Andrew Rodriguez
Andrew J Rodriguez is a Dominican-American Filmmaker who was born and raised in The Bronx. He’s always has had a love for storytelling but never saw it as something tangible for a first generation Dominican-American. In 2012, Andrew graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School and went on to pursue a degree in law enforcement at the local Community College. During those years, his love for storytelling grew as he read books on the rules and life of filmmaking. With support from his family, Andrew raised money and attended Manhattan Film Institute, a summer camp that allowed Andrew to direct his first three short films: Survivors, In My Heart and Trapped. After that experience, Andrew decided to pursue film at SUNY Purchase’s Film Conservatory where he directed several short films. Clara, Andrew’s first short film at SUNY Purchase, premiered at Official Latino Short Film Festival in 2016. He then went on to win SUNY Purchase’s 2016 Sophomore Documentary Award with his short documentary In the Quiet and 2017 Miriam Arsham Film and Acting Award with his following project, Missing Colors. He is currently in finishing up his Senior Thesis Film, PLUS: The Short Film. Andrew wrote PLUS in hopes to educate the world on the virus but also humanize those who carry this virus as our society still cannot see people in this community for more than just their condition.