MJ Kiego is a multi-generational Deaf filmmaker and creative artist that loves to create and experiment with 8, 16, and 35mm film. She also currently works with the award-winning Motion Light Lab housed at Gallaudet University as a production specialist, and as the media director for Copper & Water, where she collaborates on video projects for the Deaf community.

Areas of Focus: 8mm, 16mm, 35mm film.

Matthew DeLeon is a Cinematographer and Editor from New Braunfels, Texas. He started making video skits when he was 10 years old, and has been uniquely committed to the creation of fantastic media ever since. He acquired two bachelor’s degrees from Texas Lutheran University: one in Dramatic Media with an emphasis in Film Studies, and the other in Communications. Since then, Matthew has led many student productions and has worked on commercial projects in and around San Antonio and Austin. He has achieved great success in the 48 Hour Film Project in Austin, as a part of the team Dos Pollos Productions which has taken home many awards including Best Cinematography, Best editing, and Best Film.

Now pursuing an MFA in Film & Media Production at the University of Texas, Matthew hopes to further his education and technical skills in creating documentary and fictional projects. Matthew enjoys telling authentic stories that reflect the true lived experiences of his documentary subjects, and in his fictional work he loves to experiment with cool new techniques to visually convey deeper emotional truths about his fictional characters. Technique is nothing if it can’t help achieve a great story.

Areas of Interest: Cinematography, Editing, Documentary, Fictional Narrative, Comedy.

Jahaira Daga Acevedo is a Peruvian filmmaker based in Austin, Texas, whose work often centers themes of sexuality, coming of age, and Latinx culture. She received her B.A. in Audiovisual Communication from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and is a graduate candidate for the M.F.A. in Film & Media Production at the University of Texas at Austin.

She has worked in post production sound, editing and directed both fiction and documentary short films. The projects she made include autobiographical documentaries that explore personal, poetic, and familiar stories, and fiction short films about sexuality and immigration.

Her non-fiction short film Camino a casa (2024) was part of the Cine Festival San Antonio 2024 as one of the Mesquite Award Documentary nominees. Latente (2018) was part of the Muestra Itinerante at Festival de Cine de Lima 2019, Festival de Cine Universitario Render 2019, Festival de Cine Peruano en Madrid 2024, and Sala Violeta 2022. Her fiction short film Niñas (2024) participated in Festival de Cine Incontrastable 2024, Hispanic Heritage Film Festival 2024, Amarillo International Film Festival 2024 and Cine Festival San Antonio 2024 as one of the Mesquite Award Narrative nominees.

Area of Focus: documentary, performance, social justice, feminism, sexuality, Latinx culture, autobiography