The Clang Rose Film Festival stands as a testament to the visionary intellect of its founder, the distinguished Carmelo Soberano. A seasoned luminary within the world of wedding cinematography, Carmelo boasts an illustrious background in the film industry, having thrived as a director, producer, and even a fashion show impresario over the years. His extensive and multifaceted career has engendered a profound comprehension of the art of visual storytelling.

Harnessing the wealth of his experience, Carmelo conceptualized this pioneering festival as an homage to the extraordinary talents of wedding filmmakers, acknowledging their indispensable contributions to the cinematic domain. In his capacity as a true luminary of the field, Carmelo perceives wedding cinematography not merely as an art form but as a means to encapsulate and eternize the quintessence of love and human connection.

The Clang Rose Film Festival is the living manifestation of Carmelo’s unrelenting commitment. It provides a global platform that not only reveres and venerates wedding filmmakers but also serves as a hub for cinephiles worldwide. Through thoughtfully curated workshops, enlightening dialogues, and priceless networking opportunities, Carmelo actively nurtures the growth of aspiring filmmakers and consistently pushes the boundaries of their craft.

Having irrevocably altered the landscape of the wedding industry, Carmelo’s unwavering endorsement of wedding filmmakers has propelled the festival to ascend as a radiant beacon of inspiration and recognition. This historic juncture beckons to all who harbor an appreciation for the enchantment of love stories portrayed through the lens of exceptional filmmaking. We invite you to partake in Carmelo’s visionary odyssey, to embrace the chance to be a part of an epoch-defining event that resounds with the ardor and dedication Carmelo has poured into every frame and narrative.

After earning her MBA in Finance and International Business at New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Elsie played key management roles with several international banks and accounting firms including Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and PricewaterhouseCoopers. She later co-founded “One-Stop College Counseling.” where she currently serves as the CFO. In 2023, Elsie assumed the role of Hospitality and Public Relations Coordinator at Clang Rose. As the primary liaison for filmmakers, guests, and industry professionals, she leverages her exceptional organizational skills, effective communication, and amicable personality to cultivate a welcoming environment at Clang Rose events. Elsie is committed to ensuring a positive and memorable experience for all attendees and guests.

May Huang is a seasoned financial expert with over two decades of experience in accounting, audit, and taxation. As the Head of Sponsorship & Fundraising for the Clang Rose Film Festival, she brings her extensive financial acumen and professional expertise to support the festival’s mission of celebrating and promoting the art of cinema.

May’s journey in the world of finance began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Metropolitan State University. Throughout her career, she has navigated the complexities of finance and auditing, working with prominent “Big Four” firms, regional public accounting companies, and private industry.

With a specialization in audits for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Merger and Acquisition (M&A) transactions, financial due diligence, and corporate restructuring, May has demonstrated her exceptional skills in ensuring financial accuracy and compliance. Her dedication to precision and attention to detail have made her an invaluable asset in the finance industry.

Outside of her professional life, May shares her world with her husband, Yi, and their two children. They call Princeton, New Jersey, their home, where May not only excels in her career but also contributes her expertise and passion to the Clang Rose Film Festival. Her commitment to the festival’s success, combined with her financial prowess, makes her an instrumental part of the team, driving the festival’s growth and success.

May Huang’s dedication to the world of film, coupled with her financial expertise, makes her an essential figure in ensuring the Clang Rose Film Festival’s continued success and expansion. Her tireless efforts in sponsorship and fundraising will undoubtedly help the festival flourish and continue to enrich the world of cinema.

Cynthia, an eminent professional with a distinguished 25-year journey, stands as the driving force behind the Clang Rose Film Festival in her role as Executive Producer. Her narrative weaves event orchestration, public relations finesse, and talent curation into an exquisite tapestry.

Holding an accounting degree from Kean University, Cynthia wields a unique blend of analytical acumen and creative flair. Her touch has graced the iconic New York Fashion Week, where her meticulous guidance transformed runways into captivating showcases. Notably, she directed CliQ International’s runway with artistic brilliance.

Beyond the realm of fashion, Cynthia shines as a celebrated competitive Latin dancer and leads the Mayong Performing Arts Group, connecting cultures through the universal language of art across the United States and China.

