Breckfilmfest special guests

David Gallagher is most recognized from his 11 seasons as “Simon Camden” on the hit WB series 7TH HEAVEN. Prior to his time on 7TH HEAVEN,Gallagher made his mark on the big screen starring in PHENOMENON alongside John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker and Robert Duvall. In the hit sequel LOOK WHO’S TALKING NOW he re-teamed with John Travolta to star opposite Kirstie Alley. Additionally, David has starred in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SPIN & MARTY opposite Judd Nelson, ANGELS IN THE ENDZONE opposite Christopher Lloyd, THE QUIET with Elisha Cuthbert, and as the title role in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY. David has been nominated for over 10 awards, winning a Teen Choice in 2004 and a Young Star Award from The Hollywood Reporter in 1998 for his work on 7TH HEAVEN. Gallagher took some time off from acting to go to film school at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television, successfully returning to roles on CSI:MIAMI, SAVING GRACE, BONES, WITHOUT A TRACE, NUMB3RS, and SMALLVILLE. He currently resides in Los Angeles.

Tahyna Tozzi - (Starring in Trophy Kids) Born and raised in Australia, Tahyna Tozzi modeled for several years before making her way into acting. Most recently, Tahyna can be seen as “Emma Frost” in X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (20th Century Fox) opposite Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber and Dan Huston. She made her feature debut in BEAUTIFUL opposite Peta Wilson. Before making her way to the US, Tahyna was on television as series regular “Perri” in BLUE WATER HIGH, where she was voted Most Popular Actress Australia. Tahyna’s recent US television credits include CSI, CSI: NY, and ELEVENTH HOUR. The ubiquitous presence of Nathan Lee Graham. Hit films like ZOOLANDER, SWEET HOME ALABAMA, and HITCH. Critically acclaimed series like THE COMEBACK, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS and SCRUBS. Tony and Grammy Nominated Original Broadway cast “The Wild Party” (LADCC Award Best Featured Performer in a Musical and Ovation nom.) Drama League and Obie nominated “Wig Out”. Grammy award winning classical recordi ng 2005 William Bolcom’s “Songs Of Innocence And Of Experience”, First National Tours; “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Showboat”. Regional theatre and commercials, and upcoming indie “818”.

Ryan Eggold -(Starring in Trophy Kids) Ryan Eggold stars as the smart and funny “Ryan Matthews”, a teacher at West Beverly Hills High School, in the CW network’s new show 90210. Before this, Ryan starred as “Farber Kauffman” opposite Courtney Cox in the FX series DIRT. A graduate of the University of Southern California’s esteemed theater department, Eggold quickly landed recurring roles on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and OUT OF JIMMY’S HEAD, Other notable television credits include BROTHERS & SISTERS, VERONICA MARS, HBO’s ENTOURAGE and Showtime’s THE UNITED STATES OF TARA. In addition to his work in television, Eggold made his professional stage debut in the acclaimed 2006 Ahmanson Theatre/Center Theatre Group production “Dead End”, and has since appeared in “Leipzig” and “Marat/Sade”. Ryan also wrote and directed the short film MOTEL KIDS which he is currently developing into a feature film.

Elle LaMont - (Starring in Trophy Kids) Elle LaMont is an award winning actress who’s career has spanned television, commercial, web based video, & feature film. Now living in Austin, Elle started her career as a teenage model and has since gone on to play lead roles in 11 independent films and supporting roles in many others. Recently, Elle has worked on the set of Spy Kids IV (2011), the television series Friday Night Lights Seasons 1 & 2 (2006-2007), and has several films in pre-production including lead roles in The Horseman (2012), and Guerrilla (2012). In preparation for these upcoming films, Elle is undergoing extensive combat & tactical training as well as stunt driving. Elle would like to thank her family and friends for their support, and a special thank you to the coordinators of the Breck Festival of Film.

