Each year, Filmmakers Connect shines a spotlight on the brightest emerging talents in the indie film industry with our 30 Under 30 list. This prestigious selection celebrates the creativity, passion, and perseverance of young filmmakers who are redefining storytelling for a new generation.
From bold directors and visionary writers to innovative producers, these artists are not just creating films — they are shaping the future of cinema itself. Their diverse voices and unique perspectives breathe fresh life into the art form, reminding us of the power of storytelling to connect, challenge, and inspire.
As we unveil the 30 Under 30 class of 2024, we invite you to discover the faces and stories behind the next wave of cinematic excellence. These are the changemakers, the dreamers, and the disruptors — ready to leave their mark on the world of film.
Amara Vayder
Amara Vayder is an award-winning actress and producer known for her versatility and captivating performances. With over 100 commercials to her credit, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the advertising industry. However, she is now making her mark in the world of film and television, bringing her talent and passion to the big and small screens alike. With a knack for bringing characters to life and a dedication to her craft, Vayder is poised to become a prominent force in the entertainment industry for years to come.
Born to a Nigerian father and an American mother of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, Amara Vayder embodies a rich cultural heritage that has profoundly influenced her worldview and artistic endeavors. Despite the loss of her father, she draws strength from her Nigerian roots, which continue to inspire her creative expression.
Vayder's passion for storytelling stems from her desire to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding among people from diverse backgrounds. Through her work, she seeks to challenge societal norms and open viewers' minds to the beauty of cultural diversity. Her ultimate goal is to use the power of film and television as a platform for promoting unity and empathy in an increasingly fragmented world.
As Vayder embarks on this new chapter in her career; Keep an eye on this rising star, as her journey is just beginning.
Aaryaveer Siingh
Aaryaveer Siingh, a passionate filmmaker from Chandigarh, embarked on a bold journey to pursue his dreams. Driven by his love for cinema, he made the life-changing decision to leave his engineering studies after just one year and enroll in film school. Immersed in an environment of creativity and surrounded by like-minded individuals, he discovered his true calling.
Aaryaveer's creative journey is fueled by his talent for crafting compelling narratives, whether through the written word or the lens of a camera. His adventurous spirit and love for exploration play a significant role in his work, as traveling to new places and experiencing different cultures continually inspire his imagination.
For Aaryaveer, films are pure joy — each frame a story, each scene a touch of magic. His passion for storytelling and filmmaking continues to shape his artistic vision and drive his pursuit of excellence in the world of cinema.
Andreas Mortensen
Andreas Mortensen is an educated and award-winning screenwriter, director, and producer from Sweden, with roots in Arctic Norway.
He is the co-founder of the production company Duga Film, for which he has written and directed over ten projects that have received international critical acclaim. In January 2024, his screenplay Phantom Questions won Best Horror Screenplay at Festigious.
Audrey Lim
Audrey Lim is a writer from the Bay Area in California. She discovered her passion for writing as a second grader through creative writing homework assignments. When she began high school, Audrey developed a love for script-writing. Taking challenging classes, participating in intense workshops, and working with a dramaturg to hone her skills has led Audrey to win numerous national and international accolades for her scripts. Audrey interned with NHDocs Film Festival in New Haven, Connecticut for the past two summers and is currently finishing her third feature-length screenplay.
She is currently interning with Open Planet Lab, a partner of Studio Silverback, as a content producer. Her go-to method for finding inspiration is watching films and reading industry screenplays. Audrey is a freshman at Carnegie Mellon University studying film and an alumni of Choate Rosemary Hall, and her dream career is the same as it was in second grade: to be a writer.
Ava Della Pietra
Ava Della Pietra is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter, Broadway alumna, and emerging talent in pop music. With over 4 million streams, half a million social media followers, and 4 million YouTube views, she is making a significant impact on the music scene.
Ava recorded her first original song at just 10 years old and has since written more than 130 songs, releasing 13 of them to date. Her talent has earned her recognition in numerous songwriting competitions, collaborations with acclaimed producers, and chart success across multiple formats.
Praised by media outlets such as Parade, American Songwriter, and Just Jared, Ava has been named one of the artists to watch in 2024. To learn more, visit www.avadellapietra.com or follow her on social media.
Bianca Roth
Bianca Roth is a filmmaker and writer who honed her craft at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University. It was during her time there that she began to find her voice, developing a passion for female-driven stories set in character-rich worlds where audiences can see reflections of themselves.
Primarily focused on narrative characters and plots, Bianca’s creative journey continues to evolve. While in college, she wrote and produced a two-episode short series, marking her first significant foray into the art of storytelling. Her dedication to crafting engaging stories and developing relatable characters is at the heart of her work.
Bianca drew inspiration for her project Twenty Somethings from a desire for a glamorous LA comedy that also delves into the struggles and setbacks people face in their twenties. With this project, she hopes to bring audiences laughter, connection, and a deeper sense of camaraderie with the characters she creates.
Bingliang Li
Bingliang Li is a Chinese film director, producer, and cinematographer. He graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Arts and a minor of Art and is currently pursuing his career in Los Angeles. He was awarded “Best New Director”, “Best Short film” and “Best Sci-Fi” in several film festivals for his short films.
Growing up in Yunnan province, Bingliang was immersed in the most vibrantly ethnic minority culture of China; later, he had his high school in Shandong province where the profound cultural heritage of Confucianism gives him an opportunity to interpret what Chinese culture means to him. In 2016, he came to the United States for his undergraduate study and follows the steps of filmmakers like Ang Lee and Yimou Zhang, all of who he admired as inspiring predecessors in making films about Chinese culture and cultural bond with the community.
Bingliang’s work explores various of themes, including Sci-fi within the context of Asian culture. He believes that the fictional narrative is a great medium to reflect provocative social issues. As an Asian filmmaker, Bingliang feels the responsibility of representing his own culture on a global stage of filmmaking, and he is pursuing his unique way of storytelling by combining Sci-fi elements with Chinese culture.
Daisha Sherman
Daisha Sherman is an enthusiastic artist who can’t help but create in any and all mediums, eager to bring joy to others through her various works. Always balancing multiple projects, she loves designing and experimenting through film, animation, painting, crafting, and dance. After graduating San Jose State University with a BFA in Animation/Illustration, she continues to share her passion and happiness through fine art galleries and markets. She loves the endless opportunities and experiences art provides, and the boundless contentment found in making someone smile.
In August 2024, she and her co-director, Isabelle Maria Tumboimbela, won the LAFA (Los Angeles Film Awards) Best Picture award for their animated short film My Turn!. The film went on to win Film of the Month at Top Shorts in October 2024.
My Turn! is a heartwarming 2D animated film set in Jakarta, Indonesia, where two sisters, Beth and Liz, become rivals in a race to the bathroom. The story, inspired by Isabelle Tumboimbela's childhood experiences with her younger sister, explores themes of sibling rivalry and love. The film pays homage to the charm of classic Saturday morning cartoons while celebrating Southeast Asian representation in animation.
Eliana Cordova
Peruvian multidisciplinary artist. She graduated from the One Year Conservatory Program of Method Acting at The Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute (USA); and has a BA in Theater from PUCP (PER). She has taken Film Directing and Screenwriting courses, and won a scholarship for a certificate program in Film Production at CIBEF (MEX) and for a certificate program in Directing Actors at Sundance Collab (USA) .
As an actress, she has worked in the movie El Plebeyo by Catherine Pirotta, on television in A Distancia by Canal IPE, and in theater in plays such as Nací para quererte, Lamentos: Todos las pieles, La Disputa, etc. She has recorded short films in Peru, and in the United States. As a screenwriter, she wrote the miniseries Micaela y Dante for the Ministry of Education, where she also worked as an actress and singer. And, as a teacher, she has worked for PUCP and CCPUCP (PER).
Her first short film is called One Minute of Unconsciousness. This project has been directed, and starred by her, written and produced by her and her brother; and shooted with an artistic and technical team of immigrants living in Los Angeles.
Elijah Gordon Young
Elijah Gordon Young is a Washington DC based independent filmmaker, who has self-produced, written, directed, shot, and edited 5 short films, and in 2024 completed his debut feature "Rock Creek Express", which won Best Indie Feature at the New York International Film Awards, Honorable Mention: Indie Feature at the Oniros Film Awards and Los Angeles Film Awards, and was an Official Selection for the Cannes World Film Festival.
Ethan Zane Stages
Ethan Zane Stages is a screenwriter and actor from small town Amarillo in the Texas panhandle. After discovering his love for film and television at a young age, he began writing his first short stories at thirteen years old, and his first full pilot script at a young eighteen years of age. He would later go on to write his first full length feature, “Novella Manhattan”, garnering him his first ever placement at a festival.
Hailey Hameetman
Hailey Hameetman is an artist, filmmaker, and creative writer. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, within the John C. Hench Division of Animation & Digital Arts.
Her animated short film The Fish Collectors, a darkly humorous tale about a deal gone awry over the infamous "Candiru" fish, won Best Original Story at LAFA in June 2024.
Iga Xiaoyi Zhou
Iga Xiaoyi Zhou is a LA-based writer, director, and editor. She was born and raised in China and moved to California to build her directing career. She recently earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film at Columbia College Hollywood. Zhou's creative vision is driven by a deep commitment to showcasing the narratives of minority communities and offering an authentic portrayal of stories through a female eye. She is also known for A Dog's Journey (documentary/short) Flavor of the Season (documentary/short), and Behind My Gaze (a thriller/short).
Jack Amsler
Jack Amsler is an actor and writer originally from the Boston area.
Jack’s beginnings in the arts were humble, starting with simple high-school drama classes and writing poetry in the ‘notes’ app in his iPhone when inspiration struck. This passion blossomed, and that very same poetry served as the inspiration for his first screenplay, Found in Space.
His projects have included many leading roles in short films, the leading role in a feature length film this past September, and multiple award winning full length screenplays.
With diverse interests, Jack hopes to explore any and every genre in both acting and writing. Jack aims to create art, no matter the shape or size, and hopes to create things people can appreciate and find beauty within.
Jhenifer Emerick
Jhenifer Emerick is an actress, producer, and screenwriter who has embarked on a journey to establish her unique artistic voice.
Her debut project, Letters to a Young Woman, marks her first venture as a creator and has already garnered significant recognition, earning awards and resonating deeply with audiences.
Driven by a passion for transformation and connection, Jhenifer's work consistently seeks to inspire and foster a sense of identification.
Kevin J. McCorry
Irish Filmmaker & Screen writer from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Studied at Liverpool John Moores University, worked on several productions independent and studio based before moving on to write, direct & produce own work both short film and commercial based content. Dedicated to achieving how quality content through visual storytelling and the adapation of an interpretational art form of cinema.
Luke Valdes-Rodriguez
Luke Valdes-Rodriguez was born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut. He has always had a passion for story telling, and knew at an early age that he wanted to write and direct films. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema and Television Arts along with a minor in psychology at Elon University, he found his niche of telling gritty stories revolving around crime, and the deeper psychological aspects of human beings. On his free time, Luke writes features screenplays, enjoys hikes, playing basketball and directing short films. Luke enjoys collaborating with new creatives whenever he can and is always ready for the next adventure that life brings.
Madison Lin
Madison Lin is an award-winning filmmaker from Oakland now based in Los Angles. She studied Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California and works as a director. She has a background as the founder of Enigma Films and has garnered recognition from institutions like the Austin Film Festival, Screencraft, and the SHIFT Creative Fund. She also has experience in development and production with companies such as Blumhouse Productions, CBS Studios, Apple TV+, and Netflix.
Markus Kashouh
As a Lebanese growing in the Middle East region, Markus Kashouh is a young filmmaker striving to create short films that inspire change. As a graduate from Biola University's Cinema and Media Arts program, he has been given the opportunity to hone his skills as an aspiring film director. For years now, he has been greatly involved in the media world. His most recent work includes his award-winning short "Halfway," which shares the story of reconciliation between two cultural enemies. His dream is to be known for films that add value to people's lives and bring about change in his country and the world.
Max Ornstil
Following a six-year professional soccer career, twenty-nine year old Max Ornstil is looking to bring a unique perspective to filmmaking. Despite an interest in the arts growing up, Max felt confined to sport while pursuing a childhood dream of playing professional soccer. After picking up a camera in the later stages of his career, he re-discovered a passion for storytelling and the art of film. As the current co-founder of soccer-inspired brand NEIGHBORHOOD SPORTS CLUB, Max is using storytelling, sport, and community as a vehicle for creating a more connected and inspired world.
Milcania Díaz-Rojas
Milcania is a Dominican-Canadian actor and writer based in Toronto. She is an alumnus of the prestigious CBC Actors Conservatory, Class of 2023-2024, at the Canadian Film Centre. During her time there, she both starred in and made her writing debut with the short film ZURY, which has been making waves on the festival circuit, earning several Official Selections and winning her the Best Actress - Canada award at TINFF.
Milcania made her feature debut in the HBO film SHARE and has since appeared in numerous acclaimed film and television productions, including Homekilling Queen (Lifetime), The Bold Type (Freeform), and Slip (Roku).
She will next be seen starring in the post-apocalyptic thriller 40 Acres, which recently had its world premiere in the Special Presentations program at TIFF.
Perit Jan Aydemir
Perit Jan Aydemir was born in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria in 1996 and moved to Istanbul in 1999. He studied Computer Engineering at Istanbul Technical University. He is a musician and a software engineer. In 2020, he released a folk music album. Since 2014, he has been the musical coordinator for an Istanbul-based dance and music ensemble. Now, after numerous attempts, Perit Jan is stepping into the world of filmmaking for the first time, marking a new chapter in his creative journey.
