Cast
Tony Palles
Cole (Lead) |
Cole Smith travels to Cuba’s Isle of Youth after his father’s death to find his grandfather’s grave, and uncovers a piece of family history he never knew was his.
Tony Palles is a Tampa-born actor of Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage. Acting was a lifelong dream that he finally pursued at age 40, and he has been building an impressive body of work ever since. His commercial credits include spots for USAA, CarShield, HealthCare.gov, and Hard Rock Bet. On screen, he has appeared in the feature films Married to a Balla 2 and Velocity Kings, and starred in the award-winning short films Forest of Fools and Baby Teeth, earning Best Lead Actor for both at the Orlando International Film Festival. A proud father of two, Tony brings both heart and lived experience to the role of Cole in El Pinero.
Crew
Robert W. Potter
Writer / Producer |
Robert W. Potter is an American writer and producer as well as Florida native with a degree in filmmaking from Ringling College of Art and Design. He has worked in film and advertising for several years, both in Florida and Los Angeles, and his projects have screened and won awards at festivals and showcases including the Telly Awards, the Experience Design & Tech Awards, FilmGate Miami, and Lift Off Sessions.
Meilín Quilez Durañona
Director / Producer | S
Meilín Quilez Durañona is a Cuban filmmaker born and raised on the Isla de la Juventud. Holding a degree in Audiovisual Media Arts and as a graduate of the EICTV’s Low-Budget Filmmaking Workshop, she has worked in film, television, and advertising as a director, producer, and assistant director. Her short films have been screened and awarded at national and international showcases and festivals, including events organized by the ICAIC, FilmGate Miami, and Lift-Off.
Gabriel Karrera
Cinematographer |
Gabriel Karrera is a Havana-based cinematographer, director, and colorist with over thirteen years of experience across fiction, documentary, and commercial production. A graduate of the Universidad de las Artes de Cuba in Cinematography, he has collaborated with international production companies and worked extensively at the EICTV film school. He was nominated for the 2024 Premio Lucas and received the Premio Cubadisco 2023 for the documentary Sueños.
Osmara Alberteris
Art Director |
As a visual artist and set designer, Osmara holds a degree in Visual Arts from the “Vicentina de la Torre” Academy of Arts in Camagüey and a degree in Theater Arts—specializing in Set Design—from the University of the Arts in Havana (ISA). Her professional practice spans set design (including lighting, makeup, costume, and spatial design for theater) and art direction (design for film and television), as well as conceptual, promotional, and commercial photography.
Jonathan Fernandez
Film Composer |
Jonathan Fernandez is a Cuban-American multi-instrumentalist, pianist, and composer whose music blends orchestral, gospel, jazz, electronic, and Afro-Latin influences. Raised in a family of musicians and rooted in Latin American gospel traditions, he developed a passion for storytelling through music at an early age. With training from the University of Central Florida and Berklee College of Music, Jonathan creates emotionally driven scores that bring depth, atmosphere, and heart to visual storytelling. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical traditions, he is passionate about collaborating with filmmakers to craft memorable and meaningful cinematic experiences.
Saulo Adrián Fernández Gil
Sound Designer |
Saulo Adrián Fernández Gil is a Mexico City-based sound designer specializing in direct sound and post-production for film and media. Trained at the Universidad de las Artes (ISA) in Havana and the International Film School (EICTV) in San Antonio de los Baños, his work has screened at the Berlinale, Cinéma du Réel, and the Beijing Film Festival. Recent credits include Fukuyama, Cábala, and Uterus, and he currently works as a studio operator at Lucerna Post.
Ava Abreu
Script Supervisor |
Ava Abreu is a Florida-based film student currently studying at State College of Florida, with a focus in directing, cinematography, and technical theatre. Ava has done work on several productions in both film and theatre, ranging from directing and assistant directing to production design and run crew. Her most recent work includes directing two PSA-style shorts for her film course, and directing for her college’s play festival, Mall Stories of the 80’s.