Established in 2005 as a one man band, Maestro Filmworks was founded upon two principles: that our work should impact others and that we create a space where talent can thrive. Since then, Maestro Filmworks has grown into a full service video production company, with work spanning across commercial, corporate, narrative and documentary projects. Storytelling is at the core of what we do. Being an independent and minority-owned company, we recognize the power of storytelling and its impact.
Kris Mendoza
Founder & Executive Producer
Whether it’s entrepreneurship or producing a film, “creating” something and seeing it “all come together” is what continually motivates Kris. With an NYU film degree and a Wharton MBA, Kris has the skills to create real balance in the film business at Maestro.
Kris Mendoza
Chief Multitasker
Having no shortage of interests, Kris is often running from one thing to the next, whether that’s woodworking, photography, running a triathlon, or badly managing his fantasy football team. Nowadays, you can most likely find him trying to keep up with his two young sons, Leo and Teo.
Jo Shen
Creative Director
Jo believes moving images can help tell a story that touches others. Raised by Chinese immigrant parents in America, she is fascinated with discovering untold stories that highlight diversity and unique experience while finding the universal and relatable significance within them.
Jo Shen
Aspiring Daydreamer
When you do find Jo taking a break, she will most likely be hanging with her pup, Brownie, taking on a culinary endeavor, scribbling in her notebook or simply people watching. To her, every human interaction has a story.
Lexi Morrison
Post-Production Manager
A jack-of-all-trades, Lexi started her career by building a live video production department from the ground up. She has developed a passion for managing creative teams, tapping skills in logistics and operations.
Lexi Morrison
Modern Day Carmen San Diego
Lexi is an avid traveler and enjoys practicing photography to celebrate the places she’s been. She spends her free time enjoying live music, a cosmo or glass of wine, and settling into a good binge of Criminal Minds with her kitties, Ozzy and Bowie.
Maria Vattimo
Lead Producer
Maria is a film producer and director who creates visually striking pieces that inspire and spark discussion amongst viewers. Her latest film, Kim, played in over a dozen film festivals including Philly’s own, Philadelphia Film Festival.
Maria Vattimo
Cool Kid Alert
When she’s not working, you’ll find Maria out hiking with her Australian Cattle Dog named Boots, rewatching Succession, or experimenting in new culinary endeavors.
Kris Mendoza
Founder & Executive Producer
Whether it’s entrepreneurship or producing a film, “creating” something and seeing it “all come together” is what continually motivates Kris. With an NYU film degree and a Wharton MBA, Kris has the skills to create real balance in the film business at Maestro. Jo Shen
Creative Director
Jo believes moving images can help tell a story that touches others. Raised by Chinese immigrant parents in America, she is fascinated with discovering untold stories that highlight diversity and unique experience while finding the universal and relatable significance within them.
Lexi Morrison
Post-Production Manager
A jack-of-all-trades, Lexi started her career by building a live video production department from the ground up. She has developed a passion for managing creative teams, tapping skills in logistics and operations.
Maria Vattimo
Lead Producer
Maria is a film producer and director who creates visually striking pieces that inspire and spark discussion amongst viewers. Her latest film, Kim, played in over a dozen film festivals including Philly’s own, Philadelphia Film Festival.
Amanda McDonnell
Producer
Amanda has gained experience from a wide range of roles across the industry, and is therefore able to understand many of its moving parts, combining her creativity and planning skills to find the story and tell it in an engaging way.
Amanda McDonnell
Spreadsheet Enthusiast
On her off time you can find Amanda experimenting with new crafts and occasionally fostering a litter of kittens.
Hunter Davis
Associate Producer
As a filmmaker, Hunter strives to connect people through storytelling, admitting that if he can make you laugh, cry, or empathize in any way then he’s done his job.
Hunter Davis
Human Embodiment of a Cocktail Wiener
If he’s not making movies, Hunter is hanging with his lovely partner, Isabelle, and their cat, Peggy. He is trained in Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu, boasting a blue belt as well as the ability to play 5 instruments!
