Subarna Thapa was born in 1973 in Kalaiya, BARA, and has lived 18 years in France. A graduate in dramatic arts from the Cours Florent, Paris, he has played many roles in both France and Nepal, honing his craft at the Comédie Française, Paris, and also with the Japan Foundation in Tokyo and the Asia Society in New York. His first short film, Funeral – 2008, screened in different int’l short film festivals and awarded, was broadcast on French National TV France 3, in November 2009.
SOONGAVA-Dance of the Orchids is his first feature length and the first film in the 60 years of Nepal’s cinema history to tackle the theme of same-sex relationships.
Nina Streich is the Executive Director of the Global Peace Film Festival, based in Orlando, Florida, which she founded in 2003. She boasts a rich background in the film, television, and media industries as well as in the political arena. Streich has held senior management roles in various film festivals and has produced documentaries on social issues ranging from nuclear disarmament to women’s health. She also served as Deputy Film Commissioner for the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting. Her political experience includes roles such as New York Finance Director for the Democratic National Committee and Deputy Executive Director for the NYC Host Committee for the 1994 Grammy Awards.
In addition to her festival work, Streich is an accomplished events producer, having organized film premieres, music festivals, conferences, parades, street fairs, and press conferences. She began her career as a film editor, working on trailers and marketing materials for over 50 major studio and independent films.
For More Information: https://peacefilmfest.org
Christian Oh has been a pillar of the Asian American community. As the current Executive Director of the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival (www.apafilm.org), he loves production of all types of events and projects and has lots of experiences with expos, conventions, galas, and large-scale events. Prior to that, he was the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Kollaboration DC, an Asian American Talent competition here in the DC metro area. He has been a panelist and moderator for KCON LA and NY for several years as well.
Christian has produced and directed many award-winning shorts, music videos, commercials, and public service announcements. He received his film background education from George Washington University Documentary Center, internships with Adobe at both the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, and working in the film industry in LA, NY and DC.