Her stewardship of the Clang Rose Film Festival is a testament to her legacy—a dedication to transformative events, artistic finesse, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Cynthia’s touch elevates the festival to unparalleled heights, where each frame becomes a masterpiece and every moment resonates with emotion. Her tale is etched as a paradigm of event mastery and production prowess, forever enriching the annals of the industry.

Sai Sagar Patnaik, known as Psy, boasts over 17 years of dynamic experience in film, television, and radio. Renowned for his strategic prowess, Psy has conceived and executed successful international and regional shows. His expertise extends to formats like “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “America’s Got Talent,” and more TRP driven shows. Psy excels in management and seamlessly strategizing content. His unique blend of creativity, marketing and business acumen has yielded numerous successful ventures. Psy’s experience spans diverse locations worldwide, offering a profound understanding of regional dynamics. Holding a Master’s degree emphasizing IT skills, he’s adept in IT skills and possesses a strong aptitude for strategic thinking. Additionally, he made significant contributions to the Academy Award-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire.” Psy’s remarkable contributions continue to shape the realms of film, television, and radio, leaving an enduring mark.

Featured as one of the ‘Top 5 actors to keep your eye on’ in Fentress Fanzine 2021, Saanchi Amin is an American actress of Indian descent who has portrayed strong woman characters in all her films, commercials and print campaigns globally. Her purpose to express, engage and empower was reflective in her role as CIA agent Samaira in the recently premiered film #ModelsWanted (Dir: Milly Ali) in AMC, NY. Her first Hindi commercial in the States for Remitly, celebrating mother-daughter bonds reached over 4.7MN+ views in 2024. Principal lead and supporting roles for various other campaigns for Remitly, Novartis (Europe), DMV, Get Covered NJ, Verizon, NatureMD, Empire State Realty, Community Health & Behavioral Services, PSAs. While in India, she filmed a couple of shorts and corporate videos for Ernst & Young. She also hosted over 100+ corporate, lifestyle and entertainment events for Exhibit Magazine, Reliance Digital, Times of India to name a few. A work-in-progress artist and human, as Saanchi Amin continues to wear multiple hats, her vision is to support and be the voice of narratives that are interwoven with real, humane and complex emotions that genuinely empower the community at large.

We are thrilled to announce that the Clang Rose Film Festival will be offering a range of awards and prizes to recognize the outstanding talent and creativity of our participants. From the grand prize of Best Film to the awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, and Best Performance, our festival is dedicated to celebrating the best of the best in filmmaking.

Director of Global Marketing Strategy is a senior-level position that involves overseeing and guiding the development and execution of Clang Rose Film Festival marketing strategies on an international scale.

Jon-Paul Gates is one of the most prolific UK actors EVER with 113 IMDb Credits; 92 of which are movies. He got his first break in the BBC’s soap, “Eldorado”. After various short films and a Channel 4 TV series, “Focus North”, he starred in his first feature film “Cold Fish” in 1999, playing the lead role of Alex. In 2001, he secured lead roles in Palm Tree’s “The Hawk & the Dove” and played the antagonist ‘Ida’ in “Winter Warrior”; which entered the top 10 DVD films in Russia in 2004. From 2002 to 2006 he accumulated more films in Europe; “The Prodigal”, “Red Rose”, “Axe Raiders” before trying his luck in the USA. After getting his big break in Vampire flick Revamped”, he starred in The Asylum’s Dragon, with Gary Busey in “Beyond the Ring” and Danny Trejo in “Dark Games”. Traveling back and forth, he played the evil priest opposite Jeff Fahey and Martin Kove in “Messages”, Peter in “Carmen’s Kiss” with Hugo Speer and Bruce Payne. Gates has also worked with Bruce Payne on “Tales of the Supernatural”. To date, Gates has starred in 14 movies in USA.
Jon-Paul Gates continues to work internationally. After voicing the ‘robotic uvers’ in “Dark Side of Heaven”; and an alcoholic in “Blood Forest”; he starred opposite Brian Cox in “Believe” about the 1958 Munich Air Disaster; portrayed the medium in the “Haunted” franchise and a photographer high on cocaine in the USA smash hit (3 million views) “Casting Couch”. Jon-Paul excelled as a lawyer in “Essex Boys: Retribution” ; a radio producer in “Kicking Off” ; a clown/hitman in “I am Hooligan”, an officious prison guard in “Borstal”; unscrupulous Judge Brack in anticipated Ibsen classic, “Hedda Gabler”; Dr. Frankenstein himself in “The Howling”; evil Prince Favian in “Dragon Kingdom”; Rudi Schneider in what is now the UK’s most successful independent film in 2018-19, “The Haunting of Borley Rectory”. Recently, Gates impressed audiences with his Italian hitman in “Nest of Vampires” and soon to be released USA movies; horrible ‘Spitter’ in “Lockdown Hauntings” & as the protagonist in horror flick “Alfred”.