Mike Kaiser
Creative Producer
All across the globe, Mike has devoted his talents to video production by shooting, editing, writing, and collaborating with lots of talented creative folks. He loves to uncover a great story and develop it into something that shines.
Mike Kaiser
Pop Culture Encyclopedia
When he’s not producing or chasing his dog Rooney around, Mike enjoys catching up on every British crime drama and travels every chance he gets.
Charles Morabito
Producer
With the right balance of humor and grace, Charles seeks out stories of the strange, rare, and untold. Regardless of genre, Charles approaches every project with a bold touch, often bridging commercial and documentary worlds.
Charles Morabito
Cat Daddy
Charles never thought he could get along with the feline species, until one fateful day he met a sweet tabby girl named Ella Fitz. Now humbled, he is a legitimate cat daddy and can often be found photographing portraits of window cats.
Amanda McDonnell
Producer
Amanda has gained experience from a wide range of roles across the industry, and is therefore able to understand many of its moving parts, combining her creativity and planning skills to find the story and tell it in an engaging way.
Hunter Davis
Associate Producer
As a filmmaker, Hunter strives to connect people through storytelling, admitting that if he can make you laugh, cry, or empathize in any way then he’s done his job.
Mike Kaiser
Creative Producer
All across the globe, Mike has devoted his talents to video production by shooting, editing, writing, and collaborating with lots of talented creative folks. He loves to uncover a great story and develop it into something that shines.
Charles Morabito
Producer
With the right balance of humor and grace, Charles seeks out stories of the strange, rare, and untold. Regardless of genre, Charles approaches every project with a bold touch, often bridging commercial and documentary worlds.
Geoff Nichols
Producer
With a background in broadcast journalism, Geoff brings his passion for storytelling and technical know-how to all projects he produces.
Geoff Nichols
Jack of all trades, Master of puns
Geoff is a curious traveling foodie, with only a few culinary regrets, and he'd like to apologize to that Icelandic whale.
Chisom Chieke
Production Coordinator
Chisom is a multi-hyphenated filmmaker - writing, directing, and producing stories that explore radical love, acceptance, and growth within Black diasporic communities.
Chisom Chieke
Chizzy Crocker
When she's not filmmaking, Chisolm can be found enjoying nature, building ceramics, or baking something that incorporates chocolate...lots of it.
Katie Feher
Project Coordinator
Armed with an exacto blade and an iron will, Katie is a 2-time Emmy Award winning Art Director who contributes out-of-the-box problem solving and critical thinking to the team. She hunts for stories, using every art she has to practice, listen, and ask questions of the world around her.
Katie Feher
Stud Finder
Katie is curious about everything, especially human behavior and experiential knowledge. She’s prone to asking deep questions, zeroing in on the stud that structures any story, person, or belief. You’re bound to learn a little more about yourself when talking to Katie.
Brandon Wyche
Photographer
Brandon’s background in fashion photography shows in every image. He’ll help you see your best-self by inspiring confident, genuine presence.
Brandon Wyche
Aspiring Penman
Whenever he gets curious about something, from tech to craft, Brandon has a penchant for digging in deep to learn every bit he can. His current passion is fountain pens and penmanship.
Geoff Nichols
Producer
With a background in broadcast journalism, Geoff brings his passion for storytelling and technical know-how to all projects he produces.
Chisom Chieke
Production Coordinator
Chisom is a multi-hyphenated filmmaker – writing, directing, and producing stories that explore radical love, acceptance, and growth within Black diasporic communities.
Katie Feher
Project Coordinator
Armed with an exacto blade and an iron will, Katie is a 2-time Emmy Award winning Art Director who contributes out-of-the-box problem solving and critical thinking to the team. She hunts for stories, using every art she has to practice, listen, and ask questions of the world around her.
Brandon Wyche
Photographer
Brandon’s background in fashion photography shows in every image. He’ll help you see your best-self by inspiring confident, genuine presence.
