Filmmakers + Crew

Jane Centofante, Director + Producer

Jane Centofante began her career as an editor at various publications, including California magazine, before transitioning to work as a freelance editor and researcher specializing in non-fiction. Her projects have included books on current events and biographies, notably those of Dian Fossey and Bob Hope. In addition to her editorial work, she manages Boardwalk Press, a small independent publishing house focused on travel/gift books. A transformative trip to Laos inspired her shift from curious traveler to independent documentary filmmaker. Saffron Robe is her debut documentary. She resides in Los Angeles.

Jayne Hufschmid, Producer

Jayne Hufschmid has an extensive background in agency and freelance public relations, with experience spanning Los Angeles, New York, and London. She has advised a diverse portfolio of clients across industries, including banking, advertising, legal, real estate, healthcare, and entertainment. Jayne has developed and executed comprehensive PR strategies and campaigns designed to elevate brand visibility and strengthen identity in key markets. Beyond her professional achievements, Jayne is passionate about travel. Her curiosity has led her on adventures around the globe. Inspired by the stories her friend Jane Centofante shared about Laos, Jayne was eager to join the journey that culminated in Saffron Robe, her first role as a documentary producer. She currently divides her time between New York and London.

Kraig Butrum, Producer

With more than 35 years of senior management experience, Kraig Butrum has guided national and international organizations through major capital campaign projects that include start-ups, fundraising, corporate giving, institutional branding, donor relations, and other executive management responsibilities. His career started in California, where he served as a national consultant for the fundraising consulting firm of Brakeley, John Price Jones (now Brakeley Briscoe). Later, he was recruited and moved to Washington, DC to serve as Vice President of Major Gifts for Conservation International, where he directed a five-year, $635 million fundraising campaign. Kraig worked with the Jeff Skoll Foundation to build the six-country Mekong Basin Disease Surveillance Foundation, which was his first experience in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Alexander J. Hufschmid, Director of Photography

Alexander Hufschmid is a Swiss-American documentary cinematographer. He is also a seasoned lighting technician who brings a distinctive visual approach to storytelling. He assisted on the Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw Sundance hit, The Last Race (2018), sparking a real love for verité documentary. His acclaimed work includes While I Breathe, I Hope (2018), a powerful documentary on Bakari Sellers, as well as The Exiles (2022), which earned the prestigious Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival. Most recently, he was the cinematographer on Citizen Weiner (2024), a documentary exploring the story of Upper East Sider Zach Weiner as he ran for city office, which premiered at Slamdance. In addition to his film projects, Alexander collaborates with leading commercial clients such as ON Running, OURA Ring, Saturdays NYC and Puma Running, showcasing his versatility and technical expertise in both narrative and branded content.

Joel Kingsbury, 2nd Camera

A British-born cinematographer now based in New York, Joel specializes in finding extraordinary beauty in everyday moments. With over a decade of experience, his work includes award-winning documentary series for HBO and Paramount, such as three seasons of the critically acclaimed Couples Therapy, where his visuals bring deep personal stories to life. Beyond documentaries, Joel has collaborated with Conde Nast brands like Vogue, GQ, Architectural Digest and Bon Appetit, creating videos that have garnered hundreds of millions of views across digital platforms. Known for his keen eye and intuitive grasp of light, Joel’s versatility shines in everything from capturing intimate emotions to framing stunning landscapes.

Nicolas Doldinger, 2nd Camera

Originally from Munich, Germany, Nicolas’ film career started in the UK and Canada where he won several awards for his narrative and documentary productions. Nicolas has established himself as a producer and director of outstanding branded content production for brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW, IBM, L’Oreal, etc. Providing full production services, his work as Director and DP has been featured on BBC, CNN, NBC, CBS 60 Minutes and many other international outlets and campaigns.  

Michel K. Tsagli, Sound

Michel K. Tsagli was born in Dakar, Senegal. He later moved to New York, where he studied sound production. His work has been featured on Lifetime, HBO, VH1, Speed Channel, Canal+, and many more. Many of Tsagli’s projects are critically acclaimed productions, including Night of the Kings (2020) by Philippe Lacote and Xale (2022) by Moussa Sene Absa .

Thavisouk Phrasavath, Editor

Thavisouk “Thavi” Phrasavath is a multifaceted filmmaker, editor, writer, director, and visual artist, driven by a profound respect for storytelling and community. Born in Laos, his experiences as a refugee have deeply influenced his worldview and creative vision. His critically acclaimed documentary The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)—a personal and collaborative account of his family's journey—earned an Academy Award nomination, a Primetime Emmy Award win, and a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination. Phrasavath holds the distinction of being the first Laotian-American writer inducted into the Writers Guild of America, West. He is also the founder of EditIQ, a blog dedicated to creators who value craft, collaboration, and advancing the art of storytelling.

Peter Golub, Composer

Peter Golub moves fluently between the worlds of film, theater and concert music. His scores have accompanied Sundance Festival hits like Frozen River and Songs My Brothers Taught Me, as well as The Laramie Project (for HBO) and The Great Debaters, co-composed with James Newton Howard. On Broadway, his music has supported productions by Donald Margulies, Christopher Durang, and Tennessee Williams. A longtime collaborator with Charles Ludlam and Moisés Kaufman, Peter emerged from New York’s downtown theater scene with a flair for dramatic expression. His concert works – performed by groups like Tashi and the Brooklyn Philharmonic – include Dark Carols, On Gossamer Wings, Ludus Ventorum, and four ballet scores, one commissioned by Edward Villella for the Miami City Ballet. As Director of the Sundance Film Music Program from 1999-2020, and a lecturer at UCLA and USC, Peter mentors the next generation of composers while continuing to write music that bridges narrative and abstraction. He has recently launched a new program, the BMI Composer Lab, with Broadcast Music, Inc.

Corey Brill, Narrator

Corey Brill is an award-winning voice actor and narrator, having contributed to nearly 100 audiobooks to date. On stage, Corey appeared on Broadway in Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt (Tony Award, Best Play 2023), Gore Vidal’s The Best Man, and Rajiv Joseph’s Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. He’s acted at regional theatres across the country, including The Kennedy Center, The Guthrie, South Coast Repertory, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Seattle Repertory Theatre,  and The Old Globe, among many others. His TV/Film appearances include The Walking Dead, Chicago P.D., You’re the Worst, Scorpion, Perception, CSI: Miami, and HBO’s The Normal Heart. He received a BFA from Otterbein College and an MFA from UC-San Diego. Corey is very honored to be a part of this truly special film.