Michael is a an actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian.  He is driven by a passion to create art that entertains audiences and fosters robust conversations about our shared human journey.

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This began with his directorial debut, the award-winning film, Svetlana’s Journey. Touched by the real-life story of a 13-year-old Bulgarian girl sold by her adoptive parents and trafficked to Holland for prostitution, Michael wrote and directed Svetlana’s Journey, a film based on her life. Svetlana’s Journey was the winner of the 2005 Hollywood Film Festival Best Short Subject Award and the HDFEST Deffie Award for Best HD Dramatic Film.

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Michael’s second film, Cargo: Innocence Lost, a documentary on sex trafficking in the United States, has been lauded for its effective spotlight on the issue here at home. In 2008, Michael created the I Stop Traffic Awareness campaign using his films as a way to spread awareness, support victims, and organizations. Michael toured the world creating awareness events/film screenings with numerous organizations, such as: FBI, Homeland Security, LAPD, National Association of County Commissioners, National Foundation of Women Legislators, People To People International, United Nations Film Association, Salvation Army, Soroptomist, and Los Angeles County Unity Coalition. Michael has taken part in more than 50 panel discussions, most notably partnering with Suzanne Mubarek, the First Lady of Egypt, and her Excellency Sheikha Sabiqa, the Queen of Bahrain, on their anti-trafficking campaigns.

 

He is the recipient of the prestigious People to People International (founded by Dwight Eisenhower) Make a Difference Award and was honored in a ceremony alongside the Prime Minister of Albania and the president of Relief International. His work has been featured on CNN, ABC World News Tonight, and The Tyra Banks Show, to name a few.

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