Christian Stavrakis

Christian Stavrakis, originally from Pittsburgh, grew up in the suburbs of Washington D.C., where he developed a passion for filmmaking early on, thanks in part to his brother Taso's collaborations with renowned director George Romero. In 1990, he returned to his hometown and immersed himself in the local film scene, contributing to various projects while maintaining a strong friendship with Mark Ricche, a fellow filmmaker who stayed in Maryland.

The turning point in Stavrakis's career came with the overwhelming success of "The Blair Witch Project," which was co-directed by their high school classmate Eduardo Sanchez. Inspired by this achievement, Stavrakis and Ricche resolved to create their own feature film, leading to the inception of their production company, Cryptic Pictures. After an arduous 13-year journey, they completed their debut feature, "Mortal Remains," which was released to audiences in 2017.

In addition to his filmmaking endeavors, Stavrakis is a talented sculptor, painter, and writer, showcasing his artistic versatility. He remains dedicated to refining his craft, continuously seeking new avenues for creative expression. His journey reflects a commitment to the arts and an unwavering pursuit of his passions in both filmmaking and visual arts.