Bio

Tyaela (they/she) is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker, writer, and educator whose work blends vivid, emotionally charged storytelling with a bold, theatrical sensibility. Rooted in their Afro-Latinx heritage and queer identity, they craft narratives where the intimate meets the surreal- finding humor in dark things and joy in the shadows, and transforming everyday moments into poetic reflections.

With a B.F.A. from NYU’s Experimental Theatre Wing and an M.S. in Professional Writing, Tyaela merges performance, film, and literature to amplify underrepresented voices.

As a director and teaching artist, they mentor emerging creatives in storytelling and production, fostering bold, meaningful collaborations that embrace complexity and the unexpected. Tyaela has worked as a Teaching Artist at Ghetto Film School and currently mentors young filmmakers at Reel Works. They are set to direct the pilot episode of the upcoming series “ill-advised” in spring 2025.

Awards and Recognition

Lola Mama Nanay – New Generation Filmmakers Forum, FilAm Creative Film Festival, Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival, Cebu International Film Festival, San Diego Filipino Film Festival, Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest, Houston Asian Film Festival

Limon Agrio – Latino Film Market Award, Best Shorts Competition