Yanely "Nelly" Castellanos is an award-winning fimmaker with hands-on experience across various departments on set. Nelly is committed to the art of filmmaking, focusing on narratives that highlight diverse communities. As a Queer Mexican filmmaker, they aim to amplify underrepresented voices by enhancing inclusion for Queer and Trans people of color in the film industry.
Outside of filmmaking, Nelly actively engages with non-profit organizations, channeling their passion for community involvement through event organizing and youth outreach. They aspire to blend their filmmaking skills with their dedication to uniting communities, to create a positive impact through their work.
Their first short film, "The Unhappy Birthday", won the People’s Champ Award at the 2022 Walgreens Expressions Challenge. Their latest short film "DAYDREAMERS" was an official selection for the 19th annual CineYouth Film Festival presented by the Chicago International Film Festival, the 2024 Big Teeth Small Shorts Festival, and earned the "Audience Choice Award" at the Cariño Festival de Cine in its 2024 festival run.