Cindy Baer

Baer began her career as an actress with the Boston Children's Theatre at the age of 14. She has performed in over two dozen stage plays, including the critically acclaimed roles of Essie in the Pasadena Shakespeare Company's production of "You Can't Take It With You," and Jill in the 30th anniversary production of Leonard Gershe's "Butterflies are Free" at the prestigious Matrix Theatre in Hollywood, which she also produced.In 2001, she founded the production company Free Dream Pictures, and made her feature directing/producing debut with Purgatory House (2004), which was written by a 14-year-old at-risk girl that Baer mentored in the Big Sisters of Los Angeles Program. She cast the teenage writer Celeste Davis opposite newcomers Johnny Pacar (Disney's Now You See It... (2005), NBC's Flight 29 Down (2005)) and Brian Dietzen (NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service (2003)), in their acting debuts, alongside Jim Hanks, the talented younger brother of Tom Hanks. "Purgatory House" became a critical darling, garnering feature stories in over 60 publications, including NPR's "All Things Considered", The New York Post, The Chicago Tribune, and CBS Radio. It won 12 film festival awards (including "Best Director", "Best Production",and multiple awards for "Best Film" and "Audience Choice"), 2 Prism Award Nominations, and appeared on 7 critics' lists for "Best Films of the Year" before securing distribution with Image Entertainment.Baer's second feature Odd Brodsky (2014) which she directed, produced and also co-wrote with her cinematographer husband Matthew Irving, is having similar success, having been a official selection of over two dozen film festivals, winning six festival awards, and appearing on two critics list for "Best Films of the Year". A VOD release is expected in 2016.She also directed and starred in the critically acclaimed short comedy Morbid Curiosity (2006) which screened in 25 film festivals and won 4 film festival awards. Her slate of shorts also includes Slashdance (2011) , Stalked (2011) , and Seymour Sally Rufus (2011).Additionally, Baer is the co-founder of the California nonprofit organization Patron of the Arts, whose mission is to help emerging filmmakers & artists connect with people who wish to support their art. Show less «