T. Rafael Cimino

T. Rafael Cimino (born Todd Rafael Cimino, June 4th, 1963 Wayne, NJ, USA) is an American novelist and screenwriter. He grew up in Key Largo, Florida in the Florida Keys, attending the Island Christian School in Islamorada, Florida where he graduated from in 1981. He then attended the University of Florida and the Florida Atlantic University where he graduated with a Master’s degree in Naval Architecture. While in South Florida, Cimino was heavily involved in water sports, including offshore powerboat racing. In 1982, Cimino became the youngest competitor to win the coveted APBA (American Powerboat Association) Offshore U. S. National Championship. He later won numerous National and World Championships.

Cimino is the son of Peter Cimino and the nephew of American film writer/ director Michael Cimino. He has one daughter, Stephanie Cimino, born in 1987. In April 2010 he married long time girlfriend, Bulgarian prima ballerina, Svetlina Kiryakova.

Film Career

With his experience in ocean powerboat racing, Cimino was hired as the Marine Director for the 1983 feature motion picture “Spring Break” which was filmed on location in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He went on to join television producer/ director John Nicolella and the production team as a marine director for the 1984 television series “Miami Vice” where he was given the opportunity to write as an adjunct contributor.

Cimino’s career in film continued with his contributions to the feature projects, “Lost in Translation”, “A love Song for Bobby Long,” and “The Other Boleyn Girl” where he developed a script style and character arcs for “A list” actress Scarlett Johansson.

In 2006 Cimino was given the opportunity to contribute to the television series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” which was created by Arron Sorkin. Cimino continued until the series was cancelled by NBC in May of 2007.

In 2009 Cimino signed a five year agreement with Akula Films to produce his novel Table 21 as a feature motion picture. Cimino is also affiliated with Miramax Films, Nu Image/ Millennium Films and the Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Filmography

Spring Break (1983)

Marine Director

Lost in Translation (2002)

Contributing Writer/ Producer

A Love Song for Bobby Long (2005)

Contributing Writer/ Producer

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

Contributing Writer/ Associate Producer

Table 21 (Pre production 2010)

Writer/ Producer

Mid Ocean (Pre production 2010)

Writer/ Producer

Television

Miami Vice (1984 – 1989)

Writer/ Marine Director

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006-2007)

Contributing Writer

Publishing

In 2009 Cimino published Mid Ocean, his first novel, to critical acclaim. The New York Times described Mid Ocean as “Miami Vice meets Goodfellas” referencing Cimino’s earlier work and the iconic Martin Scorsese mob ensemble thriller. Cimino also penned the novels Table 21 and River Town. In 2011 he is scheduled to release Delta Echo Alpha as a sequel to Mid Ocean.

Political Activism

In 2004 Cimino joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) where he serves as an executive member. In 2008 he joined the Democratic campaign to elect Barack Obama President of the United States. It was here that he served as a member of the campaign’s subcommittee for healthcare policy development.