The Annex Film Group (AFG) is a one-of-a-kind production Company born from the collective vision of dedicated artists. This vision started as a germ of an idea between a tight-knit group of actors, craftsmen, writers, producers and directors working at the Sanford Meisner Center for the Arts in Los Angeles, the one and only theatre founded by the legendary acting teacher, Sanford Meisner.

While producing critically acclaimed plays in the late 1990s and into 2000, the artists experienced how difficult it was to attract a mostly television and film-focused Los Angeles audience into small playhouses. So they turned their attention to the film and TV format and put themselves to work. In 2002, the Annex Film Group was formed. “Annex” refers to the group’s theatrical roots, while “Group” signifies the most unique aspect of the Company.

Members of the AFG function entirely in community to develop, finance and produce films 100% independently. Dues are collected from the members each month, which in turn are saved to pay for future productions.

It is the AFG’s goal to give its members an opportunity to experiment in filmmaking. In doing so, members select and develop projects, and then act, write, direct, produce and crew the productions on a rotating basis.

The Annex Film Group has produced 15 short films thus far in 6 years.

Karni Baghdikian

On the heels of his directorial debut short TRADE, Karni recently directed his second narrative short film, Written By, penned by Trevor Boelter and Matt Duggan.

Karni’s first taste of Hollywood magic came at 15 as a background actor in Scent of a Woman, where he was inspired by Al Pacino's Academy Award winning performance and the subtlety of Martin Brest's directorial brilliance. After student teaching in his high school TV Productions class before taking a decade-long hiatus from production to study beer and rugby at Babson College, Karni resurfaced with a B.S. in MIS/Finance, an appetite for visual arts, and a profound desire to make movies for the rest of his life.

Karni currently studies screenwriting at UCLA and works as a Digital Producer for David&Goliath.

Stephanie Bell

Stephanie Bell is a producer for AFG as well as a producer theater in Los Angeles. "Tag", her first adventure with AFG as producer, won Best Short Film at the 2006 Westwood International Film Festival and was a finalist at the 2006 Toofy International Film Festival. Stephanie has also produced for such companies as Soft Serve Pictures, By The Woods Productions, the award-winning theatre companies Ensemble Studio Theatre-The LA Project (where she currently serves as Managing Director), Sacred Fools (Co-Artistic Director 2001 Season), Theatre of NOTE, and Chautauqua Theatre Alliance (Board of Directors), The Outlawstyle Thrance Company (managing producer 1999-2005), and The Edge of the World Theatre Festival. Two of the films Stephanie has produced for AFG are currently in post-production and a third, "You S*ck", has begun its travels through the film festival network. Stephanie was recently chosen to produce for AFI's prestigious Women's Directing Workshop. A native New Yorker & graduate of Mike Nichols' New Actors Workshop in NYC, she has performed Off-Broadway, regionally, in film & TV.

Trevor Boelter

Trevor Boelter is an actor and screenwriter, who has been active member of the AFG since 2002. Trevor wrote AFG's first short, "Working 5 to 9," and directed "A Day in the Life" in 2004. An avid theater performer, Trevor is a staff-writer and actor in the sketch comedy show, "Fries on the Side" as well as a member of the Sanford Meisner Center for the Arts, in which he has starred in numerous productions. Most recently, Trevor starred in the AFG production of "Tag." When not on the stage or in front of the camera, Trevor continues to write, having recently completed "Lease on Life," an original screenplay written with John Burish. Recently Trevor and John received honors for their feature length screenplay “American Sumo”, which was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2006 Slamdance Screenplay Competition.

John Burish

John Burish is an actor, writer and director with experience in both stage and film and is one of the founding members of the Annex Film Group. John began his filmmaking career with his grandparents super 8 camera as a pre-teen in Indiana. Although, these silent-films featured friends from the old neighborhood, plenty of Karo syrup and red food coloring, and the most realistic looking toy guns his allowance could buy, he nonetheless had trouble finding distribution. Eventually, he came to LA and studied acting at the Meisner-Carville School of Acting with Martin Barter. John quickly fell in love with the theater and went on to play such roles as: Scoop in “The Heidi Chronicles”, Bradley in “Carbondale Dreams”, the lead in Dennis McIntyre’s “Modigliani” and Sid in “Waiting for Lefty” among many others. John has also written and directed many short films including the Annex’s “A Real Doozy”, “Coffee Daze” and “Robbie’s Withdrawal”. He has also starred in “What’s the Point” and as the ruthless “it” assassin, Jake Bishop in Matt Duggan’s “Tag”. He can also be seen as the maniacal boss in “Trade”. John and fellow member Trevor Boelter received honors for their feature length screenplay “American Sumo”, which was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2006 Slamdance Screenplay Competition.

Nicole Chamberlin

Ms. Chamberlin started her career as a talent coordinator on the set of "Washita", an educational film about the 1868 Battle of Washita River produced for the National Parks Service. She went on to produce segments for several leading cable television programs on the Food Network, the Style Network, Home and Garden Television and the DIY Network. Nicole's 8 years of experience in television and film production are supplemented by an extensive background in social services and international travel.

