Angel Gates & Laura Kandel

Angel Gates Fonseca was born and raised in the South Bronx before relocating to the Hudson Valley in 2016. He initially pursued a career in the music industry, but his passion for film ultimately led to his role as Co-Founder and Executive Director of Production & Development of HUDSY. Growing up in New York City, Angel was immersed in the diverse cultural tapestry of the boroughs equipping him with the ability to collaborate seamlessly with individuals from many backgrounds. As an award-winning filmmaker, Angel possesses a deep expertise in a comprehensive range of services, including cinematography, producing, editing, and directing.

Laura Kandel is a Co-Founder, Executive Director of Operations and Distribution, and a member of the Board or Directors at HUDSY. She is a Hudson Valley native and has been working in the arts community and advocating for artists in the Hudson Valley and beyond for over 20 years as a co-Director and Operations Manager for 17 years at Artrider – a large-scale contemporary craft event production company; as a guest relations coordinator for 12 years at the Woodstock Film Festival; and as an Arts Mid-Hudson Ulster Arts Awards committee member for 7 years. She enjoys connecting with, celebrating, and lifting up the inspiring artistic community she was born into.