Billy Harvey - (Starring in Strings) Billy Harvey Over the years Billy Harvey has been playing his own brand of Post Modern Pop, working not only as an artist but also as a producer (Charlie Mars, Bob Schneider, Slaid Cleaves, and Steve Poltz are among his credits). A prolific writer, he has been the recipient of the International Songwriters Award for Best Rock Song “Frozen Through”, and broke into the Top 100 on the CMJ Charts with his 2007 release “Bearsick”. He has also had various TV placements featuring songs on “Terriers”, “My Generation”, and most recently ABC’s “Private Practice”. This caffeine-addled do-it-yourselfer has also been quietly directing, animating, and editing the accompanying music videos to his records. In February 2008 he shot and directed a documentary film entitled “EVERYWHERE NOW”. It depicts an almost 8000 mile odyssey Billy undertook after converting his 1981 Mercedes diesel to run on waste vegetable oil. Equal parts comedy/tragedy, the almost im mediate unraveling of his plan quickly shifts the focus of this movie from his car to his character. Filmed entirely on a laptop camera, the freezing temperatures, impossible drives, and relentless malfunctioning of his engine slants the movie away from “documentary” and more toward “confessional”. It is here, as he honks and sputters his way across America that his insights and indomitable spirit expose the true heart of this intimate movie. Harvey’s latest musical release “The Everlasting War” plays like a love letter and includes the song “The Greatest Escape”. The song caught the attention of film makers Ben Foster and Mark Dennis who; while auditioning Billy for the lead role in their new movie “Strings” decided the song would get the part as well. Look for “Strings” in film festivals this summer. Also in the cue and currently in post-production is “The Taiwan Oyster”. Filmed entirely on location in Taiwan, this movie stars Billy Harvey and is due out next year.

Katey Laurel - (Starring in Strings) Katey Laurel’s emergence as a singer/songwriter powerfully straddling the line between Triple A and Adult Contemporary formats will make you think twice the next time you see the kid in the band carrying that seemingly cumbersome French Horn. Laurel’s classical mastery of that instrument earned the Denver based performer a scholarship to the exclusive private Huntington University in Indiana, but her passion for expressing herself through songwriting ultimately led her home to Colorado From Here, a compelling new eight song EP produced by renowned artist/producer Neilson Hubbard (Glen Phillips from Toad The Wet Sprocket, Kate York). From Here’s first single “The Wheel” is featured on the respected A Taste of Triple A sampler, considered throughout the radio industry to be a strong indicator of the next “big thing” in the format. Her fan base has broadened as she’s shared stages with Katie Herzig, Matt Morris, Bill Mallonee, Braddigan (of D ispatch), The Bittersweets, Trevor Hall, Reed Waddle and Eilen Jewell. Laurel has also been a featured guest artist on Denver’s 9 News Peacock Café, Fox 31, Channel 2, KRFC Ft. Collins Live at Lunch and Boulder’s KGNU Kabaret and Castle Rock radio shows. Her songs have been aired on Alice 105.9, 97.3 KBCO, 99.5 The Mountain and other stations. Laurel is such a heartfelt songwriter that even her lightest pop tune—“The Wheel”—is a deeply metaphorical statement about the reality of relationships. Like the structure of a wheel, if one part breaks, it affects the operation of the whole mechanism. More specifically, the track calls to mind images of a minor wreck (think bicycle), and emergency response vehicles coming to the rescue. The title track “From Here”, featuring Katie Herzig’s vocals on the bridge, is a deeply introspective song. Her lyrics ask the universal question “Is this all there is?” and wonder why we fail to see life’s many blessings. (Music in Driving by Braille) The Breckenridge Festival of Film is a 501(c)(3) private, non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Funding for the festival comes from local public and private grants, sponsorships, fundraising events, individual contributions, in-kind assistance, and revenue from tickets and merchandise. More than 150 individual volunteers, three local theaters and other venues are involved in this annual event. Breckenridge is located 80 miles west of Denver International Airport via Interstate 70.