The UC Merced Speaker Series for Careers in the Arts & Media brings to UC Merced a diverse group of arts professionals to share with our students their rich experiences, career paths, and life lessons. Each speaker will give a 40-minute presentation on their professional paths, exciting projects, and challenges, to be followed by a 30-minute Q&A. We hope to inspire and encourage our students to explore more varied and expansive career possibilities and opportunities.

Eugenia Renteria is a filmmaker and educator. Born and raised in a rural community in Zacatecas, Mexico, she moved to California when she was 12 years old. She attended CSU Monterey Bay and graduated with a B.A. in Cinematic Arts & Technology. Eugenia wrote and directed Amor en Cuarentena, Strawberry Picker, and the award-winning documentary Tierra Fértil, which premiered at Mexico City's Cineteca Nacional and was later broadcasted at Mexico's Canal 22. Her work has been showcased at San Diego Latino Film Festival, San Francisco Latino Film Festival, Official Latino, and ShortsMexico. She was an inaugural fellow for the Watsonville Film Festival’s Cine Se Puede Fellowship and is a PBS Ignite Mentorship Program mentee. Eugenia is the co-founder and owner of Inspira Studios.

Maria Bonner is a filmmaker and educator, born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico. She moved to California in 2003. Maria's work has been featured at the Crocker Art Museum, La Mujer Art Show, Good Day Sacramento, and the Watsonville Film Festival. Maria graduated from the Art Institute of California-Sacramento with a Bachelors of Science in Digital Film and Video Production. Through filmmaking, Maria wants to shine a light to her community’s stories as well as their struggles.

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