Yulian Mateo ‘Awakened’ wins big at film festivals across the globe

Yulian Mateo debut short film, ‘Awakened,‘ is gaining attention and recognition in Hollywood. The 17-minute thriller has been nominated at eight film festivals and has won four awards so far, including Best Indie Short at the Los Angeles Film Awards, Best Indie Film at the Top Shorts Film Awards 2021, Best Drama at the Florence Film Festival, and Best Indie Short at the Imagine Rain Independent Film Awards. The film tells the story of a man trying to come to terms with the world around him, grappling with visions and the consequences of his actions. ‘Awakened’ is the first in a series of four short films exploring the themes of loss and connection. Yulian’s upbringing in the South Bronx, where he had to learn resilience at a young age, likely influenced the film’s tone and themes. Yulian’s creative journey began in high school when he discovered his love for film after taking a multimedia class. Later, he met Adam Race, who shared his creative passion, and they founded Stonecutter Films together. ‘Awakened’ is their first production, and the film’s lead, Adam Race, also serves as Yulian’s creative partner. Apart from directing and cinematography, Yulian is also a producer and co-founder of Acosta Park Studios, a full-scale production facility based in New York. Yulian and his co-founder, Manny Acosta, have worked with major brands and hosted some of the biggest names in music, including Meek Mill, Joey Badass, and Jeezy. Yulian’s resilience, ambition, and creative energy have propelled him and his team to success in the film industry. ‘Awakened’ is a promising start to Yulian’s career as a filmmaker, and his future projects are eagerly awaited by fans and critics alike. To watch the film, visit the website filmfreeway.com/awakened2021.