The Team – Nine Cats Production

The Inspiring Founder

Nick Sakai

Nick Sakai is an award-winning actor, producer, and director based in New York and Los Angeles, renowned for his versatile performances and dedication to socially resonant, boundary-pushing storytelling across television, independent film, theater, and new media.

His television credits include standout roles in High Maintenance (HBO), Orange Is the New Black (Netflix), The Affair (Showtime), Big Dogs (Amazon Prime/Tubi), and multiple Law & Order appearances.

Nick launched his career on stage with an off-Broadway production directed by Tina Landau and produced by En Garde Arts, followed by his first on-camera role in Guiding Light. With over 30 acting roles spanning prime-time, daytime, indie shorts, commercials, and voiceover, Nick has earned praise for his authentic range in both comedy and drama.

As a filmmaker, Nick brings an actor’s intuitive perspective to producing and directing narratives with cinematic depth and cultural relevance. He began producing with The Professor (directed by Anya Meksin), an Occupy Wall Street-inspired action-thriller starring Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad) and Rick Peters (Dexter), which won the CINE Golden Eagle Award and Best Action/Adventure at San Diego Comic-Con. Subsequent producing credits include Bluebirds (starring James Chen of The Walking Dead and FBI, premiered at Everybody Digital Film Festival), Going Home (exploring veteran PTSD), and the viral Comic-Con short 12 (a 24 parody).

Nick made his directorial debut with Ms. Kiss (where he also produced and starred), followed by co-directing, producing, and starring in The Pardon — a tense drama-thriller featuring John Borras (The Many Saints of Newark), Francesca Shipsey (Servant, Blue Bloods), and Autumn Mirassou (Law & Order: Organized Crime). Now in post-production and festival-bound (2026), The Pardon also serves as the foundation for an expanding television series.

Through Nine Cats Productions, which he founded and leads, Nick is developing a robust slate: three narrative features (Borderline, Luke and Emma, Sniper) and the gripping episodic drama The Pardon. His focus on innovative, timely stories positions the company to create enduring cultural and financial value — proving that diversified production companies offer far greater stability and long-term upside than single-project bets.

Nick is bicoastally represented by ATB Talent Agency (Los Angeles/New York).

Actor

Played in more than 30 roles

Producer

Producer 11 films!

Director

Directed 4 Major Films

Talented Business and Film Industry Veteran

Rosie Cruz

Rosie Cruz, Silicon Valley based comes with a strong business and marketing background, She is also an accomplished actor and producer whose multifaceted career bridges creative performance, strategic production, and a deep passion for impactful storytelling. A graduate of San Jose State University with a degree in Fine Arts, she honed her craft through advanced training at the prestigious Warner Loughlin Studios in Los Angeles, building a strong foundation in character-driven acting and on-set versatility.

With many acting credits spanning independent film, television, and digital content, Rosie brings authenticity and emotional depth to every role. Her producing work — including credits on five films — showcases her exceptional ability to connect passionate talent, secure resources, and deliver moving stories that resonate with global audiences.

“Storytelling is my passion. Creativity is the superpower behind it all. My specialty is connecting passionate people together to create and produce moving digital content reaching audiences worldwide.”

As a key force at Nine Cats Productions, Rosie plays an integral role in developing and producing the company’s ambitious slate: three narrative features (Borderline, Luke and Emma, Sniper) and the gripping periodical drama The Pardon. Her expertise in collaborative filmmaking and audience-focused narratives complements founder Nick Sakai’s vision, helping build a diversified production company engineered for long-term cultural impact and financial resilience — proving that investing in a thoughtfully managed slate of resonant stories offers far greater stability and compounding upside than high-risk, single-project bets.

Rosie embodies the innovative spirit of independent cinema: turning bold ideas into enduring assets that challenge conventions, spark dialogue, and transcend lifetimes. Her work at Nine Cats reinforces why production companies remain one of the most underrated investment vehicles in entertainment — when played correctly, with discipline and vision, they create sustainable value that grows across projects and generations.

Actor

Played in many diverse roles

Producer

Was producer for 5 films

Casting Director

Casted for 1 Films

Experienced Serial Entrepreneur

Axel Tillmann

Axel Tillmann is a seasoned serial entrepreneur, technologist, and go-to-market strategist with nearly three decades of leadership experience guiding startups and established companies to successful exits across Europe and the United States. He also was a Managing Director for a CVC Fund with $150M AUM. Known as The Dot Connector™, he has worked with hundreds of organizations, advising on scaling, international expansion, and strategic market entry — expertise he now brings to the entertainment industry to help innovative projects reach global audiences effectively.

Axel’s early career in entertainment began during his university years, where he managed the renowned German heavy metal band ACCEPT — one of the genre’s most influential acts — gaining hands-on experience in artist development, touring logistics, promotion, and navigating the music business’s high-stakes dynamics. This foundation in creative industries has informed his broader entrepreneurial journey, including founding and leading companies in tech, EDA tools (e.g., NOVILIT, Inc.), and venture ecosystems.

Today, as CEO of Alpha Consult, Founding EIR and Vice Chairman at Pitch Global CVC Accelerator, and a board member/advisor for organizations like WORLD SUMMIT and Tech Futures Group, Axel specializes in connecting passionate teams, resources, and markets. He inspires the entertainment sector with proven go-to-market strategies — from audience targeting and distribution planning to building sustainable revenue models — helping turn bold creative visions into viable, scalable businesses.

At Nine Cats Productions, Axel serves as a key strategic advisor and team member, leveraging his deep experience in entrepreneurship, entertainment roots, and market expertise to support the company’s $20M raise and diversified slate: three narrative features (Borderline, Luke and Emma, Sniper) and the gripping periodical drama The Pardon. His involvement underscores Nine Cats’ commitment to disciplined growth — treating film production as a long-term asset-building enterprise rather than isolated high-risk bets.

Just as investing in a diversified oil company like ExxonMobil compounds returns through multiple wells, infrastructure, and risk mitigation over decades, backing Nine Cats Productions offers exposure to a growing portfolio of culturally resonant stories that build intellectual property, brand equity, creative networks, and catalog value year after year. Axel’s track record in connecting dots across industries positions Nine Cats to execute this model with precision, proving that film production companies — when managed with strategic vision and entrepreneurial rigor — remain one of the most underrated investment vehicles in entertainment, capable of delivering meaningful, sustained upside.