Reflection: Key member bios
Andrey Alistratov (Producer/Dir. of Photography): Filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. His work includes numerous narrative short films, documentaries, and commercial works that have appeared on the film festival circuit as well as international broadcasters such as MTV, VH1, and Japan’s NHK. Born in Donetsk, Ukraine and having moved to New York at an early age, Andrey has explored a number of career paths before finding filmmaking. After graduating Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Economics and Literature, he has worked in professions as varied as financial asset research, music recording, and finally, various aspects of film and video production. Andrey is a founding partner of Noka Productions and Noka Films. With more than 40 projects to his credit, Andrey works with clients such as MTV, NHK, PBS, Universal Music and Atlantic Records.
Hazuki Aikawa (Writer/Director): A graduate of the University of Tokyo with a background in science journalism, Hazuki has since worked with NHK, BBC, Fuji and Kyodo Television. Film credits including directing short films such as “Gone” “Notes” “Violin and the City” “The Night” “Listen” “Upgrade” and feature documentary “Yancha” for Fuji Television in Japan; producing commercials, music videos, and educational videos for MTV, ELLE TV, PBS, and major fashion brands. Hazuki is a founding partner of Noka Productions and Noka Films.
Leah Cogan (Tara Mills): Leah Cogan is a Canadian stage and film actress, recently graduated from Brown University’s Theatre Arts program. In 2009 she was awarded the Middlefield Scholarship for the Performing Arts as the winner of CBC’s national theatre competition. She has since been seen on stages in the US, including Off-Broadway, as well as seen testing her craft on screen, most recently in ‘Reflection’. Leah is an advocate for arts education and works as an empowerment workshop facilitator for youth and adults.
James Ciccarelle (Alex Mills): James Ciccarelle has been pursuing his love of performing since first appearing on stage at age 5 in a local production of
Annie. He has since been cast in numerous local and Off-Broadways productions, several films and webisodes, and this year was selected to perform with NYC based ballet company
Ballets With a Twist. James studies dance, drama, voice, and musical theater at Class Act Performing Arts Studio in South Orange, NJ, and is a member of their Performing Arts Company. When he grows up, he intends to be a professional actor for half of each year, and a professional football player for the other half.
Hazuki Aikawa (Writer/Director): A graduate of the University of Tokyo with a background in science journalism, Hazuki has since worked with NHK, BBC, Fuji and Kyodo Television. Film credits including directing short films such as “Gone” “Notes” “Violin and the City” “The Night” “Listen” “Upgrade” and feature documentary “Yancha” for Fuji Television in Japan; producing commercials, music videos, and educational videos for MTV, ELLE TV, PBS, and major fashion brands. Hazuki is a founding partner of Noka Productions and Noka Films.
Leah Cogan (Tara Mills): Leah Cogan is a Canadian stage and film actress, recently graduated from Brown University’s Theatre Arts program. In 2009 she was awarded the Middlefield Scholarship for the Performing Arts as the winner of CBC’s national theatre competition. She has since been seen on stages in the US, including Off-Broadway, as well as seen testing her craft on screen, most recently in ‘Reflection’. Leah is an advocate for arts education and works as an empowerment workshop facilitator for youth and adults.
James Ciccarelle (Alex Mills): James Ciccarelle has been pursuing his love of performing since first appearing on stage at age 5 in a local production ofAnnie. He has since been cast in numerous local and Off-Broadways productions, several films and webisodes, and this year was selected to perform with NYC based ballet company Ballets With a Twist. James studies dance, drama, voice, and musical theater at Class Act Performing Arts Studio in South Orange, NJ, and is a member of their Performing Arts Company. When he grows up, he intends to be a professional actor for half of each year, and a professional football player for the other half.