Producers

Catherine Hardwicke: Executive Producer

Catherine Hardwicke grew up in the Texas border town of McAllen. She studied art in Mexico, and then received a degree in architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. She began her career by designing a solar townhouse complex, but soon decided that film was her true calling. She moved to California to study at UCLA's Film School, where she made her first short film. It was a combination of animation and live action that won a Nissan Focus Award. From there, she went on to work as a production designer on more than 20 features, including TOMBSTONE (1993) starring Kurt Russell, MAD CITY (1997) starring John Travolta, and VANILLA SKY (2001) starring Tom Cruise.

Catherine became inspired to write a screenplay after dating a man with a young daughter. Although she stopped seeing the man, she continued to hang out with his daughter, Nikki Reed. When the girl turned 13, Catherine saw her go through a dramatic change, becoming angry, secretive and uncommunicative. When Reed showed a passion for acting and film, Catherine decided to bring Reed in on one of her dreams—to write and direct a film. In six days, the two wrote the first draft of a screenplay based on Reed's true-life experiences. Determined to get the screenplay produced while Reed was still young enough to play a part in the film, Catherine brought the project to the attention of two producers, who were drawn to the story. THIRTEEN (2003) was filmed when Reed was just 14, playing not the character based on herself but the secondary lead, with experienced 14-year-old actress Even Rachel Wood in the lead role.

Catherine won numerous awards for her directing debut, including the Director's Award at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival; the Jury Special Prize at the 2003 Deauville Film Festival; the Silver Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival for Best First Feature Film; and the Dorothy Arzner Prize at the 2004 Director's View Film Festival.

Catherine went on to direct LORDS OF DOGTOWN, NATIVITY and the international box office phenomenon, TWILIGHT. She authored and illustrated a journal about her experience directing the film, which became a national bestseller.

Pavlina Hatoupis: Producer

Pavlina Hatoupis grew up in Africa and Greece. She moved to the U.S. to study Chinese History at Yale University.

Sheʼs been involved in film, commercials and music videos for over 12 years. Her past experience includes working for Sydney Lumet, Jonathan Demme, Wim Wenders, Hal Hartley and Koryn Kusama. In 2004, she produced a digital independent feature, THE NEW GUY, directed by Bilge Ebiri. The film went on to secure theatrical and DVD distribution through Vanguard Releasing.

An experienced commercial and music video line producer, Pavlinaʼs clients include ABC, LʼOreal, Lexus, Mazda, LG and Johnny Walker, among others.

Pavina produced Janet Grilloʼs short format directorial debut, DAY AT THE BEACH, featuring Lucinda Jenney, as well as Janetʼs second narrative short, FLYING LESSONS, starring Dana Delany. She also produced LITTLE WHITE LIES, an independent feature, line-produced Christina Beckʼs feature debut, PERFECTION.

Most recently, Pavina co-produced Gregg Arakiʼs new feature, KABOOM, which premiered at Cannes, 2010. She also co-produced GOODNIGHT MOON, developed at the prestigious Sundance Writer/Director Lab, with Jamie Patricof (producer of BLUE VALENTINE and HALF NELSON). It stars Leslie Mann, Juno Temple and Kay Pennebaker.

FLY AWAY will be her third collaboration with writer/director, Janet Grillo.

Lee Adhemar G. Feldshon: Executive Producer

Lee Adhemar G. Feldshon is a former Director of Legal Affairs and Business Development at Radio City Entertainment/Madison Square Garden and a former associate of White & Case and the entertainment law boutique of Levine Plotkin & Menin. Together with David F. Schwartz, Lee founded the entertainment law boutique of Feldshon & Schwartz, LLP (production counsel for this film). Lee is a graduate of Columbia College (B.A., magna cum laude, Rhodes Scholar State Finalist) and Columbia Law School (J.D., Stone Scholar, Columbia Human Rights Law Review). He is admitted to the bar in New York and Colorado.


David F. Schwartz: Executive Producer

In addition to practicing law, David F. Schwartz is a Founder and Director of Business and Legal Affairs for the theatrical booking agency, OBB / Off Broadway Booking (FOOTLOOSE, THE WEDDING SINGER, ALL SHOOK UP).As a theatrical producer, his credits include A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Broadway; Liev Schreiber, Scarlett Johansson), GROUNDSWELL (The New Group), Robert Wuhlʼs ASSUME THE POSITION (Ars Nova & La Jolla), Judy Goldʼs 25 QUESTIONS FOR A JEWISH MOTHER, I LOVE A PIANO (national tour), and HISTORY OF THE WORD (Vineyard). David received a B.A. from the University of Michigan, and a J.D. (cum laude) from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (Hastings Law Journal, Moot Court Board, Order of the Coif, Thurston Honors Society). He is admitted to the bar in New York, California, and Washington, D.C.