Camilo Rodriguez

Camilo Rodriguez is a Colombian-Canadian filmmaker with over 12 years of experience in video editing, directing,
and writing. His work often explores the lives of ill-fated characters typically overlooked in mainstream narratives,
seeking to find the extraordinary in unusual places. This approach frequently leads him into the realm of magical
realism.

Camilo earned his bachelor’s degree in Cinema and TV in Bogota, Colombia, where he quickly established himself
as a director on a variety of projects. His natural aptitude for listening and his keen ability to read people proved
invaluable in leading creative teams, allowing him to harness and amplify each member’s unique potential in
service of the project.

After graduating, Camilo worked as a 1st Assistant Editor for a major production company in Colombia,
contributing to TV series for Netflix and Caracol TV, one of the country’s largest networks. Working on projects
with 60-80 one-hour episodes, he gained a comprehensive understanding of the filmmaking process. His role
involved reading scripts, watching dailies, analyzing directors’ work, dissecting actors’ performances, and piecing
together the final product. Insights from showrunners also gave him a deep understanding of the business side of
the creative industry.

In 2017, Camilo migrated to Canada, where he further honed his skills as a photographer, production coordinator,
and video editor. These roles helped him settle and provided the professional experience needed to become a
Permanent Resident and, later, a Canadian citizen. In 2023, Camilo began an MFA in Film Production at York University. He is currently developing The Haenyeo Project, a proof-of-concept for a grounded sci-fi TV series that reflects his experiences as an immigrant, human being, and artist. Through this project, Camilo continues to explore the extraordinary within the ordinary, blending his rich cultural heritage with his passion for storytelling.

The Haenyo Project – Thesis Film Synopsis:
In 1996, 16-year-old Jane, a second-generation Korean Canadian, lives under the strict control of her mother, Dr. Hana Kim, in a small town in Northern Ontario. Bullied at school as the only Asian student, Jane’s life changes when her mother brings home a mysterious old woman, her estranged grandmother, Kim Young-Sook. Neither knew of the other’s existence. Jane soon discovers that her grandmother is a Haenyeo, a female free diver from Jeju Island that can transform into a sea creature when she’s in the water. Despite her mother’s efforts to keep this secret, Jane forms a strong bond with her grandmother and secretly helps her embrace her true nature, while Dr. Kim tries to protect the family by keeping the transformation hidden. What Jane doesn’t know is that this curse – or gift – runs in her blood, too.

Research Specialties:

Camilo Rodriguez

Graduate Student

MFA in Film Production

camilo.rodriguez.al[a]gmail.com