the founders
Joelle Westwood is a Cleveland and New York–based producer, writer, and actor. She has co-founded Western Star Entertainment and Reaching Glory Productions, and is CEO of new entertainment tech company, BVision. She works across film and theatre, bringing a dynamic, multidisciplinary approach to every project. A graduate of Fordham University (B.S. Psychology), Westwood also trained in film production and performance at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and the Stella Adler Studio. She is a produced playwright, commercial model, and Broadway cabaret performer.
Beyond her artistic career, Westwood serves on Governor Kathy Hochul’s campaign team and is a dedicated environmental activist, committed to bridging meaningful art with tangible politics.
Mia Lastrella is a producer, screenwriter, and director based in New York City. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Screen Studies (minor in Arts and Entertainment Management) from Pace University. Mia most recently directed the Just One Thing (Feat. Alysia Reiner) and award-winning singing group, Frequency A Cappella’s, debut music video Neu State of Mind. She also works as a film instructor in youth programming at schools across the five boroughs. As co-founder of Western Star Entertainment Group, she creates stories for sustainability, female empowerment, and socially relevant markets.