Bio
Deri Tyton is an Award-Winning Writer/Producer/Director, who grew up in Chicago enjoying
Kung Fu, comedy, and action movies. As a very imaginative child growing up, he became interested in how films were made, but it wasn't until 1999 when he was invited to P.A. on an independent film set, which prompted him to write the screenplay, TOOT'S & BLOW'S, in 2001. As a self-taught filmmaker, Deri produced three critically sought-out films: Welcome To The Southside, The Party Line, and Love Bones. In each of these films, Deri deals with personal themes of Love & Sacrifice. While each film has had distribution, it was his latest independent film, FINDING FOREVER IN LOVE (2015), that has pushed his writing, directing, and producing endeavors to new heights with a distribution deal at Robert Johnson's streaming channel, Urban Movie Channel. He has since gone on to co-write web series, independent films, and television series, as well as produce a screenwriter's book entitled, The Film Mechanic: The Process to Writing A Screenplay That Works. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Chicago State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Class Salutatorian) from Full Sail University. As a 2017 and 2018 Fulton County Arts & Culture grant recipient in Atlanta, GA, he began The Film Mechanic Screenwriting Class which teaches writers the process and business of screenwriting. Deri's truest goal is to tell universal stories through his experiences of being Black in America.
Bio
Dr. India Dorsey Gaston, Ph.D., artistically known as Indi Tyton, is an international
singer-songwriter, filmmaker, educator, and entrepreneur whose career bridges the creative and
business sides of the entertainment industry. With more than 25 years of experience spanning
music, film, leadership development, and arts education, she has built a career dedicated to
empowering creatives while actively contributing to the industry as both an artist and executive.
A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Dr. Dorsey-Gaston comes from a multigenerational
family of performers and educators. Inspired by a rich musical heritage rooted in jazz, R&B,
soul, classical music, and opera, she began her artistic journey as a songwriter and later
expanded into filmmaking, producing projects that have been recognized by film festivals and
audiences across the country.
In addition to her creative work, Dr. Dorsey-Gaston is a Business Psychologist whose research
focuses on leadership within the entertainment industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology from Hampton University, a Master of Arts in Psychology from Fisk University, a
Master of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Middle Tennessee State
University, a Master of Science in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University, and a Ph.D.
in Organizational Leadership with research centered on leadership self-efficacy in the
entertainment industry. She is the Founder and CEO of Entertainment Leadership Academy, LLC, an organization dedicated to leadership development and wellness for creatives and athletes, and serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Famous on Purpose, LLC, a media and entertainment company
focused on storytelling, education, and creative development.
Dr. Dorsey-Gaston is a longtime member of The Recording Academy, where she has served as
a District Advocate and mentor, and is affiliated with numerous professional organizations
supporting the advancement of artists, filmmakers, educators, and entrepreneurs. Her work
reflects a commitment to developing both the creative and leadership capacities of
entertainment professionals while fostering meaningful opportunities for artistic expression,
education, and community impact. As Vice-Chairperson of the Bloody Peach Film Festival, Dr. Dorsey-Gaston brings a unique perspective that combines artistic achievement, academic research, leadership development, and industry experience. She is passionate about supporting independent filmmakers, amplifying diverse voices, and helping creatives build sustainable careers while using
storytelling to inspire positive change.
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