- Rob Pfaltzgraff is a member of the Producers Guild of America and has served as the president of the Moving Picture Institute (MPI) since its founding in 2005. He has led the organization from its inception into a multimillion-dollar production company and talent incubator that creates high-impact films designed to entertain, inspire, and educate audiences with captivating stories about human freedom. He manages the overall operations of MPI, including the production of MPI Original films, which have won several industry awards, and MPI’s talent development program that has supported hundreds of up-and-coming filmmakers. He has successfully raised and overseen tens of millions of dollars in financing for MPI’s award-winning productions. Rob has dozens of producer credits including lead producer on MPI Original narrative feature Motherland starring Tony Award winner Miriam Silverman; the MPI Original and BET Original feature biopic Kemba; and the MPI Original narrative features Freedom Hair, starring Simona Brown, Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game, starring Mike Faist (BAFTA-nominated) and Crystal Reed, and Miss Virginia starring Emmy® winner Uzo Aduba, Golden Globe® nominee Matthew Modine, and Academy Award Nominee Aunjanue Ellis. Rob’s producer credits also include the feature-length documentary Project Home (Official Selection Heartland International Film Festival), the digital series We’re Doing Good (Official Selection SXSW), and the short film A Piece of Cake starring Rich Sommer (Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival, Nominated for Best Narrative Short). In addition, Rob served as co-executive producer on the feature documentary The Dissident (Official Selection Sundance Film Festival, BAFTA-nominated).
He is the lead producer on all MPI Original films managing all aspects of development, production, and distribution making all key creative and business decisions. Rob is currently developing and producing the MPI Original narrative feature One Second After based on William R. Forstchen’s New York Times bestselling series as well as several forthcoming short and feature-length MPI Original films.
Nick Reid is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Moving Picture Institute’s executive vice president and treasurer. His producer credits include the soon-to-be-released MPI Original narrative feature Motherland starring Tony Award winner Miriam Silverman; the MPI Original and BET Original feature biopic Kemba on BET+; the MPI Original narrative feature Freedom Hair on Starz starring Simona Brown; the MPI Original narrative feature Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game on Hulu starring Mike Faist (BAFTA-nominated); and the MPI Original narrative feature Miss Virginia starring Emmy® winner Uzo Aduba, Golden Globe® nominee Matthew Modine, and Academy Award® nominee Aunjanue Ellis. Nick’s producer credits also include the short film A Piece of Cake starring Rich Sommer (Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival, Nominated for Best Narrative Short); the short film The Perfect One; the digital series We’re Doing Good (Official Selection SXSW); and the feature-length documentary Project Home (Official Selection Heartland International Film Festival). Nick is currently developing and producing the MPI Original narrative feature One Second After based on William R. Forstchen’s New York Times bestselling series, as well as several forthcoming short and feature-length MPI Original films. Prior to joining MPI, Nick was the executive vice president of a nonprofit organization where he oversaw development operations and student leadership development programs.
Lana Link is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Moving Picture Institute’s senior vice president. She collaborates with the executive staff to acquire, develop, and produce MPI Original films. She also works with filmmakers in MPI’s talent development programs and runs MPI masterclasses. Her various producer credits include the short film A Piece of Cake starring Rich Sommer (Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival, nominated for Best Narrative Short); the digital series We’re Doing Good (Official Selection SXSW); feature-length documentaries Los Últimos Frikis and Project Home (Official Selection Heartland International Film Festival). She also produced MPI Original feature narratives Motherland starring Tony Award winner Miriam Silverman and Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game starring Mike Faist (BAFTA-nominated) and Crystal Reed; the MPI Original and BET Original feature biopic Kemba; and the MPI Original narrative features Freedom Hair, starring Simona Brown, and Miss Virginia starring Emmy® winner Uzo Aduba, Golden Globe® nominee Matthew Modine, and Academy Award® nominee Aunjanue Ellis. Lana served as co-executive producer on feature documentary The Dissident (Official Selection Sundance Film Festival, BAFTA-nominated). Lana is currently developing and producing several forthcoming short and feature-length MPI Original films including the MPI Original narrative feature One Second After based on William R. Forstchen’s New York Times bestselling series.
She is a graduate of the University of Chicago and a former Fulbright grant recipient in Vienna, Austria. She earned her JD from Pepperdine University School of Law and her certificate in independent producing from UCLA Extension. Lana is an associate member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
Kimberley Browning is a veteran filmmaker and film festival professional. She has served on festival programming teams for Tribeca Film Festival, Catalyst Content Festival, LA Film Festival, and Guadalajara International Film Festival—Los Angeles. She has contributed her curation expertise to Los Angeles’ historic Ford Theatre, Tarfest at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as well as the Broad Stage. Kimberley has extensive experience navigating feature and short films through the festival circuit in the US and internationally, as well as facilitating both traditional, specialty theatrical and DIY distribution strategies and audience building for indie films. She oversaw festival strategy and exhibition management for the HBOACCESS® Directing Fellowship’s productions. And she crafted festival and distribution strategy for Tribeca’s AT&T UNTOLD STORIES million dollar feature grant program. Kimberley’s own film credits include Being Michelle (GoodDocs), Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance (HBO Max), Earbuds (Comedy Dynamics), All Hallow’s Eve 2 (Roku), and Archie’s Final Project (Netflix).
