Director

Born and raised in Lancaster, OH, where a passion for comedy and sarcasm naturally took root. She quickly learned to marry humor with the realities of trauma and relationship turbulence, using it as both a shield and a bridge. Known by loved ones as someone who always says what needs to be said-without hesitation or awkwardness. She brings that same fearless authenticity to her work.

Making her directorial debut, Karmen is thrilled to bring her personal perspective to the brilliant script from Birdy Fox Films, which boldly lifts the lid on the complexities of female familial relationships. With over 15 years of industry experience producing for top directors and creatives, she now steps behind the camera to craft stories that resonate with heart, humor, and unfiltered honesty.

Writer // “Opal”

From Orlando, FL, Katie Ryan is a multidisciplinary artist in the visual, performing and creative fields. On the LA stages, Katie has appeared in the theatrical productions of TAPE by Stephen Belber and ANGEL ASYLUM by Scott Haze. One of her first feature films, a crime drama called 1BUCK, screened in over 100 festivals worldwide, earning her a nomination for Best Actress in the Madrid Film Festival in addition to other awards and nominations for her work. She also has a supporting role in the Academy Award Winning Short, SKIN, by Guy Nattiv opposite Jonathan Tucker and Danielle MacDonald and has a guest starring role on Antoine Fuqua’s, ICE.

Katie is the co-founder, alongside Dana Fares, of Birdy Fox Films, a production company that is committed to unraveling the female identity. Their last film, BATHWATER, directed by Lizzy Sanford, premiered at the academy-qualifying fest, Hollyshorts and later screened at the Portland Film Fest.

Serving as both an actor and producer, Katie's next project is called A Scene From A Street In LA a neo-noir series directed by Phillip Montgomery, set to hit the festival circuit in 2024.

Writer // “Ruby”

With a passion for imaginative storytelling and social change, Dana Fares’s work as an actress, writer, and producer centers around the biting realities of womanhood. At Birdy Fox Films ( co-owned with Katie Ryan) Dana produces and writes imaginative short and long-form content. Her script Half/Life (co-written with writing partner Katie Ryan) was a top ten finalist for the Big Swing Production/Series Fest Women’s Writing competition and the IFP Project Forum. Dana also produced Dales House, starring Julie Lake, which premiered at SXSW in 2021. An experienced actress, Dana’s latest project, Implied Consent, won “Best Dramatic Short and Award of Mention” at the IndieX Film Festival (July 2023). This project is also an Official Selection for the 2023 Newport Beach Film Fest( October 2023). Another notable performance of Dana’s includes the film Bathwater(2021), directed by the acclaimed Lizzy Sanford.

Dana’s exceptional talents gained her a year-long mentorship as a Multi-hyphenate talent by Women In Film, and her high-energy work ethic and grounded optimism set her apart!

Director of Photography

Born in Canton, Ohio, Jason took an interest in photography at an early age thanks to his dad handing him the family SLR loaded with film. He later landed in Columbus and has been working as a cinematographer of various commercials, music videos, and films. Having two daughters, he feels a definite understanding and connection to the lovingly divisive relationship between sisters Opal and Ruby. 

He considers October in Ohio a magical time and feels fortunate to have lensed Yard Sale in such a window. That midwest season of contrasts and transitions, warm sunbeams and cool breezes, permeated the images of the film. 

Editor

Austin Rauterkus was raised in the town of Defiance, a quiet, rural Iowa town of 300. An upbringing often only captured in movies about boyhood, he lived the true story. Running around quarries and riding dirt bikes with his best friends, always with a camera in hand, ready to take the footage to the cutting room floor. Using two VCRs he invented what he liked to call "the rolling edit" to troubleshoot the lag in analog tech. 

A lover of group improv and live music, Austin now resides in Brooklyn, New York, making films with his kids on ipads, and turned the rolling edit into an award winning career editing music videos, commercials, and films.  He's still reminding people that he's from Iowa, not Ohio, but he let it slide this time so he could edit Yard Sale.

Executive Producer

Thomas Dann is the Executive Producer of Yard Sale. After a successful career in finance, Thomas transitioned into film production, drawn to the collaborative nature of the medium and its ability to tell meaningful, human stories.

Raised in Northeast Ohio alongside his two sisters and a close-knit group of cousins, Thomas grew up immersed in the complexity and richness of family life. These early experiences shaped his deep appreciation for stories that reflect the intricate dynamics of family bonds.

As a father, Thomas was especially moved by Yard Sale's heartfelt portrayal of family relationships. The film is also the directorial debut of his wife, marking an exciting new chapter in their shared creative journey. Thomas is proud to be part of a project that highlights the power of family and the emotional depth that comes with it.