Julissa Carmona was born on December 22nd in Yonkers, New York to immigrant Costa Rican parents.

After graduating Preston High School in the Bronx, Julissa began pursuing her life long dream of acting. Her great passion lead to the opportunity to work on the film DONNIE BRASCO, starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp. Through her involvement in this project, she became a member of the highly recognized Screen Actors Guild. Julissa built her acting resume by working on various films and television shows such as ONE FINE DAY, EXTREME MEASURES, LAW AND ORDER, NEW YORK UNDERCOVER, and THIRD WATCH.

Julissa longed for a taste of Hollywood and in 1999, she drove across the country from New York to California. In Los Angeles she began interning for Esparza-Katz Productions, whose films include SELENA and INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE (starring Academy Award winner Halle Berry). At Esparza-Katz, she assisted the Director of company’s foundation, The National Latino Arts Education and Media, taking on responsibilities such as screening scripts and overseeing coverages. Through her internship she learned valuable tools about screenwriting and started the development of her first full length script, PLACING THE WINGS.

Julissa returned to New York and continued to pursue her acting and writing skills. She studied and later graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. There she learn to strengthen her on-stage characters as well as, herself and who she would evolve to be.

Increasingly finding herself formulating storylines and characters in her mind, Julissa penned her 1st short film, I WAS THERE  in the fall of 2002. With her next short film, WHATEVER IT TAKES, she made her directorial debut.

Today, she produces and directs films under Carmona Pictures with a group of talented and energetic NYC filmmakers. Blending a distinctive combination of unique creativity and passion for film, her team has grown steadily since its inception in 2002. Carmona Pictures produces innovative and artistic works, covering the full gamut of filmmaking; from short films, commercials, music videos and most recently, into the feature film arena. Carmona Pictures is based on the devotion to the art of filmmaking and Julissa, along with her team, is dedicated to bringing audiences a unique and exciting experience through the extraordinary medium of film.

Carmona Pictures's latest project, The Forbidden Chair is currently in Post-Production. To find out more information about Julissa and Carmona Pictures, visit: www.carmonapictures.com.