Joseph Corey is the vice president of philanthropic investments at the Moving Picture Institute, where he leads the organization’s fundraising strategy and cultivates relationships with its supporters. He works with the executive team to finance the development, production, and distribution of MPI Original films, as well as to support MPI’s talent development programs. A native of Rochester, Michigan, Joseph holds a BS in economics and philosophy from Central Michigan University and an MPhil in political thought and intellectual history from the University of Cambridge.
Bradford Downs, the Moving Picture Institute’s director of talent engagement, oversees the Hollywood Career Launch Program and the Rising Filmmaker Program while continuing to expand and grow MPI’s talent network. He first worked with MPI as the producer of the nine-time award-winning MPI-supported documentary short The Conqueror. Since then, he has participated in a number of MPI initiatives, including the internship program, the Producer’s Playbook, masterclasses, and on-set roles as production assistant and production coordinator. Prior to joining MPI’s team, he both produced and acted in the independent feature films 4/20, Rosé All Day, and Happy Ending, with additional producing credits including the feature films White Elephant and Her Name Was Jo. He also helped launch and produce an original children’s content YouTube channel called Pillow Fort Kids TV. Originally from Tidewater, Virginia, Bradford holds both a BS in interdisciplinary studies and an MBA from The College of William & Mary.
Tara Gallardy, the Moving Picture Institute’s vice president of production, plans all major events across the organization and works with the executive staff to produce MPI films. She earned her BA in communications and public relations from Shippensburg University. Prior to joining the Moving Picture Institute, Tara was the director of events at a nonprofit organization where she oversaw the development, execution, and evaluation of all donor and student events.
Talya Messeri, a philanthropic investments officer with MPI, works with supporters to deepen existing relationships and introduce new individuals to the organization’s powerful programs and projects. Prior to joining MPI, Talya’s career focused on working with startups and longstanding organizations to create overall growth strategies and expand fundraising capabilities through outreach and engagement efforts. She is a graduate of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California with a degree in cinema-television production.
Paul Olivett, a philanthropic investments officer with MPI, has more than 30 years of experience as a professional fundraiser including six years with a political magazine and five years with The Pennsylvania State University. A native of upstate New York, Paul attended college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, before moving to State College to work for Penn State where he also earned a master’s degree in higher education.
Beth Reid, the Moving Picture Institute’s marketing associate, assists with executing the marketing and development strategies of the organization. She previously worked in the nonprofit sector in project management, curriculum development and execution, event planning, and media coordination prior to working as a freelance copy editor and writer. Beth earned a BA in writing and in mass communication from Indiana Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in theological studies.
Nicole Roewe, the Moving Picture Institute’s director of creative development, is the point person working with screenwriters and directors to develop strong concepts and scripts for production with MPI Original Films. Prior to joining MPI’s team, Nicole worked in creative development at Millennium Media, Hollywood’s largest independent film company, producing action franchises such as the Has Fallen films starring Gerard Butler, The Hitman’s Bodyguard films with Ryan Reynolds and Sam Jackson, and the Rambo franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. Nicole has a double MA in historical research and creative writing from the University of Roehampton in London where she previously lived and where she worked in historical storytelling at sites such as the Benjamin Franklin House and the Digby Stuart War Memorial Project. With her BFA in television and broadcast journalism from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media, Nicole’s work in media includes experience in multiple newsrooms on both the local and national level in mediums covering print, online, television, and radio. In addition, she is the author of three books on Amelia Earhart’s last flight.
Anastasiia Rusanova, the Moving Picture Institute’s staff writer, is responsible for developing original copy and editing written materials to solicit support through donor communications, expand MPI’s networks, and grow audiences. She has previous experience in marketing, editing, development, and communications within the nonprofit and national media sectors. Anastasiia earned a BA in Linguistics and English Language from Southern Federal University in collaboration with Warsaw University and an MA in Political Science from Jagiellonian University. Additionally, she completed fellowship programs at Stanford University and Purdue University.
Allison Ryan, the Moving Picture Institute’s vice president of marketing, is responsible for crafting and executing strategies that amplify the organization’s work. She previously served as the director of media relations for a DC-based think tank where she oversaw daily media outreach and developed comprehensive communications strategies for research products. Allison earned her BA in government from the University of Texas at Austin.
Deb Schick, the Moving Picture Institute’s director of operations, assists with the coordination of communications, fundraising, and development efforts. She also co-produces MPI shorts and serves as an associate producer for MPI features. Prior to joining the Moving Picture Institute, Deb worked as an independent editor and a senior manager in book and technology retail. Deb studied English literature and philosophy at the University of Rhode Island.