About Us

Michael Rossato-Bennett, Director/Producer

Michael Rossato-Bennett produces documentary films designed to change the world. “My dream is make films that awaken souls!’ he says. Rossato-Bennett studied film at Temple University, lighting with family friend Vilmos Zigmond. In 1982 he began his documentary career with ‘Street Dance,’ a one-hour documentary on the emerging Break-Dance scene in Cincinnati, Ohio, funded by the Ohio Arts Council. In 1984 he co-wrote and directed Victory House, a low-budget award-winning feature that follows the fates of three young men returning to small-town Ohio after WWll. In 1989, he founded a photo studio in Cincinnati specializing in travel photography and shot for National Geographic, Smithsonian, Islands Magazine, Travel and Leisure, British Heritage among others. During this time he published books on Cincinnati and Mammoth Cave. In 1996 he came to New York where he helped his younger brother start Eyeballnyc and worked as an editor. In 2009 he returned to documentary roots by starting Ximotion Media, a company dedicated to producing films for non-profits and good causes. In 2009 he made documentaries for The Mozart Academy, The Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center and Music & Memory, and began filming, ‘Alive Inside, the story of Music and Memory.’ “Alive Inside’ is slated for release in early 2013. 6 months ago a clip from ‘Alive Inside’ went viral garnering almost 8 million views and changing into a possibility the film’s dream of getting elders in nursing homes the music they left behind. At present, Rossato-Bennett has 5 documentaries in various stages of production, constantly searching for new ideas that will change the world for the better, and help people become ‘Alive Inside’.

Shachar Langlev, Director of Photography

Originally from Israel, Shachar Langlev has been working in New York’s film industry over the past several years as a director, producer and cinematographer, garnering recognition in his field. He received the Eastman Kodak Award for Excellence in Cinematography; he directed the hit music video for Damone, which aired on MTV, VH1, and was nominated at the Fuse Music Video Awards; he produced and shot Period Portrait, a short film that garnered awards from the National Board of Review and New York Women in Film and Television, and screened at festivals across the country. His latest short is touring the festivals and will next be seen in the Palm Springs FF.

Manuel Tsingaris, Editor

An editor for twenty years, some of Manuel Tsingaris’ recent projects include: The Storm that Swept Mexico, a documentary that aired on PBS in 2011, telling the story of the 1910 Mexican revolution; Writ Writer, a story about a jailhouse lawyer who brought about statewide change in the Texas penal system in the 1960s and; A Dream In Doubt, which follows a Sikh man’s journey to find peace and justice after his brother is killed shortly after 9/11. Manuel was also a contributing editor on the critically acclaimed mini documentary series, Life 360, a co-venture between ABC/Nightline and PBS.

Itaal Shur, Composer

Itaal Shur is best known for co-writing the massive Santana hit “Smooth” with Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas (which also earned him a Grammy Award for Song of the Year.) Shur was a founding member of the group Groove Collective, appearing on the group’s first two albums, 1993’s self-titled debut and 1996’s We the People, and co-penning the song “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” with Maxwell for his hit debut, Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite. Shur issued his first solo albums under the alias Big Muff (named after a classic Electroharmonix guitar distortion pedal) — 1998’s Music From the Aural Exciter and 2000’s Aurally Exciting Remixes — a combination of funk, techno, and hip-hop which spawned the modest U.K. hit “My Funny Valentine.” Shur issued the first recording under his real name in 2001, Milk & Honey: 10 Hits to Bliss. In addition to writing and recording music, Shur has created his own artist development and production company, producing music for broadcasting and computer animation.

Limore Shur, eyeball, Motion Graphics

Limore Shur is the quiet force behind the award-winning eyeball. At 40, Shur is an elder statesman in the motion graphics field and eyeball is one of the most respected Broadcast Design firms in the world. As one of its pioneers, Shur embraced the motion graphics industry in its embryonic stages, recognizing an ideal platform for exploring his creative potential. He is currently heading up the Motion Graphics for Alive Inside.

Additional Staff

Mark Demolar, Editor

Jonathan Clasberry, Associate Producer