A lifelong photographer, Vanessa grew up in South Africa, inspired by the
natural world. After attending film school in Cape Town, she immigrated to
the United States to gain further experience working as producer and
cameraman for NBC, Fox, National Geographic and Discovery Channel. She was Assistant Producer on Discovery’s two-time Emmy award-winning “Wolves at our Door.”

Frustrated with mainstream media's reluctance to air contentious and
truthful subject matter, Vanessa created 21st Paradigm, which became
incorporated as a non-profit organization in February 2001.

In addition to 24 official film festival selections, Vanessa is the
recipient of twelve awards, including Best of Festival and Best Documentary
awards. Her most successful film, “Cost of Freedom,” an exposé about wolf
reintroduction and the gross exploitation of wildlife by powerful right-wing
political factions, inspired judges at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film
Festival to create a special jury award “for a filmmaker with the courage to
pursue a difficult and controversial topic.” Her films and related
campaigns, in particular “Cull of the Wild: The Truth behind Trapping”
(available on PETA TV), have made significant contributions in the legal
struggle to protect animals.

With “Lost Dogs”, her fifth independent film, Vanessa continues to give
voice to the animals she seeks to protect.

Originally from Chicago, Eric graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Theater and went on to receive an MFA in Acting at the University of Southern California. Eric switched from acting to film editing and was fortunate enough to study with some of the best editors in the industry." He worked as an assistant on such features as DANCES WITH WOLVES, THE ROCKETEER, LAST OF THE MOHICANS, THIS BOYS LIFE, NELL, BEDAZZLED, THE JACKAL, 8 MILE, and FRIENDS WITH MONEY. Eric has also worked as editor or additional editor on A SINGLE ROSE, THE FLORIST, SIX AND THE CITY, SOMEBODIES, MAYOR OF THE SUNSET STRIP, FACTORY GIRL, THE INTERVENTION, and most recently on MOTHER AND CHILD.

Having been Sam’s guardian for ten years, Eric understands the love and loyalty of a dog, making him the perfect candidate to edit “Lost Dogs”.

Tommy and Anthony have provided the branding, web design and graphics for 21st Paradigm since 2004. Their specific expertise is in advertising, graphic design, illustration, production management, identity creation, web design and flash.

As the owner of Mathematics Incorporated, Tommy provides design and flash programming services. His clients have included Ultimate Fighting Championship, Origin India, Hard Rock Hotel, Montreal Gazette and the American Institute of Steel Construction.

Anthony's background includes development for Citigroup, O'Neill/Lost Clothing, Pacific Sunwear, and Userplane/AOL to name a few. Currently he working as a Flex Developer for JibJab Media in Venice, CA. 21st Paradigm would not be where it is today without their generous commitment and talent.