Art As Hope: Breast Cancer Reflections

A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Film and Television, Alina Avila Ko produced literary and sound collage programs for WBAI’s “Working Title” and held various positions at WNYC radio and television. She was an assistant editor on the PBS documentaries “The Childhood Project” and “The Human Language,” as well as the producer of independent documentaries “Havana My Home”, “Rockers and Roqueros,” and independent feature film “Beware: Children at Play.” Community coordinator on “Billy Bathgate” and Joe Pesci’s “The Super.” Sound designer for “Anywhere But Here” at INTAR Theatre. Member of IATSE Local 700 Motion Picture Editors Guild. Location sound recordist of “The Puerto Rican Mambo,” with actor John Leguizamo, director Larry Fennenden’s “Poets and Prostitutes,” producer of the sound collage “Busqando.”

Director of NYU thesis film “Parallax” and short videos. Contributing Content Creator episode 1 of NYU web series “Urban Wildlife.”

Alina read her poetry, produced events, recorded and participated in performance art showcases at St. Mark’s Poetry Project, Nuyorican Poets Café, 91 St Y, and other venues.

Studio manager at Metro Studios, Inc., ServiSound, Inc., account coordinator at National Video Center and Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, Inc.

Associate producer at local top-rated radio program, “The Neil Rogers Show,” “Jon and Juan” at the Pelican Playhouse and Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Miami Dade College- Cable TAP, Miami Dade College North Campus Media Department, in addition to freelance work. Co-founder of Purple Octopus Art, LLC, a publisher of art books that address human and environmental ailments through the prism of art being a tool for healing.

Alina is the owner and Executive Producer at Art Garden Productions, LLC. She is producing and directing documentaries “Mother and Daughter….remember me?” “Trauma and the Artist” animation music video “Unreconstructed” and narrative “Friend of Life.” She also produces videos for nonprofit organizations and local businesses.

A breast cancer survivor and mental health advocate, Alina utilizes art to raise awareness and educate, one medium at a time. She is producing a series of short documentaries about breast cancer and mental health.

Alina is an advocate for social change through Advocacy Art, using her work to influence legislation and support movements that promote civil and welfare rights.