The Director
Colin D’Amelio is a filmmaker, writer, and editor who believes every great story begins with the human heart. A longtime editor for Paramount, he has spent more than a decade crafting stories across film, television, and digital media before bringing that experience behind the camera as a writer and director.
His award-winning documentary The Last Houseboat preserved the story of a family's fifty-year legacy on the Rhode Island coast, earning Best Short Documentary honors and screening at film festivals across the country. In 2025, Colin directed Routed through the CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge, where the film won first place and secured a $100,000 grant for Los Angeles nonprofit CicLAvia.
His latest film, The Humble Servant, is his most personal work to date. Inspired by faith, family, and the quiet heroism of everyday people, the film explores grief, hope, and the enduring power of God's grace through the story of a widowed deacon struggling to rediscover his purpose. While rooted in religious tradition, the film embraces universal themes of love, loss, and redemption.
Across documentaries, narrative films, and branded storytelling, Colin is drawn to stories that reveal the extraordinary within ordinary people. Whether exploring faith, family, or community, his work is guided by the belief that the most lasting stories begin with authentic human connection.
Director & Writer
Director's Statement
Have you ever seen someone struggling and felt the urge to help?
Before you can even stand up, someone else is already there.
That simple moment became the first spark behind, The Humble Servant.
While attending Mass at St. Anthony's Church in Long Beach, I often watched an elderly priest whose arthritis made even the smallest movements difficult. Before anyone else could react, a deacon was there, quietly stepping in without asking to be noticed. I don't remember ever hearing him preach a homily, yet in many ways, he was delivering one every single day.
My own father serves as a deacon in New England, and his quiet example of faith and service inspired this story just as much. The Humble Servant became my way of exploring grief, doubt, and the often-unseen people whose actions speak louder than words.
Because I was already an active member of the parish where we filmed, authenticity became the foundation of this project. As one character says in the film, "The people make up this church. Without the people, it would just be another building." Looking back, I realize the same was true of our production. Without our clergy, parishioners, and community, there would be no film.
Although rooted in faith, I never set out to make a film exclusively for religious audiences. Grief, doubt, hope, and the quiet choice to keep showing up are experiences that belong to all of us. Making this film reinforced something I have long believed: the people who change our lives are rarely the ones seeking recognition. They are the ones quietly carrying burdens and serving others without expecting anything in return. The Humble Servant is my attempt to honor those people.
Core Creative Team
Colleen Reilly
Prodcuer
With over a decade in film, television, and studio production, Colleen Reilly has built her career on bringing creative visions to life. From her start as a production assistant to managing shoots for brands like Paramount and MTV, she’s mastered the balance between storytelling and execution — delivering each project on time, on budget, and with heart.
Fiona Egan
Executive Producer
Fiona’s love for film and theater has been a lifelong passion. She has produced multiple CD Productions projects as well as professional live theater shows and remains actively involved in regional film festivals. Fiona is also a devoted parishioner at St. John Paul II Parish in East Hampton, Connecticut.
John Vogt
Director of Cinematography
Based in Orange County, CA,
John Vogt is a cinematographer with a style rooted in the authenticity of documentary filmmaking. A member of IATSE Local 600, he has worked extensively as a 2nd Assistant Camera while building a growing body of work as a DP on features and shorts.
Natalie
Casting Director
Natalie Ballesteros is a founding partner of Adams, Ballesteros, Luna Casting (ABL), whose credits include projects for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Branded Television, Max, and Warner Bros. Discovery. A former Director of Talent and Casting for CBS Network TV, she worked across series including NCIS, Blue Bloods, and The Equalizer.
Justine Foung
Production Designer
Justine Foung is an LA-based Production Designer and Creative Director and foudner of Jussie Creations creative production agency. With a background in drama and scenic design and works across narrative, music videos, commercials, and experimental projects. Her credits include Sonos, Doja Cat, Keke Palmer, and Meghan Trainor.
Leopold Medley
Editor
Leopold is a New York-based editor and filmmaker whose creative journey began at age 14, when they made their first feature film. Leo has worked as an assistant editor for MTV for several year creating promos for many of the worlds most iconic entertainment and consumer brands. Leopold is an active video artist and producer of electronic music.
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Dave Huston
Mixing and Score
An award-winning audio engineer
with over 20 years of experience, Dave’s worked with artists like Coldplay, Destiny’s Child, and Dream Theater. For the past 18 years, he’s been a senior audio engineer at Paramount, mixing content for major artists, brands, and shows including Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Pepsi, and the MTV VMAs.
The Principal Cast
Deacon Jorge Ramirez
Joseph has built a versatile career in film and television, with credits including Matlock, The Cleaning Lady, The Neighborhood, Outer Banks, The Bridge (FX), Red Notice, Madres, and Bless Me, Ultima. Known for his commanding presence and emotional depth, Joseph brings authenticity and passion to every role. Beyond his career, Joseph is also a proud father, which remains one of his greatest roles in life.
Father Brown
Robert Keith is a contemporary actor with a distinguished career spanning film, television, and stage. A proud native Texan, he brings authenticity and depth to his performances, along with a natural ease on horseback that complements his range in Western and action-oriented roles. His work has carried him across the United States and internationally, reflecting both his adaptability and commitment to his craft.
Rosa Ramirez
Natasha Elías is an Actress, Writer, and Filmmaker living in LA. Born and raised in Miami, FL, with roots in Peru and Argentina. A graduate of New World School of the Arts (BFA in Theater), Natasha toured her original one-woman show Love Frantic at various theaters, including New York's United Solo Theater Festival. She co-created the bilingual comedy series Natushka & Elena with AwesomenessTV. She received nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Dark Comedy for her original film, The Get Over It Guru.
Streetman
Leslie A. Jones, aka Mister Jones, is a Philadelphia-born actor, musician, and composer who began his entertainment career after serving in the U.S. Army and relocating to Los Angeles. He studied theater and film at the Wilshire Theater Arts Academy and made his professional stage debut in Judi Ann Mason’s award-winning Indigo Blues. His work earned him a LA Weekly Award and Drama-Logue Award for Best Original Music, followed by an NAACP Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Washington Square Moves.
Mindy
Catherine Palacios is a Los Angeles actor but is originally from Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Her most notable work has been in the award-winning CBS short, Routed, that won 1st place prize of 100K towards the LA nonprofit, CicLAvia. With a degree in Theatre and Dance and a minor in Japanese, her background in acting started with theater, traditional and devised work alike but has since expanded to film.
Archer D'Amelio
Jesús Ramirez
Archer and Alden D’Amelio are young actors with a growing body of work across film, commercial, and digital projects. Archer’s credits include the short film The Provider, the vertical series My Vampire System, and campaigns for City Furniture, ABCmouse, Hilton Honors, and Disney’s Inside Out merchandise. Alden’s commercial credits include Hess, ABCmouse, Wells Fargo, Hilton Honors, and Disney’s Inside Out merchandise.
Alden D'Amelio
Anthony Ramirez
Fred
Originally from Houston, Texas, Brandon began acting at San Jacinto College, where he performed in theater productions for several years before moving to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue a career in film and commercial acting. A SAG-AFTRA member since 2020, Brandon is also an active parishioner and lector at St. Anthony’s Church, one of the primary filming locations for The Humble Servant.
To see our full cast and crew for this film, download our Press Kit