Tonia Kempler, Founder
Tonia Kempler, a Producer/Director/Screenwriter based in Vermont and New York, is influenced by the Gullah Geechee and Cherokee traditions. She creates supernatural horror/thrillers and dark comedies with strong female leads.
Her background in the music industry includes managing Grammy-winning producers and overseeing hits like TLC's "No Scrubs" and Destiny’s Child's "Survivor."
As the founder of Bellem Entertainment, Tonia produces award-winning content across genres, including a docu-reality TV series and a thriller. She has won over 200 awards and supports fellowships at Stowe Story Labs and Cinestory. Active in various industry organizations, Tonia also reads scripts for major film festivals and is organizing a film festival in Rutland, Vermont.
Bulent Gurcan, Partner
Bulent Gurcan, a consultant for Renegade (Discovery Survival Unscripted Series) with a first-look deal with The Discovery Network, immigrated to the US in 1997. He served in the Army with two tours in Iraq, then worked as a Border Patrol Agent and Customs Officer for 11 years.
In 2018, he joined Naked & Afraid, featuring in 24 episodes. He wrote and shot his first award-winning short in 2020 and partnered with Tonia Kempler at Bellem Entertainment. Their diverse projects include action, horror, rom-coms, thrillers, and more across various media.
Bulent's scripts, influenced by his life experiences—from poverty and immigration to military service and law enforcement—focus on real-life events, often within the action/drama genre. His work has garnered several awards and circulates in the festival circuit.
