MARLENE EMILIA RIOS
DIRECTOR. WRITER. PRODUCER. PASSIONATE STORYELLER. CREATIVE-AT-LARGE.
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DIRECTOR
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CINEMATOGRAPHER
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PRODUCER​
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WRITER
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Hi there. I'm Marlene, an award-winning digital creative based in Los Angeles with recognitions spanning from my skills as a writer and editor all the way to my directorial talents. And if you're here, I'm assuming you're as obsessed with good storytelling as I am.
I'm a recipient of the 2020 UFVF Kodak Excellence in Filmmaking Grant. I've created viral content as a producer for Fisker Inc, led an anti-disinformation campaign with Voto Latino, managed event coverage at Film Independent and currently run my own production company, Huelga Media. You name it, I've done it (when it comes to creative that is, let's not get crazy).
I'm a proud graduate of the London Film School and the University of New Mexico where I honed my craft creating film and digital media projects with their own unique challenges in each environment. As a director, I achieved critical success with my capstone film We Choose To Go. Through Kickstarter, I raised 190% of our goal, earning recognition as a 'Project We Love,' with over 100 backers. The film went on to screen at 15 international film festivals and received praise from Women in Film, Film Threat, UK Film Review and IndieShorts Mag. Ultimately We Choose To Go was picked up by DUST where it amassed 150,000 views in its first few weeks (and yes, I actually got paid for a short film). You can say I'm used to rising to a good challenge. See for yourself.
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CREDITS
LUCIA & NICOLE
(US WIP - 2025)
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HEATHENS
(UK/US-2021)
Winner, Audience Choice, Short Thriller/Horror/Sci-Fi, Monmouth Film Festival 2021
Winner, Best Dark Drama Micro Film, Austin After Dark Film Festival 2021
Nominee, Best Thriller Short, IndieX Film Fest 2021
Nominee, Best Women Short, IndieX Film Fest 2021
Nominee, Best Editing, IndieX Film Fest 2021
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Official Selection, Indie Shorts Mag Film Festival 2021
Official Selection, Fantasm Shock Reel Film Festival 2022
Official Selection, Atlanta Horror Film Festival, 2022
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WE CHOOSE TO GO
(UK-2019)
Winner, UFVF/Kodak Excellence in Filmmaking Grant 2020
Winner, Best Sci-Fi Short Film, LA Live Film Festival 2020
Winner, Audience Choice, Student Film, Monmouth Film Festival 2020
Winner, Best World Project, Latino Film Market 2020
Semi-Finalist, Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2020
Official Selection, Female Eye Film Festival 2020
Official Selection, LA Festival of Cinema 2020
Official Selection, San Diego Latino Film Festival 2020
Official Selection, NYC Independent Film Festival 2020
Official Selection, Sci-Fi London Film Festival 2020
Official Selection, San Francisco Latino Film Festival 2020
Official Selection, NALIP Latino Media Fest 2020
Official Selection, Women's International Film Festival 2020
Official Selection, Tri-Cities International Film Festival 2021
Official Selection, New York Latino Film Festival 2021
SANGRE
(UK-2016)
Official Selection, San Pedro International Film Festival 2017
Official Selection, Berlin Flash Film Festival March 2017
Official Selection, Miami Independent Film Festival April 2017
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FEMME
(USA-2015)
HERMANAS
Directed by Viktoria I.V. King
15 mins| 16:9 | Color | Digital | Sony a7iii
(US-2022)
Official Selection, PANO Shorts Showcase, 2024
Official Selection, Dominican Film Festival, 2023
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REMAINS
Directed by Stephanie Lorenesi
10 mins| 2.35: 1 | Black & White | Digital | Arri Alexa Classic
(UK-2017)
Best Student Film, Around International Film Festival Amsterdam October 2018
VARNISH
4 mins| 16:9 | Color | 16mm | Aaton XTR
Directed by Andrea Vigoni
(UK-2017)
EDUCATION
Directed by Hsien Yu Niu
5 mins| 16:9 | Color | Digital | Canon C500
(UK-2017)
LUCIA & NICOLE
(US WIP - 2025)
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HEATHENS
(UK/US-2021)
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WE CHOOSE TO GO
(UK-2019)
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HALVOR’S RADIO
Directed by Michael Amundsen
(USA-2016)
Winner, Best Short Narrative, Culver City Film Festival 2016
Winner, Gold Award, Gallup Film Festival 2016
Winner, Gold Remi Award, WorldFest Houston 2017
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JUBILATION
Directed by Aroonsri Khamsamran
(USA-2015)
LUCIA & NICOLE - SHORT SCRIPT
drama
(US WIP - 2025)
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I SEE ME IN YOU - SHORT SCRIPT
horror
(2022)
Finalist, Hollywood Horrorfest 2023
Quarter-Finalist, Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition Season 3
Quarter-Finalist, LA International Horror Film Festival, 2022
Second Rounder, ScreenCraft Film Fund Spring 2022
Quarter-Finalist, Filmmatic Horror Screenplay Awards Season 6
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NEMA - SHORT SCRIPT
sci-fi
(2022)
Semifinalist, Filmmatic Sci-Fi/Fantasy Awards Season 2 2024
Second Rounder, ScreenCraft Film Fund Fall 2023
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LAS CENIZAS - FEATURE SCRIPT
drama
(2020)
Finalist, Atlanta Screenplay Awards, Summer 2021
Semi-Finalist, Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2o21
Quarter-Finalist, San Francisco International Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards 2022
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HEATHENS - COMPLETED WORK
thriller
(UK/US-2021)
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WE CHOOSE TO GO - COMPLETED WORK
sci-fi
(UK-2019)
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FLOR - SHORT SCRIPT
drama
(2017)
Quarter-Finalist, ScreenCraft Film Fund Fall 2017