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Matt Duggan

Matt Duggan is a screenwriter/director living in Los Angeles. His screenplays have placed in various competitions (PAGE International Screenplay Awards, Slamdance, 2006 Screenplay Expo) and his stage play "false positive" received critical acclaim during its run in Los Angeles. Recently, Matt wrote and directed TAG for the Annex Film Group. TAG won best picture at the 2006 Westwood International Film Festival and was an official selection at the 2006 Toofy Film Festival.

Matt is also the creator/director/writer for the ongoing, online comedy series called MAN VS., starring Trevor Boelter and Frank Krueger. The MAN VS. episodes have been viewed more than 3 million times.

Matt's website is www.mattduggan.com.

Roy Ferré

Roy Ferré has been writing screenplays and making his own movies since he was ten years old. His short films have screened at the Kodak theater and in Germany where he studied film for two weeks with the Young Filmmakers Association. He currently works at the Directors Guild of America and has recently completed a screenplay about corporate espionage.

Roy can be reached at FerreFilms@yahoo.com.

Shelly Gant

Shelly Gant grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma and moved to Los Angeles in 1991 after making it to Producers on a nationwide cattle-call audition for the Robert Mulligan film “Man in the Moon”. Although she ultimately didn’t get the part, her curiosity had been peeked. Within a year of landing in L.A., Shelly began working at Crystal Sky International, an independent film company. She continued there over the next 4 years as Director of Distribution Services while studying acting with Beverly Dean and John Kirby. Shelly joined Shoreline Entertainment in 1997 as VP of Distribution Services. She attended film markets and festivals in her 7 years in distribution including AFM, Cannes, Mifed, Sundance and Natpe. Meanwhile, Shelly continued her love for acting studying with David LeGrant and Martin Barter at The Sanford Meisner Center. She served as the Managing Director at The Sanford Meisner Center for a brief stint, and produced several staged productions there. Shelly received praise for her stage roles in “Women Speak,” a series of monologues written by Christine Scowley and the role of “Beatrice” in Dennis McIntyre’s “Modigliani”. She also starred in the award winning short film “Since My Last Dance”. Shelly is a founding member of Annex Film Group, a short film company designed to give its members the opportunity to experiment in filmmaking. Shelly made her writing and directing debut with AFG’s “Manejar”, selected for competition at the 2005 Los Angeles International Latino Film Festival. Shelly’s most recent AFG endeavor is in front of the camera in “Robbie’s Withdrawal”.

Carla Hiresh

Carla is an actor and producer who has been a member of the Annex Film Group from it's inception in 2002. She studied with Martin Barter at the Sanford Meisner Center for 3 years and comedy improv at The Groundlings. She is currently studying at the Larry Moss Studios with
Michelle Danner. Carla has performed in a number of the Annex Film
Group films and looks forward to many more. When not acting, she gets her AFG fix by using her craft services talents and baby wrangling
abilities. Although acting is her passion, Carla may consider
producing again for the right price. Right price= $50 Gazzillion.

Dawn Joyal

Originally from RI, Dawn has loved performing since she learned to stand. Her mom never let her take tap, so when she got to college; she started dancing and has not stopped yet. Acting took over as her drug of choice in 1989 when she moved to LA with hubby and their new baby (who is now driving…UGH!) Many, many theatre experiences later, here she is with Annex Film Group. Dawn stars in the short See Jane Dance (where she gets to act and dance) directed by Mona Nash Boelter and appears in a bunch of AFG’s other shorts.

Stephanie Little

Currently living in New York and LA, Stephanie continues to work on and off screen. She is writing a feature and acting in films and commercials. Stephanie has studied in Los Angeles with Lesly Kahn, Anthony Meindle, Howard Fine, The Groundlings Theater and in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Other than acting and writing her other true love is traveling. She has also begun a small company helping working actors learn their lines. You can check it out at: thelinepimp.com.

Mona Nash

Mona Nash is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston University's College of Communication. Mona has produced numerous short films for the Annex Film Group and other companies; independent television shows and theatrical productions, including several at the Sanford Meisner Center. She was a long-time producer's assistant and development manager at Carsey-Werner productions' 3rd Rock From the Sun, That '70s Show in addition to many other television series and pilots. Mona was the Line Producer of the 35 mm independent feature film, Trippin' Forward with a $500,000 budget that will be released in 2006. She works as a location scout / manager for commericals and most recently for the CBS drama series, "CSI: NY."

Mona is also a professional photographer; her work can be viewed at www.monanash.com.

Chris Pauley

As an Actor, Writer and Director, Chris relishes the opportunity to create great work with the hungry and talented group of perfectionists that comprise the Annex Film Group. Chris has achieved critical acclaim in Theatrical Performances that have taken him all over the country. Currently he can be seen on stage with the Sketch Comedy Group "Fries on the Side".