Born in rural Michigan, Michael began working within the smaller art communities of southwest Michigan. Michael infuses experimental film motifs with narrative structure while remaining heavily influenced by visual design. As a director, he recently finished a piece entitled, “Human | Nature,” an experimental dance film that explores society's relationship with endangered species. The film was produced in collaboration with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art with additional funding by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Michael will graduate in May 2020 with a BFA in Film from Ringling College of Art and Design.
Born in India, moved to America at a young age and went to school in Florida. Furkan began creating short narrative and commercial films in middle school as he learned and experimented with the medium for his self-run morning show. As his passion for filmmaking grew, so did his appetite to learn. Furkan began freelancing, working on feature films and commercials. Giving him the experience needed to pursue his goal of producing. Furkan’s favorite aspect of filmmaking is the collaborative aspect with other filmmakers and artists alike. Furkan will graduate in May 2020 with a BFA in Film from Ringling College of Art and Design.
Born in Kazan, Russia, Nela started as a photographer, shooting for local magazines and festivals. She then studied at the United World College in Germany, where she transitioned into film and pursued cinematography in the Film program at Ringling College of Art and Design. Photography stays her primary hobby and she continues studying and exploring both to bring new ideas, techniques, and concepts into her films. Her recent photobook “Pilgrims” explores the aspect of presence and the portrayal of multicultural women in contemporary society. Nela will graduate in May 2020 with a BFA in Film from Ringling College of Art and Design.
Santiago Medina Beltran is a filmmaker first inspired by photojournalism, who knew from a young age he wanted to be involved with visual arts. As he approached graduation he discovered his love for films and all the emotion you can express through the medium. Santiago is an aspiring director and cinematographer whose films deal with vulnerability, longing and the emotion that is expressed in the spaces between words. Santiago will graduate in May 2020 with a BFA in Film from Ringling College of Art and Design.
Born in South Korea, Mike's interest in film began to grow in high school after studying in China where he had a chance to edit videos for the institution. This interest grew to passion and from passion to career. DaVinci Resolve was a program he explored in high school, which broadened his interest in filmmaking. Now certified, he is able to take his particular interests in cinematography, color timing, and editing to the next level and utilize current technology to come up with creative solutions to problems that arise in post-production. Mike will graduate in May 2020 with a BFA in Film from Ringling College of Art and Design.