Michael Merlino

I am a twenty-year-old filmmaker based in Chicago, Illinois. For as long as I can remember, I have loved filmmaking. I have been writing, directing, and acting in videos and short films since my pre-teen years. This interest grew into a serious passion and led to producing, directing, filming, and editing a catalogue of thoughtful, award-winning independent short and featurette films.

I have been blessed with awards, recognition, and accolades from The Bahlsen National Student Film Competition, All-American High School Film Festival, and The Illinois High School Art Exhibition, to name a few. Since 2020, I've been enrolled in DePaul University, under their Film & Television major, concentrating in directing. At DePaul, I’ve written/directed/acted/and edited a fifty-minute drama featurette (created during the pandemic), acted in a series of graduate student works, and directed two additional collaborative projects during my most recent (2021-22) winter break.

I am a student of the craft━I jump at any opportunity to learn everything I can from anyone who can teach me! I love everything about filmmaking, but my main passion lives in writing/directing/acting/editing. I enjoy connecting with fellow artists and invite you to connect with me to discuss and engage in different genres, topics, perspectives, experiences, and new techniques━all with the intention of telling stories that need to be heard.