ANDREW CYMEK (Writer / Director / Editor) is the creative force behind Defiant Empire. His extensive knowledge in writing, directing, and editing have made him a one-man operation in all creative aspects. His earlier work includes “Bertha’s Diner”, a short film optioned by Silverthorne Productions to be developed into a television series entitled “Grimm Tales”, and “The Pretender”, a forty-five minute short that received high honors at both the LA and New York International Film and Video Festivals.

His most recent work includes the action thriller “Medium Raw” starring John-Rhys Davies, and Mercedes McNab which will finish shooting in August 2008.

BRIGITTE KINGSLEY (Producer) started Defiant Empire with long-time business partner Andrew Cymek three years ago. With her 15 years of experience as a performer and extensive knowledge of the film industry, she made the cross from actor to producer with ease. Her first project was a collaboration between Canadian company Tricon (Matchmakers, Restaurant Makeover) and the US company Light-Hearted Entertainment (Extreme Makeover) for a project she starred in and created “Bitch for Hire”. “Dark Rising” is her first feature film.

She is currently producing several projects including a documentary on Canadian UFC fighter Justin Bruckmann, and the feature films “Medium Raw” and “Blood Moon Fever”.

MIHKEL HARILAID (Producer) and his company Black Walk have been prominent figures in the Canadian film industry for over a decade. Mihkel began his career producing music videos and quickly became Canada’s most influential music video production company with a slate of over 500 music videos for artists including Nickelback, Shaggy, Alanis Morissette and Our Lady Peace.

His films include the highly acclaimed comedy “Phil the Alien”, Warren P. Sonoda’s “Ham and Cheese”, “Last Hour” starring Billy Baldwin, Michael Madsen and David Carradine” and Michael DeCarlo’s “Washed Up” only to name a few.

BRAD SMITH (Director of Photography) is a freelance cinematographer based in Toronto, Ontario. His body of work includes award winning shorts, commercials, music videos and feature films. Equally confident with both film and emerging video and HD formats, he is an asset on any set.

His recent work include “The Pretender”, a short film that received top ratings at both the LA and New York International Film and Video Festivals, “The Conductor” a short that can be viewed on the Movieola network and the action-thriller “Medium Raw”.

JIM PEACOCK (Creature Design and Costume Designer) and JEFF SKOCHKO (Special FX Supervisor) have collaborated as creative genius’ on several high profile film and television productions. Some of their most memorable work include the monster armoured vehicle “Dead Reckoning” in George A. Romero’s “Land of the Dead”. This gigantic truck was complete with gatling guns and launchers, pyrotechnics and Smoke effects to create a larger-than-life zombie-killing machine.

Other credits on their long list of accomplishments include “Foolproof” starring Ryan Reynolds, “Cube Zero” and “American Psycho II”. They’ve also done numerous television series’ such as “Mutant X”, “Ghostly Encounters” and “The Fifth Estate”.

MARTY BEECROFT and JOE HESLIP (Music Composers) have been in the music industry for over fifteen years. In 1999, they won a Genie Award for their song “One Thing to Say” in the feature film “Jacob Two Two and the Hooded Fang”.

Their career started as boy band sensation “V.I.P.” when their first single “It’s Just My Luck” hit the top of the charts and they won “Best New Group” at the Canadian Radio Music Awards. Now known as “After Tuesday”, the group have made the leap from pop to country and collaborate with some of Canada and Nashville’s top hit writers including Cyril Rawson (Reba McEntire), Blair Daly (Faith Hill, Keith Urban) and Joel Feeney (LeAnn Rimes) among others.