Paolo Bitanga

A professional breakdancer from Manila, Paolo moved to New York in 2009 to pursue filmmaking. He first directed dance videos and children's films that played at programs like Newport Beach Film Festival and Asian American International Film Festival. In 2013, he became a commercial director and founded his own company, 8-Player Pictures. Aside from directing content for brands like Adobe and Mastercard, Paolo delved into children's writing. He published his first picture book with National Bookstore, the Philippines' largest retailer. Between dance, writing and film, Paolo decided to focus on his first feature film. While writing, he worked distribution with Film Movement and became a programmer at the Philippine Consulate's annual film festival. In addition, he launched The Small Break, a podcast interviewing other first-time feature filmmakers like Cathy Yan, the first Asian woman to direct a superhero movie. Director, writer, and producer, Paolo aims to push Philippine cinema to a global audience.