Behind the Lens: Pennsylvania’s Filmmakers in Focus

Gino Anthony Pesi is a multi-hyphenate actor, writer, producer, and director with over 50 professional credits spanning two decades of experience in the film and entertainment industry.  In addition to creating The Practice, a real-world-ready program for storytellers, he is also a course designer and educator with 5 years of experience teaching in higher education.  He is now the Pennsylvania Film Commissioner and is passionately dedicated to growing the entertainment industry in the Commonwealth through DCED's Film Tax Credit Program and the PA Film Office.

Kate Vargish is a writer and producer proudly based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Since completing her MFA in Dramatic Writing at Carnegie Mellon University, Kate has produced several independent web series and short films in the Pittsburgh area, and has worked on projects in Seattle and Los Angeles. Her most recent project is Validity, a true event-inspired feature film about the researchers working to validate Nazi medical data to save lives today.

Derek Dienner is the founder and executive producer of MAKE/FILMS, a full-service video production company based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Established in 2014, MAKE/FILMS specializes in creating commercials for local, regional, and international brands, as well as producing Emmy-nominated documentaries and feature films. Derek's passion for storytelling and entrepreneurship has led to notable projects, including the production of the feature film "Brave the Dark," starring acclaimed actor Jared Harris. 

Lauren Hale-Rieckhoff is a feature and documentary film producer who began a career in entertainment as Casting Associate for HBO's Sex & the City (2000-2002). Following HBO, Lauren joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA) as an Agent in the Endorsements & Branding departments (2002-2016). As the key representative for clients across music, film, tv, and sports, Lauren spearheaded over $200 million in global dealmaking for Hollywood icons and C-Suite executives including Ron Howard, Hilary Swank, Jamie Foxx, Eva Longoria, John Legend, Dwyane Wade, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In addition to executing countless brand and talent partnerships, she brought innovative thought leaders onto her client roster, recognizing that founders of disruptive companies are equally desirable in crafting joint ventures and monetizing brand opportunities worldwide.

Richard Harris is the founder of Boone and Rich Films LLC (B&R Films), a production company that focuses on creating feature films. B&R Films has produced two urban comedy films to date: The Bid and the upcoming Yall Drawn.

Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Harris is a multifaceted creator, serving as a writer, director, and producer for independent films. B&R Films' first feature, The Bid, was released in 2021 and quickly became the number-one urban comedy in the United States, establishing the company as a rising force in the industry.

As a seasoned screenwriter and producer, Sharon oversaw development for Aloe Entertainment and later co-founded Dandelion Media and developed a risk-mitigated approach to independent film finance. Along with Dandelion’s co-founder, Sharon also partnered with RCM3, a $600MM+ film financing company, where she serves as Chief Content Officer. Her producing credits include the recently completed  Nuremberg, starring Russel Crowe, Michael Shannon and Rami Malek, Mary, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Marlowe starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, and Jessica Lang. In addition to Hershey, her upcoming projects include Vivaldi directed by Oscar winner John Ottman, the action-thriller Girl Who Fell from the Sky, Eve, adapted from the NYT bestselling author Wm Paul Young’s book (The Shack), the spy thriller Birdseye, starring Connie Neilson and Maria Bakalova, and the action-packed Limited Series An Acre of Fools, alongside Mark Williams (Ozark).
 

Carl Effenson is an award-winning independent film producer known for socially impactful storytelling. His credits include Mudbound (Netflix), earning four Academy Award nominations, Bob Trevino Likes It (SXSW Grand Jury Prize & Audience Award, 2024), and Mending the Line (Sony Pictures), a #1 Netflix film. He recently produced Maybe We Should, a heartfelt family drama starring Heather Graham, Jeremy John Wells, Lil Rel Howery, and Kevin Nealon. Past works include Hide Away (SXSW Grand Jury Prize) and Burying the Ex (Venice Film Festival) starring Anton Yelchin, Alexandra Daddario, and Ashley Greene.. Based in Austin, TX, Carl is dedicated to crafting films that spark meaningful conversations and leave a lasting impact.

Brandon Keeton is a dedicated workaholic with a diverse background spanning the military, sports, business, and entertainment. A retired Marine, former boxer, martial artist, and entrepreneur, he has continuously reinvented himself across industries.

Brandon was awarded an acting scholarship to Morehead State University but chose a different path, enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1992. He served for 21 years before retiring and channeling his passion into entrepreneurship, opening his own martial arts academy. While he sold the academy in 2020, he still teaches there occasionally.

His journey into acting and filmmaking began unexpectedly—while running his business, he created his own commercials and PSAs, which reignited his love for performance. That decision paid off. His debut film as an actor and executive producer, Turbo Cola, earned Film Threat’s Best Indie Comedy and Best Indie Film of the Year in 2023. Now, Brandon has expanded his creative pursuits into writing and directing, continuing to push boundaries in the industry.

Luke is a filmmaker based in the medium sized town of Harrisburg, PA. Since changing his career path from street magician to filmmaker at the age of 16, he's spent his time between commercial projects directing narrative short films & writing feature screenplays.

In the winter of 2020 he directed his first feature film, an independent heist/comedy titled TURBO COLA. Credited as one of three writers, Luke was a key player in adapting what was originally a stage-play to the screen. TURBO COLA released on June 14th, 2022 through a distribution deal with Giant Pictures to positive critical success. And won over a dozen awards, including the “Indie Feature Film of the Year”.

He is currently developing several feature projects, & helping brands leverage high impact filmmaking.

He lives with his beloved wife & children on a quiet street in Pennsylvania.