Jac Avila is a renowned film director, producer, and editor, known for his critically acclaimed work in the film industry. Born in La Paz, Bolivia, into a family of artists, Jac Avila's passion for filmmaking began at a young age. He studied film and photography in New York while supporting himself with photography, advertising, and a brief stint at CBS.
Avila's early career was marked by his involvement with the independent film group, Mountain Top Films, where he produced, directed, and edited the internationally award-winning film "Krik? Krak! Tales of a Nightmare." During this time, he also produced and edited the experimental short "The Word is Vroom Vroom" and the film "Huaqueando," which dealt with the sacking of archaeological treasures in Peru.
Avila's work has taken him to various parts of the world, including Canada, Cuba, Hungary, France, and Bolivia. He has collaborated with international film organizations, such as the National Film Board of Canada, ICAIC (the Cuban film institute),Magyar Films in Hungary, Ki Films from France, and Channel Four of England. Most recently, he worked with National Geographic on the production of "Outbreak: The Machupo Virus," shot on location in Beni, Bolivia.
In addition to his work in film, Avila has also been involved in radio programming, hosting and producing shows at WHBI and WBAI. He has also been a guest lecturer at several universities, including Cornell, Harvard, and New York University, where he has spoken about Latin American cinema and politics.
Avila's personal life has been marked by his involvement with the arts. He is the son of the re-known Bolivian poet Antonio Avila Jimenez and the grandson of the Dutch painter Jan Vermeer. He has also been involved in various cultural events and festivals, including the Festival International des Films d'Amiens in France.
Avila's current projects include developing the second part of the miniseries "El Hombre de la Luna" to be shot in New York, Paris, and La Paz, as well as the feature "Aventura" to be directed by Erix Antoine and the sensational television series "Pachamama" to be shot in Bolivia.
Throughout his career, Avila has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the prestigious Amalia Gallardo Awards in Bolivia for Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound. His films have been screened at various film festivals around the world, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Festival International de Cine de Santa Cruz.