Maria Cantu
Editor
From compelling feature-length documentaries to fast-cutting music videos, Maria’s specialty is setting the tone and finding the perfect pace for bringing each piece to life. Through visual storytelling, she believes people and memories can live forever.
Maria Cantu
Y2K Chick Flick Enthusiast
If she isn't cuddling her cats or singing to herself, Maria’s probably taking a long walk to explore and get some fresh air (pepper spray in hand... obviously). With a mosaic of interests from writing and jewelry making, to poetry and makeup, everything speaks to Maria’s inner artist.
Stephen Yia
Junior Editor
Stephen believes in the power of creativity and what it does positively to the human consciousness. He plans on becoming a public advocate for the protection of creative classes in schools.
Stephen Yia
Professional Keyboard Clicker
Stephen enjoys reading and writing as a way to challenge his creative mind. Through these outlets, he hopes to develop a positive impact in many people's lives. He also loves to play video games as a way to relax.
Ray Ermel
Equipment Technician
Ray has been creating content from a young age, inspired by the beauty of life-long friendships, music, and adventures in skateboarding. He values team collaboration as he works towards becoming a successful DP and finds fulfillment as part of a team hustle towards a job well done.
Ray Ermel
Swiss Army Knife
Ray is known to throw a camera in his backpack and ride his bike around the city, using his spare time to notice and appreciate all those little moments spent with friends and family.
Justin Tran
Studio Manager
With years of experience behind the camera Justin is sticking a new feather in his cap by taking on the mantle of Studio Manager. Meeting other creatives and working together is the kind of opportunity that brings a spark to his life!
Justin Tran
Blissful Creative
Justin enjoys pushing himself out of his own comfort zone, but inside the bubble, he has two little kitty kats that keep him company while he sings to himself, dances, and practices Muay Thai.
Maria Cantu
Editor
From compelling feature-length documentaries to fast-cutting music videos, Maria’s specialty is setting the tone and finding the perfect pace for bringing each piece to life. Through visual storytelling, she believes people and memories can live forever.
Stephen Yia
Junior Editor
Stephen believes in the power of creativity and what it does positively to the human consciousness. He plans on becoming a public advocate for the protection of creative classes in schools.
Ray Ermel
Equipment Technician
Ray has been creating content from a young age, inspired by the beauty of life-long friendships, music, and adventures in skateboarding. He values team collaboration as he works towards becoming a successful DP and finds fulfillment as part of a team hustle towards a job well done.
Justin Tran
Studio Manager
With years of experience behind the camera Justin is sticking a new feather in his cap by taking on the mantle of Studio Manager. Meeting other creatives and working together is the kind of opportunity that brings a spark to his life!
Andrew Czudak
Motion Graphics + Animator
Andrew is a lover of short form media and minimalist design, prized for developing elegant solutions to visual problems. He is a self-proclaimed creative generalist who knows how to value progress over perfection.
Andrew Czudak
Unofficial IT Guy
Professional procrastinator with the attention span of a puppy. Will upgrade your computer for $. Probably thinking about video games at this very moment.
Emily Delp Poppa
Motion Graphics + Animator
Evolving from her earliest Microsoft Paint doodles, Emily has worked in fields of print design, web design, and illustration before finding her home in animation and motion here at Maestro. She’s hungry to learn and ready to work!
Emily Delp Poppa
The Delpening
Emily is devoted to clearing out her extensive IMDB watchlist, but when she's not in front of a screen, she can be found playing guitar, goofing around with her cats, hiking, and playing tennis with her husband, Vince.
Austin Dean
Junior Animator and Designer
Visual Storytelling is at the forefront of everything Austin creates. With a never ending passion to learn and create, he is always up to something exciting.
Austin Dean
Dean-o-mite
Austin loves movies, cheese pizza, and not being bit by mosquitoes. While not opposed to long walks on the beach, Austin prefers being snuggled up under a fluffy blanket for a quiet night in.
Rylee Meyer
Executive Assistant
Having navigated through radio and television, Rylee comes to Maestro with some unique ways to craft a story. She firmly believes that each one is an opportunity for human connection, and a way to identify pieces of herself along the way.