The Clang Rose Film Festival stands as a testament to the visionary intellect of its founder, the distinguished Carmelo Soberano. A seasoned luminary within the world of wedding cinematography, Carmelo boasts an illustrious background in the film industry, having thrived as a director, producer, and even a fashion show impresario over the years. His extensive and multifaceted career has engendered a profound comprehension of the art of visual storytelling.

Harnessing the wealth of his experience, Carmelo conceptualized this pioneering festival as an homage to the extraordinary talents of wedding filmmakers, acknowledging their indispensable contributions to the cinematic domain. In his capacity as a true luminary of the field, Carmelo perceives wedding cinematography not merely as an art form but as a means to encapsulate and eternize the quintessence of love and human connection.

The Clang Rose Film Festival is the living manifestation of Carmelo’s unrelenting commitment. It provides a global platform that not only reveres and venerates wedding filmmakers but also serves as a hub for cinephiles worldwide. Through thoughtfully curated workshops, enlightening dialogues, and priceless networking opportunities, Carmelo actively nurtures the growth of aspiring filmmakers and consistently pushes the boundaries of their craft.

Having irrevocably altered the landscape of the wedding industry, Carmelo’s unwavering endorsement of wedding filmmakers has propelled the festival to ascend as a radiant beacon of inspiration and recognition. This historic juncture beckons to all who harbor an appreciation for the enchantment of love stories portrayed through the lens of exceptional filmmaking. We invite you to partake in Carmelo’s visionary odyssey, to embrace the chance to be a part of an epoch-defining event that resounds with the ardor and dedication Carmelo has poured into every frame and narrative.

Sai Sagar Patnaik, known as Psy, boasts over 17 years of dynamic experience in film, television, and radio. Renowned for his strategic prowess, Psy has conceived and executed successful international and regional shows. His expertise extends to formats like “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “America’s Got Talent,” and more TRP driven shows. Psy excels in management and seamlessly strategizing content. His unique blend of creativity, marketing and business acumen has yielded numerous successful ventures. Psy’s experience spans diverse locations worldwide, offering a profound understanding of regional dynamics. Holding a Master’s degree emphasizing IT skills, he’s adept in IT skills and possesses a strong aptitude for strategic thinking. Additionally, he made significant contributions to the Academy Award-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire.” Psy’s remarkable contributions continue to shape the realms of film, television, and radio, leaving an enduring mark.

Featured as one of the ‘Top 5 actors to keep your eye on’ in Fentress Fanzine 2021, Saanchi Amin is an American actress of Indian descent who has portrayed strong woman characters in all her films, commercials and print campaigns globally. Her purpose to express, engage and empower was reflective in her role as CIA agent Samaira in the recently premiered film #ModelsWanted (Dir: Milly Ali) in AMC, NY. Her first Hindi commercial in the States for Remitly, celebrating mother-daughter bonds reached over 4.7MN+ views in 2024. Principal lead and supporting roles for various other campaigns for Remitly, Novartis (Europe), DMV, Get Covered NJ, Verizon, NatureMD, Empire State Realty, Community Health & Behavioral Services, PSAs. While in India, she filmed a couple of shorts and corporate videos for Ernst & Young. She also hosted over 100+ corporate, lifestyle and entertainment events for Exhibit Magazine, Reliance Digital, Times of India to name a few. A work-in-progress artist and human, as Saanchi Amin continues to wear multiple hats, her vision is to support and be the voice of narratives that are interwoven with real, humane and complex emotions that genuinely empower the community at large.