Alex Rivera

Career Rivera studied political science and media theory at Hampshire College, graduating in 1995. Rivera states that "over the past ten years he's been making work that illuminates two massive and parallel realities: the globalization of information through the internet, and the globalization of families, and communities, through mass migration."

Rivera, captures the process of migration and the social changes an immigrant faces in order to be considered a model United States citizen. The issues that are presented through his films impact the Latino communities because of the realism that is presented by characters in his films. They establish relationships with audiences, not only from the Latino community, but from all those who have experience dehumanization from their host countries. Rivera wants his viewers to understand that the "American Dream, is five minutes into the future, where the relationship between technology and a variety of political issues where it is precisely through a visualization of the dehumanization of migrants through technology that the film engages with their humanization."

Rivera has made films about labor, immigration, and politics since the 1990s. Some of his work has been viewed as mockumentaries and works that illustrate the transnational struggles of immigrants. Rivera's work reveals the transnational obstacles immigrants face in fighting for inclusion in the U.S. while providing for public development back in their hometowns. Sleep Dealer (2008) Sundance Film Festival - Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award & Alfred P. Sloan Award 2008 Berlin International Film Festival - Amnesty International Award 2008 Neuchatel International Fantasy Film Festival - Best of the Festival 2008 Gotham Awards - Nominee Breakthrough Director 2008 Independent Spirit Awards - Nominee Best First Feature 2008 Creative Capital award 2000 The Sixth Section (2003) Guanajuato Film Festival - Best Documentary 2004 UrbanWorld Film Festival - Best Documentary 2004 Why Cybraceros? (1997) Cine Festival - Best Experimental 1997 Papapá (1995) Chicago Intercom Competition - Silver Hugo 1995 New York Expo of Short Film and Video - Silver Award 1995

Filmography Film