Phoenix Media Productions, LLC

Phoenix Media Productions LLC  began in 2010 with the goal of creating media that would inform, illuminate and inspire audiences. We focus on both short and long form documentary videos that address the human condition. We are interested in exploring issues of culture, race and class with a strong sense of story and character.

Producer/Director – Marilyn Pennell

Marilyn Pennell is a filmmaker, multimedia producer and journalist who has a background in public television (PBS); commercial television (Gannett Broadcasting) and online/web publishing. She holds a B.A. degree in Sociology from Emmanuel College, a Master of Science degree from the School of Communication at Boston University and an M.F.A. degree in Film from Maine Media College.

She teaches courses at college and university in multimedia, media, and journalism at the undergraduate level, including introductory and advanced multimedia, news reporting, media writing, and global media.

Marilyn has won many international, national and regional awards for her work, including EMMYS, a Gabriel Award, a Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award, an American Women in Radio and Television Award and Associated Press Broadcast Awards, among others. Ms. Pennell also received a Fulbright Hays Faculty Fellowship to study in China and Faculty Fellowships from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science (NATAS) and the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE).

Associate Producer/Director- Eva Cirnu

Eva shares her time between her passion for art and activism. She has worked in Canada, India, Haiti, Nepal and Madagascar, in the fields of video, communications and project management.

For several years, Eva was the director of one of Montreal’s oldest art galleries, specialized in Tibetan art. She collaborates regularly with Tibetan cultural associations and artists, and is currently the Canada Tibet Committee’s francophone section coordinator. Eva spends her time between Dharamshala, India and Montreal, Canada.

Humanities Advisors

Dr. Amy Mountcastle, Cultural Anthropologist

Dr. Amy Mountcastle (3rd from left) – State University of New York

Dr. Mountcastle is a cultural anthropologist with great knowledge about Tibet. She serves as an advisor through our Mass Humanities grant.

Dr. Keila Diehl, cultural anthropologist/ethnomusicologist, UC Berkeley 

Dr. Diehl is the author of “Echoes from Dharamsala,” a monograph about the role of Tibetan, Chinese, Indian, and Western music in the lives of Tibetan refugees. She is also an advisor for our Mass Humanities grant and is a musician in her own right.

Band Members of Techung and the Windhorses

Michel Tyabji

Michel Tyabji is a composer, performer, producer, arranger and recording engineer. Born in India and educated in England and the U.S., he has worked with a growing number of musicians from America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, whose work is gaining the appreciation of discerning listeners around the world. He is the co-creator of Hollywood-based Limitless Sky Records, through which he continues to release albums of critical acclaim (including three GRAMMY nominations).

Ringzing Wangyal

Tibetan guitarist Ringzing Wangyal at Techung concert in Roxy Prague, 14 Oct 2014.

Rinzing Wangyal was born in Darjeeling, India and attended Melody Academy studying guitar. He performed with various rock and reggae bands in New York City in the late 80’s and his diverse musical interests include Eastern and Western Classical music, blues, funk, electronic and jazz. Rinzing has performed with accomplished musicians including Phiroj Shyangden of 1974D, Raju Lama of Mongolian Heart, Tsering Paljor/Tenzing of Rangzen Shonu (a prominent Tibetan band) and Shenpenn Khymsar/Tsering Purtag). He currently tours with Techung & The Wind Horses and assists in the development of young talent in New York.