Research Interests

Creative and educational work is rooted in film as a form of inquiry, cultural memory, and community voice.

Biography

George Reyes is a filmmaker, educator, and National Board Certified Teacher whose work connects cinematic practice, interdisciplinary arts, youth media, special education, and inclusive education. He is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the MFA Program in Interdisciplinary Arts and Writing at California Institute of Integral Studies, where he teaches courses in arts pedagogy, arts context, mentorship, and independent study.

His creative and educational work is rooted in film as a form of inquiry, cultural memory, and community voice. Reyes holds an A.B. in Art, Film, and Visual Studies from Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude, an MFA in Film and Television Production from New York University, and an M.Ed. in Educational and Instructional Technology from California State University, Northridge, where he graduated with distinction.

Reyes has directed, shot, produced, and edited award-winning short films screened at national and international festivals. His feature documentary, La Muñeca Fea / The Ugly Doll, focuses on Casa Xochiquetzal, a shelter for elderly sex workers in Mexico City, and received support and recognition from Tribeca All Access and Film Independent.

Across his career, Reyes has worked at the intersection of media production, arts access, disability justice, and education. He received funding from the Echoing Green Foundation and the Stride Rite Foundation to support his work with disadvantaged youth in video production. He founded youth media programs in Cambridge, MA, and served as a tenured faculty member in the Communications Department at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico City, where he taught film and video production in English and Spanish.

He also developed a curriculum for AFI FEST’s Screen Education Program and worked with film organizations such as Sundance, Outfest, Showtime, Film Independent, and the New York Film Academy.

He served as a special education teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, working closely with students on the autism spectrum and supporting social-emotional learning, communication, academic access, and individualized instruction. He also mentored cohorts of new special education teachers through LAUSD’s teacher preparation programs, helping early-career educators develop inclusive, student-centered practices.

Reyes holds California Education Specialist Instruction Credentials in Mild to Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs, a Career Technical Education credential in Arts, Media and Entertainment, and National Board Certification as an Exceptional Needs Specialist. He is also the founding magnet coordinator and instructor of video production and theatre arts at Laurel Cinematic Arts and Creative Technologies Magnet in Los Angeles, a K-8 public school focused on cinematic arts, media production, and creative technologies.

His teaching centers on project-based learning, student voice, creative risk-taking, and the use of media as a tool for reflection, expression, and public engagement.

Education

A.B. in Art, Film, and Visual Studies, Harvard University

MFA in Film and Television Production, New York University

M.Ed. in Educational and Instructional Technology, California State University, Northridge

Awards & Distinctions

Echoing Green Foundation Public Service Fellow

Stride Rite Foundation Public Service Fellowship

Founder, Do It Your Damn Self!! National Youth Film Festival

Film Independent Project Involve Fellow

Film Independent Elizabeth Peña Fellowship

Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Award

Tribeca All Access Official Selection

NALAC Advocacy Leadership Institute

Harvard University, magna cum laude

National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts Scholarship 

Lincoln Center/ Grand Marnier Film Fellowship

Warner Bros. Post-Production Fellowship

Wasserman Film Fellowship

Gould Scholarship

Tisch Scholarship

Scholastic Achievement and Honored Graduate recognition from the M.Ed. program in Educational and Instructional Technology at California State University, Northridge 

National Board Certification, Exceptional Needs Specialist

Tecnológico de Monterrey Teaching Distinction

1st Place: Columbus International Film Festival

Special Jury Prize: New England Film Festival