About Us
Braven focuses on independently produced cinema with universal appeal. Our aim is to be a home for high caliber talent by cultivating creative relationships with extraordinary artists, giving them the freedom and financial support they deserve. As the industry continues to change, Braven Films will unite foresight and dedication in striving to produce one-of-a-kind films.
The Braven Team
Frida studied in Madrid where she completed Masters degrees in both Literature and film, specializing in post-production and new media. During her studies, she started working in the industry, first as a PA and later as an assistant director, working her way up to Producer. Next she worked at Lolafilms for 5 years where she was responsible for all international productions, including The Dancer Upstairs, directed by John Malkovich. She also produced Susan Seidelman’s Gaudi Afternoon, starring Marcia Gay Harden.
This was quickly followed by her time serving as Executive Producer and Creative On-Set Producer for the films The Assassination of Richard Nixon, directed by Niels Mueller and starring Sean Penn and Cronicas, directed by Sebastián Cordero and starring John Leguizamo.
In December 2006, Frida completed production on a documentary directed by Alfonso Cuarón entitled The Possibility of Hope, which includes interviews with Naomi Klein, James Lovelock, Tzvetan Todorov, and Slavoj Zizek amongst others.
In 2002 she partnered with Alfonso Cuarón as Head of his company, Esperanto, where, in 2006 she produced Pan’s Labyrinth, directed by Guillermo del Toro (winner of three Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards). In 2007, The Hollywood Reporter named Frida one of the 50 most powerful Latinos in Hollywood; she was number 13 in the same magazine’s Hispanic Women Power 25 list.
In 2008 she produced Rudo y Cursi – directed by Carlos Cuarón and starring Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Frida followed her work on ‘Rudo y Cursi’ with production of Locked In, a film directed by Suri Krishnamma and starring Ben Barnes, Sarah Roemer and Eliza Dushku.
In 2010, Frida embarked on her most recent adventure, the launch of Braven Films. Through this endeavor, she hopes to offer talented filmmakers creative freedom. Bringing them the tools and support they need to mould their visions and elevate their exposure to large audiences.
Investing partner at Braven, Eric Laufer is also the President and founder of the Laufer Wind Group and Idalia Solar Technologies. These two companies develop innovative products in the renewable energy sector. Although Mr. Laufer has previously financed several micro-budget independent films, Braven represents his most significant foray into the movie business. He is active in the New York City theatre scene, having helped bring Hair and the play, Lombardi to Broadway, playing drums in the pit orchestra of various musicals and sitting on the boards of non-profit theatre companies. Mr. Laufer holds a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford.
Giovanna Randall, investing partner at Braven, is the president and designer for HONOR, a Designer Women’s Ready To Wear collection that debuted in 2010. Her work with HONOR reflects Ms. Randall’s love for the creative process and her respect for craftsmanship, elements that she now brings to the world of film. Prior to developing her first collection, Ms. Randall studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She also studied Pre-Med at Columbia University and holds a BFA in Opera performance from Purchase College.
Joining Braven as an investor and artistic adviser is Eugenia Silva’s newest venture. Supermodel, philanthropist, entrepreneur, worldwide brand ambassador for Giorgio Armani, Eugenia also has a law degree from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid. Through her career, she has worked with the most renowned photographers in the world, such as Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Arthur Elgost, Bruce Weber, and Gilles Bensimon, and with the most celebrated designers including Giorgio Armani, Prada, Versace, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Carolina Herrera, among others. In addition to being the image of Magnum and Garnier, Eugenia currently publishes a monthly column in ELLE where she offers tips on fashion, beauty and travel, and a daily photoblog on the magazine’s website, called MY LOOKBOOK. She splits her time between Madrid and New York where she helps various charities, among them, Niños en Alegría, helping to build schools in Mexico, and PLAN, fighting for the rights of women and girls around the world.
