In 1994, Michael Toubassi co-founded Upstairs Entertainment, a non-profit organization dedicated to producing cutting-edge live theater and experimental films. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and a minor in Media Arts, Toubassi served as the managing director of the Upstairs Theater Company from 1994 to 1998, where he co-produced 10 theatrical shows. Two of the productions, Italian American Reconciliation and When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder? received best production nominations from the Arizona Daily Star.

Toubassi completed his first short film, Bedspring Kiss, in 1995 while attending the University of Arizona. His second short film, Number 13, screened at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, as well as numerous other U.S. film festivals. In 1999, Michael wrote and directed his third short film, Harvest, which received the Local Origination Grant from the Tucson Pima Arts Council. The film premiered in 2000, screened at several festivals and was distributed by IFILM.com.

Toubassi’s interest in promoting the creative efforts of Tucson’s local filmmakers inspired him to launch the public screening series ‘Flash Frame’ in 1997. After hosting successful ‘Flash Frame’ screenings in Tucson and Los Angeles, he went on to produce the weekly series ‘Multi Media Mondays’ at the historic Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson, featuring short films from Arizona and the Southwest coupled with performances from national musical acts including Cat Power, Mike Watt, John Wesley Harding and Mudhoney.

A resident of Los Angeles since 1999, Toubassi’s recent film work includes the short subject documentary Renegade Bookseller, which premiered at the Silver Lake Film Festival and was a winner at the 2004 SXSW Click Online film festival.  In addition, he has created music videos for Howe Gelb, Love Mound and The Nads, and original online short films for Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox.

His first feature, High and Dry is a music documentary highlighting the unique personalities of the influential Tucson, Arizona music scene, has been on the international film festival circuit since its hometown debut in 2006. Festival highlights include: NXNW in Toronto; Lausanne Underground Film Festival in Switzerland; Allison Anders’ Don’t Knock The Rock Film & Music Festival in Los Angeles and Noise Pop in San Francisco.

In addition to his work in film production, Michael is the founder and director of the Tucson Film & Music Festival, now in its 8th year, which is held annually in October in downtown Tucson.

Filmography:

• Director: Going Back To Tucson (concert film), 2007
• Director/Editor: Love Mound “She Won’t Believe” (music video), 2007
• Writer/Director:  High and Dry, 2006.
• Director/Editor:  Let’s Go To Prison PSAs, (Universal), 2006.
• Director: Be My Ex: How to End a Relationship the Right Way, (Fox), 2005.
• Director/Cinematographer: Howe Gelb “She Towers Above” (music video), 2005.
• Director/Cinematographer: The Nads “Saigon Hooker” (music video), 2004.
• Director/Editor:  Renegade Bookseller, 2004.
• Associate Producer: Solitude, 2001.
• Associate Producer: Bread and Bones, 2000.
• Writer/Director:  Harvest, 1999.
• Writer/Director:  Number 13, 1997.
• Writer/Director:  Bedspring Kiss, 1995.

Additional Filmography Not on IMDb:

• Director/Editor: Love Mound "She Won't Believe" (music video), 2007
• Director/Editor: Let's Go To Prison PSAs, (Universal Pictures), 2006.
• Director/Editor: Be My Ex: How to End a Relationship the Right Way, (20th Century Fox), 2005.
  
• Director/Cinematographer: Howe Gelb "She Towers Above" (music video), 2005.
• Director/Cinematographer: The Nads "Saigon Hooker" (music video), 2004.

Affiliations:

• Member, Film Independent (FiND)
• Member, International Documentary Association (IDA)
• Member, Independent Feature Project (IFP/Phx)
• Member, Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (AIVF), Arizona Chapter. Served as Chairman 1997-1998.

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