Rylee Meyer
Habitual Shiba Inu Observer
When not at work (and maybe sometimes at work) Rylee has two things on her mind: shiba inus and flowers. Her two life goals are to own a flower farm and a shiba inu to frolic in the flowers with her two cats.
Betsy Oliphant
VP of Business Development
With years of experience as a strategic and creative leader across production, advertising & sales, Betsy thrives connecting "the dots" - people, projects, ideas and insights. She strives to advance opportunities designed to move brands forward and inspire a connection.
Betsy Oliphant
Yo Bets
Having lived in and visited multiple cities across the US and Europe, Betsy enjoys exploring arts & culture of all kinds and is always up for trying something new. With a passion for performance, you're likely to find her at a karaoke bar or one of many local theater venues - off or on stage!
Shantini Munthree
Brand Strategy
Shantini’s joy is positioning a brand through its narrative, its visuals, and other communication elements. As a strategist, Shantini applies her global brand leadership experience combined with her straightforward street-sense to unpack a higher level brand impact.
Shantini Munthree
Brand Whisperer
When Shantini is not conjuring up great branding, she can be found soaking up the Californian sunshine and fresh air, enjoying cultural travel and cuisine, sustainable treasure-hunting, mentoring, and volunteering.
Patrick Parker
Web Developer
Patrick has an extensive background in both web design and music production. He uses his creativity to find common ground between the two, providing unique solutions and insights.
Patrick Parker
Beat Master Supreme
A.) Vinyl enthusiast B.) Code wizard C.) Audio editing super ninja D.) Part-time Tito Jackson look-alike? E.) all of the above?
Andrew Czudak
Motion Graphics + Animator
Andrew is a lover of short form media and minimalist design, prized for developing elegant solutions to visual problems. He is a self-proclaimed creative generalist who knows how to value progress over perfection.
Emily Delp Poppa
Motion Graphics + Animator
Evolving from her earliest Microsoft Paint doodles, Emily has worked in fields of print design, web design, and illustration before finding her home in animation and motion here at Maestro. She’s hungry to learn and ready to work!
Austin Dean
Junior Animator and Designer
Visual Storytelling is at the forefront of everything Austin creates. With a never ending passion to learn and create, he is always up to something exciting.
Rylee Meyer
Executive Assistant
Having navigated through radio and television, Rylee comes to Maestro with some unique ways to craft a story. She firmly believes that each one is an opportunity for human connection, and a way to identify pieces of herself along the way.
Betsy Oliphant
VP of Business Development
With years of experience as a strategic and creative leader across production, advertising & sales, Betsy thrives connecting “the dots” – people, projects, ideas and insights. She strives to advance opportunities designed to move brands forward and inspire a connection.
Shantini Munthree
Brand Strategy
Shantini’s joy is positioning a brand through its narrative, its visuals, and other communication elements. As a strategist, Shantini applies her global brand leadership experience combined with her straightforward street-sense to unpack a higher level brand impact.
Patrick Parker
Web Developer
Patrick has an extensive background in both web design and music production. He uses his creativity to find common ground between the two, providing unique solutions and insights.
Our mission is to be the trusted storytellers that shine a light on stories that need to be told, doing so with the brightest and most creative talent, for the world’s top brands and companies.
Our vision is to be the leading advocates for sustainable careers and lifestyles in the film industry in order to enable our people to make an impact in their communities.
Our ethos is to approach our work with a focus on diversity and inclusion, ensuring that we are intentional in empowering and employing members of marginalized communities in our industry.
Our mission is to be the trusted storytellers that shine a light on stories that need to be told, doing so with the brightest and most creative talent, for the world’s top brands and companies.
Our vision is to be the leading advocates for sustainable careers and lifestyles in the film industry in order to enable our people to make an impact in their communities.
Our ethos is to approach our work with a focus on diversity and inclusion, ensuring that we are intentional in empowering and employing members of marginalized communities in our industry.
