Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program opens the door to nonprofit funding for independent filmmakers and media artists. Donate today and help bring The Maltese Cross to life.

 

Logline

The Maltese Cross follows the inimitable life of a famed motion picture engineer and shows audiences what happens after an immigrant has achieved their so-called American Dream. All While passing the torch to a hopeful new generation.

Synopsis

A ninety-year-old motion picture engineer born on the floor of a movie theater in Malta finally returns home after a life spent working with his heroes of the silver screen. As he readies to retire and repairs his final pair of 35mm projectors, he reminisces about nearly a century behind the screen and his collaborations with Hollywood legends: Frank Sinatra, Stephen Spielberg, Howard Hughes, Warren Beatty, Barbra Streisand, and many more.

Near the end of his illustrious career, he meets an unlikely young collaborator, who he mentors before leaving Hollywood for good. The Maltese Cross brings audiences through one man’s impact on an industry and the dying art of traditional film projection.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Maya Neumeier – Co-Director
Maya grew up In Mendocino, California where she trained under the Directors of Mendocino Theater Company, New School, New York Ballet Company, and Del Arte. She has directed well over 32 dramatic stage plays across different stages. Her favorite is her production of Peter and The Starcatchers at The Matheson Performing Arts Center. In her Interim between plays, Maya directed The short films Without Words, OAK, and Road 253 which have screened at Mendocino Film Festival, Petaluma International Film Festival, Tiburon International Film Festival, and the DGA Hollywood. Maya has held positions at Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers, Google, Apple, and Madison Square Gardens. Working on titles like Thirteen Reasons Why, Ozark, The OA, Run Coyote Run, The Matrix Resurrections, Americanized, Shang-Chi, CRABS!, Need For Speed, #Clickbait, and In Bright Axiom. Maya relocated to Los Angeles after Producing the music video for Niagra Falls (Victor Bellomo) which Ed Herrera shot, and where the two began creatively problem-solving together, and cultivating their partnership as directing partners. The two have co-directed commercials for USPS, Forge Rock, Bee The Wellness, Beverly Hills Fine Arts Theatre, California Endowment, and Harvard University..

Edward Herrera – Co-Director
A first-generation American of Colombian descent; Ed grew up in New York and went on to study the art of cinematography at the School of Visual Arts. Ed has served as the cinematographer of four feature-length narrative films, three feature-length documentaries, and well over twenty short films. His work has premiered in festivals such as Sundance, Cannes, NYFF, Tribeca, and many more.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.