Biography

Inspired by Edward D. Wood Jr. and the B-Movie buzz on the Internet San Ramon, California resident Derek Zemrak decided to enter the low budget moviemaking arena. He wrote, directed and produced his first feature entitled "Ice Scream" which interestedly enough starred "The King of Bad Movies" and Ed Wood alumni Conrad Brooks. The movie was completed in 1997. "Ice Scream" got both national and international attention. On November 26, 1998 "Ice Scream" was reported in the LA Times as one of the Best of the Worst movies ever made. "Ice Scream" was nominated for Best Villain at the B Movie Awards in New York. Zemrak's second feature film was "Taxider-ME!" another dark horror comedy was so nominated for a Two B Movie Award in 2000 for Best Villain and Best Musical Score. Zemrak's third feature was a 1950's Sci-Fi comedy spoof entitled "Bikini Planet". "Bikini Planet" is available at Tower Records stores throughout the west coast. Currently "Bikini Planet" in being adapted into an animated Television series.

Zemrak is currently producing a feature length children's animated film entitled "Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm", which is planned to be released in late 2005. Other recent film projects include Associate Producer in the soon to be released independent film, "Planting Melvin".

Zemrak's producing experience is not limited to feature films, in 2001 Zemrak produced the nationally acclaimed stage play "Time Flies When You Are Alive", starring veteran actor Paul Linke. "Time Flies When You Are Alive" was nominated for a Cable Ace Award.

Zemrak is the Founder and President of the California Independent Film Festival Association. CIFF was founded in 1999, and is the fastest growing film festival in California, screening over 500 independent films from cross the United States and from around the world. CIFF's gala tribute night has honored such Hollywood Legends as Ms. Cloris Leachman, Mr. Martin Landau and Mr. Tony Curtis. The closing gala is produced by Yankee Films, Inc. and throughout the years the following celebrities have participated in the program; Dick Clark, Mary Tyler Moore, Rich Little, Shirley Jones, Marty Ingels, Pete Bogdnovich, James Whitmore, Dick Van Patten and Peter Graves, just to name a few.

Zemrak is the President of Yankee Films Inc. a domestic and international film distribution company. Yankee Films has several award winning films in their library such as "Flowers On A Muumuu", and "Chimera House".
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous