Professor Dr. Miguel Alvarez

Biography

Miguel Alvarez is an award-winning independent filmmaker and Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, in the Department of Radio-Television-Film. His films have been screened worldwide and have garnered multiple awards from distinguished organizations such as the Directors Guild of America and the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts. Alvarez's recent work includes the film 'Atlantic City,' which tells the story of drifters in San Antonio, Texas, and has been exhibited at festivals across the United States and abroad. He was a Screenwriting Fellow with the Latino Screenwriting Project, sponsored by Cinefestival and Sundance, and his sci-fi feature screenplay 'La Perdida' has received attention in the industry. Alvarez's film 'Mnemosyne Rising' was described by the Austin Chronicle as an ambitious and haunting mini-feature, highlighting his unique storytelling approach. He has also directed 'KID,' a poignant film about a thirteen-year-old boy and his estranged father, noted for its beauty by the late Bill Paxton. His narrative film 'Tadpoles' addresses the harsh realities of war through a non-dialogue format, becoming a staple in university film classes. In addition, Alvarez produced the documentary short 'Giant Sleeps,' which examines Latino voting obstacles and was commissioned by an Emmy Award-winning producer for the Washington Post and PBS. He actively contributes to the local film community, serving as Executive Producer for the Austin Film Festival's award-winning television show, 'Story.'

Research Interests