ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Cynthia Newport, Executive Producer
Executive Producer Cynthia Newport is the founder and president of illume productions, which originated and developed SUMMER SUN WINTER MOON. Previously, she worked with Rob Kapilow as Chief Producer of Monuments at the Millenium – an arts collaboration involving the Kennedy Center, National Public Radio (NPR), the Kreeger Museum, and the National Symphony Orchestra, as well as a dozen community-based organizations.  Newport is also director/producer of Fidel’s Last Dance, a feature-length film scheduled for Spring 2010 release.

illume Productions
illume productions is an enterprise engaged in the development of multimedia products – including feature-length films – that focus on the intersection of arts and community: a neighborhood, a nation, or a whole culture.  illume's projects use the arts as channels into complex issues including individual and national identity, human rights, democracy, health and education.

Hugo Perez, Director & Producer
In addition to directing and producing SUMMER SUN WINTER MOON, Hugo Perez is the Producer and Director of the feature documentary Neither Memory Nor Magic, which is narrated by the Academy-Award Nominated Patricia Clarkson. In 2008, he was a recipient of the prestigious Rockefeller Foundation/Tribeca Film Institute Emerging Artist Fellowship in support of the development of his first narrative feature Immaculate Conception. Perez’ short film Julietta Y Ramon was broadcast as part of the 2005 Showtime Latino Filmmaker Showcase; after which his short film Betty La Flaca was the winner of the 2006 HBO/NYILFF Short Film Award.  Most recently, Hugo Perez was presented with the 2009 Estela Award for Documentary Filmmaking at the NALIP 10th Anniversary National Conference.