Mariya Somova
Writer, Director, & Executive Producer
Mariya Somova is a Ukrainian political refugee who left home at the age of 16 to pursue a career in filmmaking. She began by dreaming up concepts and filming them on her small home camera. Eventually, she relocated to New York in order to gain industry exposure and opportunity in the field. She developed by working different industry-related jobs, during which she learned every aspect on set. Each experience along her path ultimately informed her most personal film yet, I Want to Live on Mars. Together with Joe Cyrus she co-founded and owns AuraPyre Productions, focusing on independent filmmaking and music production.
Joe Cyrus
Executive Producer & Original Score
Joe connected with Mariya Somova in Los Angeles to direct his music video D3spair|Va Fuera in 2020, and they instantly clicked. Inspired by Mariyaʼs dedication and passion Joe agreed to compose the original score for I Want to Live on Mars. An accomplished electronic producer and hip-hop artist Cyrus brings a dynamic approach to his contemporary compositions and is ecstatic to provide the soundscape for Somovaʼs vision.
Jordan L. Sims
Executive Producer
Jordan is a highly driven and motivated individual from Buffalo, NY. He's dreamed of becoming a filmmaker since he was in middle school and made sure to back up his words with his actions. He began to grow his network and production experience by working on big-scale shows such as The Politician (Netflix) and Manifest (NBC). He has grown his reputation as a Director and Producer in New York City by creating numerous music videos, commercials, and short films. Jordan seeks out projects that will not only entertain an audience, but allow them to escape their everyday life and experience a new world. He thinks this film, I Want to Live on Mars, will do just that!
Bradley Custer
Executive Producer
Bradley is an actor, writer and producer who has performed in numerous stage and film productions over almost 20 years. Favorite film roles have included lead parts in Bloodlines, Isabelle, Naz & Maalik and Southern Gothic. Bradley's most successful writing project was the riotous dark comedy Blood Orange Sorbet which won awards at the Strawberry Theatre Festival in 2012. He is very excited to be part of the team working toward Mariya Somova's second feature film project and cannot wait for her much-needed contribution to art in US cinema.
Alice Wells
Executive Producer
Alice is is the Owner, and Managing Partner of Cordell Productions and an international award-winning Executive Producer/Screenwriter as well as Director, Producer, Film Investor, and part of the progressive metal/rock band 'Electric Alice'.
David J. Keogh
Executive Producer
David is known for John Sunshine's Lost Rock 'n' Roll Tapes (2022), Mental Health and Horror: A Documentary and The Bezonians (2021).
Kevin Koperski
Executive Producer
Kevin is known for I Want to Live on Mars, The Claim (2015) and After the Fade.
Justin M. Thomas
Producer
Justin is an independent filmmaker, writer, visual artist, and entrepreneur based in NYC. He strives to create films that foster hope, resilience, and love through the powerful medium of Film, and to provide a space for education, reflection and open dialogue on issues and movements that are critically important in our turbulent times. He established the community-based mobile app Black Independent Filmmaker, which connects, educates, and supports indie filmmakers of color.
Matti Leinikka
Producer
Matti is a Copenhagen-bound actor and producer. He did 5 years of theatre school, including 2 years at Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC. Besides acting he has written, directed, and produced 5 short films, which have had success in various film festivals around the world.
Anderson Boyd
Producer & Editor
formative years in coastal Wilmington, North Carolina eventually led him to NYC. He is primarily known for his editorial work on Winter's Bone (2010), The History of Future Folk (2012), Cold Weather (2010), and his feature directorial debut, Well Wishes (2015).
Mark Ezovski
Producer
Mark is best known for his feature Across Dot Ave. and the cult fave documentary The Absolute Truth About Pro Wrestling. Mark Ezovski is a New York City-based writer, director, cinematographer, and editor. He is currently in pre-production on two new features and a number of dramatic, comedy, and horror shorts.
Gabriel Theis
Producer
Gabriel is a writer, director, and producer currently based in Houston, Texas. A graduate of the University of Houston, Gabriel's directorial debut, The Curse of Professor Zardonicus is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He also has an extensive background in the field of communications, whether it be in crowdfunding campaigns or social media.
Anna Priscilla Robles
Producer
Anna is a graduate from the University of Houston with a BA in Media Production and minor in Marketing. She is no stranger to the field having spent almost seven years in the TV/Film Industry as a producer, editor, and camera operator. Her range of work includes commercials, documentaries, music videos, short films, symposiums, concerts, sports and real estate. In her spare time building her collection of bank notes, traveling, doing anything outdoors, and polishing her fourth language, Japanese.
Frederick Shaibani
Co-Producer
Frederick is a film professional with a background in both above-the-line and below-the-line roles. A 2015 graduate of the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University, Frederick has worked on numerous projects, including indie features, award-winning short films, music videos and TV pilots, both in the US and in Australia. He lives in Los Angeles.
Adam Ninyo
Director of Photography
Adam an NYC-based filmmaker and photographer who recently completed and got distribution for his first microbudget feature film. He has experience producing a wide range of content from ads to music videos to feature films, as well as keeping productions on budget, on schedule, and without sacrificing quality.
Shine Delphi
Composer
Shine travels this world with a resonator guitar, and a few words to share. Born in Pennsylvania, raised in California, and rebirthed in the crescent city of New Orleans. Shine is a performer that will leave you feeling good, and wanting more.