Christopher M. Dukes is a seasoned actor, stuntman, and entrepreneur whose career spans over two decades in film, television, and live performance. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Dukes moved to Los Angeles in 1995 after earning a degree in Speech Communications from the University of Nebraska. Known for his versatility and physical prowess, Dukes has performed as a stunt double for Patrick Swayze and worked on major productions like G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. His recent acting credits include NCIS and the upcoming holiday film, A Heart Full of Hope. Other credits include roles in hit series such as Alias, Las Vegas, The West Wing, Transformers, Fresh Off the Boat, Very Frightening Tales, and Pump. His film work includes Angie's Cure, Twisted Date, Middleton Christmas, Reed’s Point, They Crawl Beneath, and The Christmas Chain. Beyond acting and stunt work, Dukes is the founder of Dukes Wealth Management, Inc., through which he has managed over $100 million in client assets. He is also a philanthropist, giving back to cancer and veteran organizations in honor of his family’s legacy. With training in improvisation, live performance, and business, Dukes brings a rare combination of talent, heart, and entrepreneurial spirit to every project he takes on.   @the_real_christopherdukes

How did you first get started in both acting and stunt work, and what drew you to pursue both?

My sophomore year in high school, I answered an ad in the local newspaper that said, ‘searching for talent’. Through that ad, I got my first agent and subsequently booked my first commercial for a local news station. In terms of stunt work, I went to a Six Flags live show audition in early 1997 with a friend. Out of over 200 applicants, I was one of 14 people who were chosen for a six-month contract in Texas. That show started my passion for stunt work and helped me segue into television and film work when I came back to Los Angeles in late 1997.

Can you walk us through your preparation process for a particularly challenging stunt or acting role? How do you balance the physical and emotional demands?

Typically, I will read through the entire script a couple of times to see how my character fits into the overall tone of the project. Then, I will make a choice for my character and create a backstory. If the role requires some physicality, I will make sure it’s something that the character would realistically do. For example, if I’m playing a suburban dad and I have to get into a fight, that technique might be sloppy and not as crisp as say a special ops military role might be. 

What has been the most memorable project or scene you’ve worked on, either as an actor or a stunt performer, and why does it stand out to you?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, I had the privilege of working on the West Wing. Even though I played a small role, I was able to work with the likes of Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, and Bradley Whitford. The techniques that I learned from those actors are something that helped me on later in my career. In early 2020, I was cast opposite Eric Roberts in a horror film. We had a fairly intense restaurant scene that didn’t end well for my character. The camaraderie we had behind the scenes transferred into the scene and made our relationship even more believable.

Can you describe a time when you had to collaborate closely with directors, coordinators, or fellow actors to achieve a complex scene? What made that collaboration successful?

In early 2020, I was hired to stunt coordinate an independent film by director Dan Mirvish. The finale of the movie is a fairly complex fight sequence between four characters that takes place entirely in a beach c

Famous for intricate art as well as tarot card readings, they are hard to pin down or categorize. Yet their deep spirituality lends the duo more to exploration than revolution. They don't really crash the party in the Hamptons; it's more like they evoke and paint it. Their Light-Filled, surreal perspective may be salutary in an area that absorbs a good slice of Manhattan in an attempt to flee it. (Many manage just fine, but some weekenders may never get there due to the infamous traffic jams.)

Producer and Director Annmarie Sairrino, who is based in Burbank, seems to have great fun pulling together the pieces around this puzzling, talented and fascinating couple. Seldom do people so irreverent act from a place of such transcendent intentionality. And therein is a story worth telling. It is told very well. 

You can watch the trailer here (parental discretion advised): Amy & Monte Trailer

Carlos V. Gutierrez is a film and television director whose work has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Emmy Award, and has been featured on HBO and Showtime. In the commercial world, Carlos is a highly sought after director who works on national campaigns for Turbo Tax, Princess Cruises, Exxon / Mobil, Chevy and numerous others. His commercial work for clients includes a Super Bowl commercial and PSA's that have won international recognition.

In a recent interview with Carlos, here is what he had to say:

You started your media career in advertising and won awards in that career. How did you get into advertising?

CARLOS: I was studying to be a doctor and just had one of those epiphanies where you realize you’re meant for something else. I promised my parents I would have a job before graduating from undergrad and found advertising as a great way to create and learn how productions are put together.

How was your experience studying at NYU and how did you go about making your first short films?

CARLOS: I really think film school is a personal experience (especially at the grad level). It’s what you make of it and if you’re willing to subscribe to the fact the first year is a boot camp. The staff and professors want you to vomit out all your inspirations and ideas so that you can start to develop your style so by the time you hit second year your confidence about who you are as a director grows. Not to mention I had Spike Lee mentoring me and I have to say he was instrumental in shaping me into a professional filmmaker. Once I won a few awards, my confidence really went up and I started to feel I could do this, that’s where the school and the staff are critical into helping you understand what it takes to be a professional filmmaker. 

