Guillermina Zabala Suarez

Guillermina Zabala Suarez is a Professor of Practice and Assistant Director of the Film and Media Studies Program at the Interdisciplinary School for Engagement at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Born in Argentina, she is an award-winning filmmaker, artist, educator, and researcher whose work explores the intersection of individuals and their environments through documentary and digital media.

• Education:
  • B.A. in Cinema from Columbia College Hollywood (1998)
  • M.A. in Media Studies from The New School (2021)
  • Ph.D. candidate in Doctor of Arts at the University of La Plata, Argentina

Her research focuses on the emerging documentary movement in Latin America, socio-cultural narratives, and media's role in migration studies. She is actively involved in creating case studies for the platform migrationmapping.org.

Notable exhibitions and screenings of her work include the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio Museum of Art, Telluride Film Festival, and Showtime Latino Showcase. Her documentaries Las Artivistas (Premio Mesquite winner, 2022) and Juanito’s Lab (2021 CineFestival opening film, out of competition) highlight her contributions to film.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Premio Mesquite for Best Documentary Short (2022)
• Media Arts Distinguished Thesis Award (The New School)
• Innovation and Impact Award (UTSA)
• San Antonio Artist Foundation Award
• Rick Liberto Visual Arts Award (Luminaria Foundation)

Her teaching portfolio includes courses in Digital Video Production (MES 3333), Film and Medicine (HUM 3353), and Digital Media Production II (COM 4723). Her photographs are part of the UTSA Art Collection and have been published in books and journals.