn more on her way to becoming a professional Film Director.
Aida is the 3rd Assistant Director in ABUSED IN AMERICA, 2nd Assistant Director in BRASOV, PROBABLY THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD feature documentary and 1st Assistant Director in CONFESSIONS. She is also one of the chosen talent attending the International Film Workshops - Directing Course of the Brasov Film Center.
Corina Mitrache was born in Ploiesti. Corina has graduated from the University of Economics, Petro-Gaze in Ploiesti (2008). She had been admitted with honors having applied with the fifth highest average out of thousands of students. At this time, she studies Management at the same University and, when admitted, she had the highest average of all applicants. She has great knowledge in computer programming and software utilization. In addition, she followed courses in Relationship Abilities Development which she completed with top grades. In high school, she studied fine arts and photography. Corina is fluent in English, French and, or course, Romanian.
She started her career in film in 2011 when she was cast to play a role in the feature film ABUSED IN AMERICA. Corina has also been contracted as 1st Assistant Director in the picture that is set for production in Brasov.
Corina is multitalented and her personality and perseverance made an impression on Bruno and Daria. She is one of the very few out of thousands of applicants who has been cast in ABUSED IN AMERICA and one of only six young talent who have been chosen to work side by side with them at Brasov Film Center.
Marius Damian was born in Brasov. He studied at the University of Transylvania, Faculty of Telecommunications.
Marius started his career as Image Editor five years ago and ever since, he worked for local TV networks. He began at NOVA TV as News Editor. He continued as Editor, Operator and Producer of the “Weekend Brasovean" TV show. In 2009 he moved to Realitatea TV where he worked as Image Editor, Title-box and Air-box Operator. In 2010 he founded his own company, MD Productions.
He produced television shows, videos (edited and directed), commercials and live events for various TV stations. Another important project he is currently involved in started when he met Bruno and Daria who welcomed him as a member of Brasov Film Center's team as the Assistant Film Editor of the BRASOV, PROBABLY THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD.