In Pursuit Of
Our Next Pursuit:
Women’s Representation in Film
Expert Bios
Monica Castillo
New York City Critic & Film Programmer
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Monica Castillo is a critic and film programmer based in New York City. Her curatorial work has appeared at the Jacob Burns Film Center and the Paley Center for Media, and her journalism and criticism has appeared in NPR, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Colorado Public Radio, KCRW, RogerEbert.com, The Wrap, Remezcla, Elle Magazine, Mashable, and Vulture among others. She is a member of the New York Film Critics Circle, Critics Choice Association, and National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Nicola Kraus
NY Times #1 Best-Selling Author, The Nanny Diaries
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Nicola Kraus co-authored The Nanny Diaries, which became an international #1 best-seller selling over 6 million copies in 32 languages and inspiring the movie starring Scarlett Johansson & Alicia Keys. In addition to co-authoring 9 more novels, Nicola has contributed to The London Times, The New York Times, Redbook, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, and others. In 2015 she co-founded the creative consulting firm The Finished Thought, which helps the next generation of aspiring authors find their voice and audience. The Best We Could Hope For is her first solo novel.
Cynthia Lopez
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Cynthia López is an award-winning media strategist, and former Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, where she implemented strategies to support film and TV production throughout the five boroughs. López is the recipient of many coveted industry awards including: 11 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, a Special Emmy Award for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking, three Peabody Awards, and two duPont-Columbia Awards. In addition, she received the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) Award. Prior to working as Commissioner, López was Executive Vice President and co-Executive Producer of the award-winning PBS documentary series American Documentary | POV, and was involved in the organization’s strategic growth and creative development for 14 years. Her ability to forge strategic partnerships among corporate and public interest media has been a signature of her work. Notable partnerships include: New York Times, Reuters, Al-Jazeera Network, Discovery Communications, The Moth, Story Corps, Harpo Studios and ABC News, NIGHTLINE with Ted Koppel. López is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), and is proud to have spent her career collaborating with independent filmmakers across all portions of the film and television industry. She served on the Board of Trustees for the Paley Center, NYC & Company, Museum of the Moving Image and the Tribeca Film Institute Latin America Fund Advisory Board. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Color Congress, Latino Public Broadcasting, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors, and Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI).
Autumn Moran
Cinematographer & Camera Operator
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Autumn Moran is a New York based Cinematographer and Camera Operator. She developed a passion for cinematography and the craft of visual storytelling while working in advertising.
She delves into each new story she lenses, and seeks to find the emotional essence within the action. She credits a childhood immersed in sports, specifically gymnastics, with her appreciation of how the body moves through space, and therefore the frame.
Since beginning her career as a DP, she has shot various commercials, music videos and narrative projects. Clients include Uniqlo, Hulu and Planned Parenthood among others. On the narrative front, recent work HOME AT NIGHT (dir. Allison Geller) premiered at NY Short Fest and short film, AMONG THE LOST, was a ASC Heritage award nominee. She has also acted as 2nd Unit DP on Tubi Original narrative feature HIDDEN EXPOSURE directed by Todd Boggin and DP’d by Barbie Leung.
In addition to her DP work, Autumn has operated on HOCUS POCUS 2: BLACK FLAME, EVIL, THE REMIX (Tribeca Film Festival 2019), and HALF THE PICTURE (Sundance, SXSW 2018) among others.
Autumn was a recipient of the SOC mentorship program, as well as Local 600’s Inaugural mentorship program, of which she now sits on the committee. Additionally, she is a co-chair of the Local 600’s Eastern Region Women’s Committee. When she is not on set, she volunteers for the New York Junior League. And whenever possible, can be found at the beach.