Introducing the Fediverse

Riyen Patel

Cinematographer & camera operator

Riyen Patel is a film student specializing in visual storytelling, cinematography, and editing. He has worked on a variety of short films and creative projects, including narrative pieces, documentaries, stop-motion animations, and daily vlogs (on YouTube). He is also skilled in drone operation and proficient with post-production tools like Adobe Lightroom and DaVinci Resolve. Riyen’s interests include blending traditional practices with modern technology to create work that is both emotionally engaging and visually striking.

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Elena Rossini

Director, editor, writer, VFX artist

Elena Rossini is an Italian filmmaker, photographer and activist. Rossini’s work focuses on issues of social justice, media literacy and digital literacy. Her most notable film is the critically acclaimed documentary The Illusionists, about the globalization of beauty ideals, which Rossini shot in eight countries, across four continents. The film has been featured in Vogue Italy, New York Magazine, NPR, FOX and NBC Baltimore, amongst others. Rossini has since turned her attention to the world of ethical social media and started a blog about the Fediverse – the Future is Federated – in June 2024.

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Samuel Aaberg

Cinematographer & co-writer

Samuel Aaberg is a Chicago-based filmmaker who specializes in directing, casting, and lighting. He is the founder and president of Directors for Actors, a scene study program that hosts weekly rehearsals featuring local talent. Samuel has worked for Reparations Media as a freelance director, Juneteenth Productions as a documentary researcher, and American High Productions as a script development & social media intern. As a student, he has participated in 40+ film productions at DePaul University.

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