China’s Biggest Online Streaming Service, iQiyi Opens Its First Movie Theater

Michael Adonts: Hi, my name is Michael! I am a filmmaker based in Los Angeles, currently living in the SF/Bay Area, where I attend UC Berkeley as an undergrad, majoring in Psychology. Beyond my studies, I also work as a freelance producer, videographer and editor, having worked with a variety of clients, ranging from local musicians to up-and-coming start ups, making videos, commercials and trailers. My interest in film began in middle school when my family and I immigrated to LA, having previously lived in Russia and Armenia (my homeland.) Having limited experience in American culture and language, I took to watching platitudes of classical American films of the 70s, 80s and 90s, from which, while seeking to simply become educated in a foreign culture, I discovered my love for cinema and its different forms, like directing, writing, and editing. I started making my own films in high school, where I also began collaborating with friends on projects of various nature. Learning the craft myself, I continue to do so now as I start to dive into bigger projects, with the goal of writing and directing for film and TV! While early on I was mostly exposed to New Hollywood directors and 90s filmmakers like David Fincher, the Coen Brothers and Spike Jonze, I eventually began venturing to foreign cinema of the likes of Fellini, Bergman, Kurosawa, as well as Old Hollywood masters like Hitchcock, David Lean, and Billy Wilder. In films I primarily seek two things: passion and innovation. I love observing confident filmmakers masterfully submerge the audience into unique worlds and stories, utilizing all of cinema’s many possibilities like visuals, sound, music, and editing. Film has developed a universal language that is becoming more and more available to wider varieties of artists, which makes me excited to observe and engage in the future of both Hollywood and the world cinema!