The Lion and the Firebird
USA, 15 mins, Digital
In 40,000 BCE, when a woman fleeing her own tribe comes face to face with a Neanderthal, she must decide whether to turn back or trust him.
Director/Writer: Daniel Byers
Producer: Fernando González Ortiz
Director of Photography: Zachary Ludescher
Editor: Daniel Byers
Production Designer: Sadra Tehrani
Cast: Renia Gardner, Edwin Lee Guzman, Edwin Joseph, Olivia Yanogacio, Teresa Yenque, Fermin Padilla III
Contact: Fernando González Ortiz, fernando.g@columbia.edu
Program J
Film Screenings:
May 7th at 9pm ET
May 14th at 9pm ET
About the Director/Writer
As a documentary filmmaker focused on wildlife, climate, and indigenous rights, Daniel Byers has produced films in over 60 countries – from tracking cartels along the rivers of Honduras, to chasing snow leopards through the mountains of Afghanistan. His documentary films have been featured on the UK Guardian, BBC, National Geographic, the Smithsonian, and Doc NYC. When not in the field, Daniel makes fantasy, horror, and historical adventure films. He recently completed principal photography on his first feature, Eradication, and is completing an MFA at Columbia School of the Arts.
About the Producer
Fernando González Ortiz is a US-based Latino producer born in Caborca, Mexico. He worked for several years in the Mexican TV and film industry. His passion for technology led him to produce The Lion and the Firebird, one of the first student short films to be filmed at a Virtual Production LED Volume. He is a Fulbright Alumni and a CONACYT-Cultura Scholarship recipient.
