Javier Barboza

Javier Barboza is an award-winning Filmmaker, Creative Director, Animator, and Educator. His work tackles the complexity of identity and migration, using surreal, magical realism, narrative and documentary methods to engage the audience in an experience best described as visually immersive. Born and raised in Los Angeles CA, he studied at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), majoring in Character Animation & Film/Video. He received his MFA at University of Southern California (U.S.C.) School of Cinematic Arts and Animation. Most recently he was awarded residency at Yaddo foundation and the Laika studio film fellowship with Film Independent 2022.

He was awarded the Princess Grace Film Grant, was an Annenberg Fellow, and nominated for an Annie award/ASIFA-Hollywood, Imagen awards and Daytime Emmys. He won the diversity award at the Nicktoon Nickelodeon film festival and has been interviewed for Univision, PBS and the Atlantic magazine. He has showcased at a variety of film festivals nationally and internationally and lectured at various universities, including Mexico City, Boston, New York and Los Angeles. Javier continues to freelance and pitch at several studios. He is currently showcasing and experimenting with new ways of telling stories through V.R., A.R, projections, installations, performance art, muppets, graffiti and animation.