How has your advertising career and your background influenced your filmmaking?

CARLOS: My background as a Cuban American filmmaker started with my parents who always made me feel proud to be Latino and encouraged me to never shut up about it! I really tried to put that in my films when it made sense. Advertising was a great way to learn from masters like Spike Jonze, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu and Doug Liman all of whom I watched direct while I was still a producer. 

Do you have a favorite early project you have worked on that you are most proud of?

CARLOS: Yes, that has to be the documentary short I did on my father called Journey Into Exile where it explored his personal battles of leaving Cuba and immigrating to the US. That film won best of fest and gave me some much-needed early confidence.

You are a writer, director and producer now. Can you tell us about projects you are working on now in each role?

CARLOS: I’m always a writer first since that was what I was doing since the age of twelve when I was writing short stories that scared my mom, and before I was twenty, I was a published poet. Writing for me is therapy and is really something I love to do, it’s the only time you have full creative control. As a writer / director I have three films in various stages of casting & financing ready to film in the next twelve months not to mention a docuseries we are taking out to market that will be an umbrella project encompassing the history of Cuba. As a producer, I have two TV series with partners I am really excited about and that we are taking to market this year. 

British Italian film professional Mark Foligno works as a prolific producer and executive producer. He has worked on dozens of high-profile feature films, shorts and TV series. Based in the UK, he is most known for his work on Oscar winning film The King’s Speech (2010), I Am Slave (2010), A Lonely Place to Die (2011) and most recently Freud’s Last Session(2023). 

In an interview with Mark at La Mome Beach in Cannes, here is what he had to say.

Interview by Vanessa McMahon

British Italian film professional Mark Foligno works as a prolific producer and executive producer. He has worked on dozens of high-profile feature films, shorts and TV series. Based in the UK, he is most known for his work on Oscar winning film The King’s Speech (2010), I Am Slave (2010), A Lonely Place to Die (2011) and most recently Freud’s Last Session. 

In an interview with Mark at La Mome Beach in Cannes, here is what he had to say.

Interview by Vanessa McMahon

The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is set to return from June 13 to June 22, bringing ten days of cinematic celebration to the city. Today, organizers unveiled the official selection for the prestigious Golden Goblet Awards, with winners scheduled to be announced later in June.

Photo 26th Awards ceremony courtesy SIFF

Main Competition

AFTER THE FOG

Director: Miriam Heard

Country/Region: Chile,United Kingdom,France

BLACK RED YELLOW

Director: Aktan Arym Kubat

Country/Region: Kyrgyzstan

CYCLONE

Director: Flavia Castro

Country/Region: Brazil

MY FATHER’S SON

Director: QIU Sheng

Country/Region: China, France

LOSS OF BALANCE

Director: Korek Bojanowski

Country/Region: Poland

LUISA

Director: Julia Roesler

Country/Region: Germany

ONE WACKY SUMMER

Director: CAO Baoping

Country/Region: China

ON SUMMER SAND

Director: Shinya Tamada

Country/Region: Japan

THE REBORN

Director: Santiago Esteves

Country/Region: Argentina,Spain,Chile

THE SCENT OF THINGS REMEMBERED

Director: António Ferreira

Country/Region: Portugal,Brazil

WILD NIGHTS, TAMED BEASTS

Director: WANG Tong

Country/Region: China

YOU BELIEVE IN ANGELS, MR. DROWAK?

Director: Nicolas Steiner

Country/Region: Germany,Switzerland

Asian New Talent

AS THE WATER FLOWS

Director: BIAN Zhuo

Country/Region: China

BRAND NEW LANDSCAPE

Director: Yuiga Danzuka

Country/Region: Japan

GRACE FOR SALE

Director: Gözde Yetişkin, Emre Sert

Country/Region: Turkey

KANTO

Director: Ensar Altay

Country/Region: Turkey

ODDS BEATER

Director: CHENG Liang

Country/Region: China

RIVERSTONE

Director: Lalith Rathnayake

Country/Region: Sri Lanka

SEVEN DAYS

Director: QIU Yujie

Country/Region: China

THE DAUGHTER

Director: Pourya Kakavand

Country/Region: Iran

THE LAST SUMMER

Director: SHI Renfei

Country/Region: China

VICTORIA

Director: Sivaranjini J

Country/Region: India

WATER CAN GO ANYWHERE

Director: FANG  Liang

Country/Region: China

WHERE THE NIGHT STANDS STILL

Director: r: Liryc Dela Cruz

Country/Region: Italy,Philippines

Documentary

A PART OF THE LAND