Principles and Associates 
Kurt Vanzo began Anakin Films in 1998, after a successful 10 year post-production
career in Hollywood feature films and television, helping to produce Emmy winning
programs such as Rugrats, Real Monsters, The Maxx, Wild Thornberries, As Told By
Ginger, and Drawn Together. While working on "The Maxx" in 1996, Sam Kieth, the
creator of the show, suggested Kurt try his hand at live-action features. Two years
later Anakin Films was born. With the first film "The Vanzerelli's" it began a journey
in film production that still continues today. Next came "The Killing Machine"(2001)
which Kurt wrote and directed, and makes his first collaboration with John Bonner
as Director of Photography. Using all Panavision film cameras, they established a
shooting style and elegance that they continued into feature film productions.
They went on to collaborate on a number of films including "The Animal in Us All",
"Test Drive", "McFwap!", and "Robot News". Kurt is currently producing feature film
scripts through Anakin Films, always with an eye toward bringing new stories to life
and new styles of storytelling to the big screen.
For more on Anakin Films beginnings, see our Background Page.
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John R. Bonner Jr joined Anakin Films at it's inception, building upon his
cinematography background to help produce some of his most memorable films
for the company. Beginning his craft in Boston, he has risen up through the ranks
of lighting and camera operating to become one of the strongest cinematographers
on the east coast. In 1996 he made the moved to Los Angeles, shooting productions
based in Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. He began his work at Anakin Films on
a new production called "The Killing Machine", a sci-fi action story shot on the streets
of Los Angeles. Shot entirely with Panavision Cameras, it marked the first true film production at Anakin Films. Since that first production completed, John has helped
to bring many projects to Anakin Films and their partners, providing some of the
most original packages the company has seen to date. John adds his enthusiasm
and energy to everything he helps produce, inspiring everyone at Anakin Films to
reach beyond an ordinary production and build films that are truly unique.
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Osman Soykut is a producer and actor who has worked with Anakin Films
on a number of projects since his involvement in the 2001 Sci-fi thriller
"The Killing Machine". Working in the United States as well as his native home
of Turkey, Osman has brought international style and financing to Anakin Films.
Working over the years with top production companies such as 20th Century Fox,
United Artists, Touchtone Pictures, Archlight Films, Mesquite Entertainment, and
The American Film Institute, Osman Soykut bings an experience and know how
that thrusts Anakin Films into a world marketplace. Helping to see that the Anakin
Films slate has a wider appeal and brings elements that help them communicate
to a larger audience. In conjunction with his associates in America and abroad,
Osman has brought in new life to Anakin Films, helping it to become more than
just a Los Angeles based company, but a worldwide film production entity.
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David Kabbe has produced a number of projects in and around Los Angeles,
yet also has spent much of his live traveling the globe. Searching for stories
and producing filmed segments on every continent. His years of dedicated work
as a writer, actor, stunt coordinator, and producer, David brings a balance of
production know-how and international savvey to every feature project he
becomes a part of. Bringing passion to the page as well as to the screen.
Looking toward a renewed push in feature film production that will help Anakin
Films become more of a global player. Reaching out from independent Hollywood
productions to bring filming to new places, and new cultures. As a part of our
commitment to excellence in all areas of production, Anakin Films is excited
to work with David on numerous feature film projects, both in-development
and continuing through production.
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Gregg Vanzo is president and owner of Rough Draft Studios and has a been a
wonderful collaborator to Anakin Films. With his wonderful VFX work in "The Killing Machine", Gregg has a keen eye and artist mind that brings difficult shots to life
in amazing ways. Over the last 20 years in entertainment production, he has had
the business skill that has kept him and his studio on top of the Animation world
with projects such as "The Simpsons Movie", "Star Wars : Clone Wars" , "Ren and
Stimpy", "The Maxx", "Drawn Together", and "Futurama". Anakin Films looks
forward to a long working relationship with the hyphanet. As producer, director,
animator, and visual effects artist, Gregg has done work that has always stretched
the limits of our visual landscape and redefined what can and can't be done in
current movie productions.
For more on Rough Draft Studios visit their website.
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Dave Kim has worked on numerous feature productions, mixing live-action,
animation, and CGI to produce amazing results. With projects such as "2012",
"Golden Compass", "The Day the Earth Stood Still", and "The Mummy: Tomb of
the Dragon Emperor" David has been able to skillfully combine elements and put
together VFX teams that create incredible movie magic. His Trans-Pacific work
includes assembling teams in Asia and Australia that rivals the best of Hollywood.
Allowing him to create amazing production values within even the smallest of
budgets. Dave brings a creative energy and excitement that fuels everything he
produces. Anakin Films is pleased to partner with Dave, bringing a new level of
quality to our feature productions.
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Anakin Films is proud to be a part of a growing community of filmmakers,
all with the intent of making quality movies that have a good story to tell, one that
captures the viewer's imagination and exports them to the world of the story.
Our company is made up of a wide variety of industry professionals, all with different
backgrounds and skills, coming together with one common purpose and goal:
To raise the bar in feature films and make films that appeal to a worldwide audience.
Copyright Anakin Films. All rights reserved.