About

Mario Genel, Founder and Director

Mario Genel is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the film and television industry across the U.S., Spain, and Mexico. He has produced content for prominent companies such as Univision News, Grand Pacific Resorts, and numerous nonprofits. As a filmmaker, Mario’s first feature film, From the Corner (2024), which he directed, produced, and edited, achieved notable success with distribution through Cinepolis, Latin America’s largest cinema chain.

In addition to his industry work, Mario dedicated five years to teaching and managing the film program at Options for All in San Diego, California. During this time, he mentored over 150 adults with disabilities, guiding them to achieve their creative aspirations and build careers in the arts.

Mario's accolades include the HBO Best Latinx Short Film Award, the Diversity in Film Award from the San Diego Film Consortium, and the Best Short Film Award in the national Cinépolis BBVA Mexico competition.

Meet (some of) the mentors:

Journalism, