About FAI

Fernwork Arts Incubator's mission is to foster the creation and presentation of new art through the formation of a cross-discipline community of artists; conduct joint fundraising efforts on behalf of individual artists; and create public awareness and support of artists and artistic projects.

Michelle Kaffko is Co-founder of Brown Finch Films, and a photographer for over 14 years, Michelle has made several short, feature, narrative and documentary films with Chicago production companies and filmmaking collaboratives, typically as cinema-tographer. Her educational background also includes a bachelor's degree in Cinema Studies theory and psycho-analysis, with teaching experience. She is a member of Women in Film Chicago, The International Documentary Association, The Society for Cinema and Media Studies, and The International Women's Writing Guild.

Ashley Simone straddles both sides of the camera as producer and talent. At age four, she fell in love with dance and being seen on the stage. At 21, she ran off and joined the circus and toured as a dancer. A few years later she fell in love with producing. She has produced several short films and is developing a cooking show titled Foodgasm.





	The Mission	Fernwork Arts Incubator's mission is to foster the creation and presentation of new art through the formation of a cross-discipline community of artists; conduct joint fundraising efforts on behalf of individual artists; and create public awareness and support of artists and artistic projects.



	Funding	Fernwork Arts Incubator is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit tax exempt organization incorporated in 2003. Donations to FAI are tax deductible. Donations can be for general operating support or may be allocated for specific projects. Projects and programs by FAI have been funded by: Oak Park Area Arts Council Illinois Arts Council Illinois Humanities Council Individual donors



	The Board

		Michelle Kaffko is Co-founder of Brown Finch Films, and a photographer for over 14 years, Michelle has made several short, feature, narrative and documentary films with Chicago production companies and filmmaking collaboratives, typically as cinema-tographer. Her educational background also includes a bachelor's degree in Cinema Studies theory and psycho-analysis, with teaching experience. She is a member of Women in Film Chicago, The International Documentary Association, The Society for Cinema and Media Studies, and The International Women's Writing Guild.

	Ashley Simone straddles both sides of the camera as producer and talent. At age four, she fell in love with dance and being seen on the stage. At 21, she ran off and joined the circus and toured as a dancer. A few years later she fell in love with producing. She has produced several short films and is developing a cooking show titled Foodgasm.

		Etta Worthington is a writer turned filmmaker. With a background in journalism and creative writing, she decided to tell stories in a visual format and has been writing and directing films for the last several years as Fernwork Productions. In addition to writing and directing, she teaches script writing in the Television Department at Columbia College Chicago.

	Laura Zinger directed and produced *Proceed and Be Bold!* (http://www.brownfinchfilms.com/currentfilms.html and has produced several documentaries and television shows as an Associate Producer at Naperville Community Television. She is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Motion Picture/Television Department at College of DuPage and is co-founder of Brown Finch Films.


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