AFI Conservatory 2026 Thesis Film

Japhet E. Velazquez is a director from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, now based in Los Angeles. He began making horror shorts in San Antonio, Texas, and dropped out of college after one semester to focus entirely on filmmaking. To fund his early work, he sold his own plasma and went door to door selling water softeners. A graduate of the AFI Conservatory's Directing program, he specializes in horror and is inspired by the work of Takashi Miike, Eli Roth, and David Cronenberg.

Lisa Janae is a recipient of the SONY Alpha Female+ Award and has worked on projects for Hulu, Amazon, TedED, AfroPunk, and Columbia Sportswear among others. A member of both SAG-AFTRA and also IATSE Local 600 as a Camera Operator, Janae moves with intention and is drawn to create art centered in the Black, LGBT+ cultural experiences. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Cinematography at the American Film Institute (AFI), has a Bachelor’s degree in Film Production from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University. 

Matilda Washington is a Cleveland-born Production Designer whose artistry is grounded in both homegrown creativity and disciplined craft. She first discovered her love for design while earning her BFA in Film at Syracuse University, though her relationship with art began much earlier at home, creating installations and exploring visual expression through making. She is now pursuing her MFA in Production Design at the American Film Institute Conservatory.

Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Will Casse began his career at Indigenous Media after graduating from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. At the LA-based production company, he produced over 200 episodes of the acclaimed web series 60 SECOND DOCS and co-produced the company's first feature documentary, JAZZY JUMPERS. Now, as a Producing Fellow at the AFI Conservatory, Will is leveraging his experience to bring the visceral, sci-fi world of his thesis film, POTENCY, to life.

Alex “Lex” Pendragon is a fine arts graduate and polyglot whose global experiences deeply inform her storytelling. Having lived, studied, and worked across multiple countries, she brings a rich cultural perspective to every project. She began her career as a production assistant at a CBS affiliate, where she gained hands-on experience in studio operations and live broadcasting before moving into the in-house art department as a motion graphics designer. Driven by a passion for impactful storytelling, Pendragon later transitioned into freelance editing, collaborating with acclaimed producers and directors to shape narratives that resonate.

Eddie Nenedzhyan is an Armenian-American writer from Los Angeles. Prior to his pivot into filmmaking, he worked as a freelance journalist covering topics such as COVID, homelessness, and illegal businesses. An avid fan of sci-fi thrillers and all things genre, he’s drawn to stories that showcase our humanity when it’s under strain. He can’t wait to bring the world of Potency to life!