Rosemary Idisi
Rosemary is a Nigerian American Actress that grew up in the performing arts. She recently won Best Actress awards at the 2023 Playhouse West Film Festival and Scarefest Weekend Film Festival for her work in Glamping, a horror short film she wrote, produced, and starred in. Rosemary studied acting at the George Mason University School of Theater and professionally trains in the Meisner technique. When she is not acting, Rosemary enjoys playing volleyball or binge-watching anything on TV with romance. Rosemary has a charming smile and charismatic personality, and is always ready for a new challenge. She is excited to be breaking into the film & TV industry!
Sarantis Raftopoulos
Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Sarantis Raftopoulos is a screenwriter known for a diverse body of work that includes shorts, features, and television pilots. With a degree in Political Science from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a graduate certificate in Film and TV Development from UCLA, Raftopoulos combines a deep understanding of narrative structure with a rich background in political and social themes. Raftopoulos is a rising talent poised to make a significant impact in the world of cinema.
Simon Sciacovelli
Simon Sciacovelli is a multidisciplinary filmmaker and designer based in New York, celebrated for his innovative fusion of technology and storytelling. Drawing inspiration from literature, surrealism, and emerging technologies, his work blends poetic narratives with striking visual compositions, offering a fresh yet accessible lens on the human experience.
Originally from Italy, Simon moved to New York to pursue his passion for filmmaking and media theory, earning a BFA in Communication Design from Parsons School of Design and an MA in Media Studies from The New School. His professional journey spans a variety of roles, including creative designer at Journey, where he has contributed to high-profile CGI projects, live-action media, and cutting-edge animations.
Simon’s acclaimed short films, including Paravirtual, Obsession from Outer Space, and the award-winning Nostalmagia, have been showcased at exhibitions, museums, and film festivals worldwide. Nostalmagia has garnered particular praise for its intricate visuals and unique storytelling, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the field.
Beyond filmmaking, Simon’s expertise spans 3D design, motion graphics, and interactive media. His work is defined by a commitment to pushing creative boundaries and crafting immersive, meaningful experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.
Tim Borowiec
Tim Borowiec is a filmmaker with a B.F.A. in Film & Television from the Savannah College of Art Design, where he also minored in Dramatic Writing. As a queer person, he's particularly interested in telling LGBT stories. As a filmmaker, he values himself on his ability to write and direct grounded performances, and his realistic, less-is-more style that enables him to focus his energy where he believes it matters most: message, theme, and character. Convention is his senior thesis at SCAD and his most ambitious project to date, and he is excited to expand his horizons and take his vision into the professional world.
Tim Tobias
Tim Tobias is a young aspiring filmmaker and screenwriter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has certainly worked on projects such as the TV series 'Sprung' and 'A Man Called Otto'. In his spare time, Tim writes his own screenplays, as much as he can, and likes to go to the movie theaters for inspiration to continue to study the craft of filmmaking and writing.
Yvon Streacker
Yvon Streacker is a Writer, Director, and Actor from the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Goofy and sincere, Yvon is a lot like Gene Wilder, Paul Rudd, and Sokka from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The stuff he writes resembles Atlanta, The Good Place, or She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
His Directing style has heavy Wes Anderson, Edgar Wright, and Bill Hader influences.
Zoe Bell
Zoe Bell is an American director, actor and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Born in San Francisco, she has been creating films as a form of self-expression for her entire life. Beginning with stop-motion shorts shot on her father’s digital camera, she swiftly evolved her craft to create more complex films to screen for her family throughout her adolescence.
Zoe studied Film Production and Political Science at Chapman University, graduating in 2024. She currently fulfills her creative drive by working in various positions on independent projects across the Los Angeles area.
Zoé Mahfouz
Zoé Mahfouz is an Award-Winning bilingual French Actress, a Screenwriter and a Content Creator based in Paris (France). She studied acting in Paris, London and Los Angeles in schools such as the Actors Studio, the Acting Corps and the Scott Sedita Acting Studios where she trained with Scott Sedita himself (former agent of Matt LeBlanc from Friends). She also specialized in improv comedy by being part of french improv leagues for 3 years.
On top of that, she performed long-form improv at the iconic UCB Theater on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles. She performed stand-up comedy all over Paris, starting with the Théatre Trévise, for a crowd of 270 people. 2+ million online views later, her satire videos on YouTube/TikTok garnered three Jury Awards, an Audience Choice Award, an Honorable Mention and got featured on medias such as FailArmy, MinuteBuzz and LPE360 (Funny Videos), among others. Zoé has actually received many Best Actress Awards in various film festivals across the globe for her monologue performances, interpreting characters from Marriage Story by Noah Baumbach, Master of None by Aziz Ansari and Hacks by Lucia Aniello. She performed guest starring roles in several TV series and appeared in a dozen commercials that were shot both in Paris and Los Angeles. Proud holder of a screenwriting certificate from the University of Cambridge, her screenplays have been recognized by a handful of IMDb qualifying film festivals.
We can't wait to see what the future holds for these remarkable talents!
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