Michael Toubassi
In 1994, Michael Toubassi co-founded Upstairs Entertainment, a non-profit organization dedicated to producing cutting edge live theater and experimental films. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and a minor in Media Arts, Michael served as the Managing Director of the Upstairs Theater Company from 1994 to 1998, where he co-produced 10 theatrical shows. Two of the productions, Italian American Reconciliation and When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder? received best production nominations from the Arizona Daily Star in 1996 and 1997.

Michael completed his first short film, Bedspring Kiss, in 1995 while attending the University of Arizona. His second short film, Number 13 (1997), screened at the 1998 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, as well as numerous other U.S. film festivals. In 1999, Michael wrote and directed his third short film Harvest, which received the Local Origination Grant from the Tucson Pima Arts Council. The film premiered in 2000, screened at several festivals and was distributed by IFILM.com.

Michael’s interest in promoting the creative efforts of Tucson’s local filmmakers inspired him to launch the public screening series ‘Flash Frame’ in 1997. Expanding on the success of 3 ‘Flash Frame’ screening (2 In Tucson, 1 in Los Angeles) Michael went on to produce ‘Multi Media Mondays’ at the historic and hip Hotel Congress in 1998 in downtown Tucson, featuring filmmakers from the Arizona and Southwest with musician from around the US.

A resident of Los Angeles since 1999, Michael’s recent film work includes the short subject documentary Renegade Bookseller, which premiered at the Silver Lake Film Festival and was a winner at the SXSWClick online film festival followed by a screening at the 2005 SXSW among other US film festivals.

His first feature High and Dry, a music documentary focusing on the unique personalities of the influential Tucson Arizona music scene is currently on the film festival circuit.  Recent screening include: NXNW in Toronto, Canada; Lausanne Underground Film Festival in Lausanne, Switzerland; Allison Anders’ Don’t Knock The Rock Film & Music Festival in Los Angeles CA and an encore screening at the Tucson Film Festival in Arizona.

In addition to his work in film production, Michael is the president of Bossy Management, a music management and promotions company and is the film programmer for the Tucson Film & Music Festival, in it’s third year which is held annually over Labor Day weekend in sunny downtown Tucson Arizona.

Filmography:

• Director: Going Back to Tucson: Live At Hotel Congress, 2006.
• Writer/Director:  High and Dry, 2006.
• Director/Editor:  Let’s Go To Prison PSAs, 2006.
• Director: Be My Ex: How to End a Relationship the Right Way, 2005.
• Director/Cinematographer: Howe Gelb “She Towers Above” (music video), 2005.
• Director/Editor: KFC "Starvation Island" Spec Spot, 2003.
• Director/Editor:  Renegade Bookseller, 2002.
• Director/Cinematographer: The Nads “Saigon Hooker” (music video), 2004.
• Associate Producer: Solitude, 2002.
• Associate Producer: Bread and Bones, 2000.
• Writer/Director:  Harvest, 1999.
• Writer/Director:  Number 13, 1997.
• Writer/Director:  Bedspring Kiss, 1995.

Affiliations:

• Member, Film Independent (FiND)
• Member, International Documentary Association (IDA)
• Member, Independent Feature Project (IFP/Phx)
• Member, Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (AIVF), Arizona Chapter. Served as Chairman 1997-1998.

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