Mariella Gutierrez

2026 Media Arts Scholarship Recipient

Mariella Gutierrez is a 17-year-old media artist from El Cerrito, California, whose work is defined by bold visual storytelling and a highly stylized approach to animation. Drawing from a wide range of cultural influences, their work explores identity, subculture, and emotion through vibrant characters and richly textured worlds.

Working across all stages of the filmmaking process, Mariella combines technical precision with a strong personal voice. They have created multiple independent films and collaborated on team-based projects, developing skills in directing, editing, and visual design. Their work reflects both a commitment to craft and a desire to represent perspectives that are often underrepresented in animation.

Mariella aims to pursue a career in animation for film and television, contributing to large-scale productions as a director or creative lead. The AQF scholarship will support their growth as they attend Gobelins Summer School in Character Animation, where they will strengthen their technical abilities, gain exposure to international approaches to animation, and build connections within the industry.