People of Coalition
Ayad Akhtar
Partner
Ayad Akhtar was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Brown University with a degree in Theater. Upon graduation, Ayad moved to Tuscany, Italy, where he spent a year working with world-renowned acting theorist and pioneer, Jerzy Grotowski (Towards a Poor Theater). A resident of New York City since 1997, Ayad has been active in the New York theater community, teaching acting on his own and alongside Andre Gregory (My Dinner With Andre, Vanya on 42nd St). He is also an alumnus of the Graduate Film Program at Columbia University, where he graduated with a degree in directing. Akhtar’s work at Columbia earned him the New York Documentary Center’s Young Documentary Filmmakers' Award, an IFP Audience Choice Award and Programming Committee’s Award for Best Film at the 2003 Columbia University Film Festival. He is the author of numerous screenplays, including CHILD SOLDIER, based on world-renown activist China Keitetsi's true story. In 2005, he - along with his co-writers - was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay for The War Within.
Ayad was star and co-writer for The War Within.
Joseph Castelo
Partner
A graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate Film Program, Joe wrote and directed American Saint starring Kevin Corrigan and Vincent Schiavelli. American Saint screened at the San Francisco and Florida International film festivals, before sweeping every award at the 2001 Hamptons Film Festival. American Saint was also the recipient of the Perrier Bubbling Under Award. Joseph’s second feature, The War Within, premiered at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival, was nominated for 2 Independent Spirit Awards (Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor), an International Press Academy Satellite Award (Best Picture - Drama), and was distributed by Magnolia Pictures (2005).
Joseph directed and co-wrote The War Within.
Michael G. Pollard
Partner
Michael G. Pollard was one of the producers of The War Within, is producer on several Coalition projects, and manages Coalition's business affairs.
Michael was born in New York City, attended the Dalton School, and received his B.A. from Amherst College with a double major in Computer Science and Law. Michael broke into TV during college. His internship at ABC television network, which lasted for several summers, led to hiring by the network to work for its Broadcast Operations Division. Michael became one of the youngest members of its management team, eventually running ABC Post Production operations in New York.
After 5 years at ABC, Michael was recruited by top-tier investment firm Credit Suisse to become part of its Global Media Group, and was soon promoted to Vice-President and Regional Head. After 3 years at Credit Suisse and recognizing the tremendous opportunities in the film industry, Michael left to start Coalition Films with his partners.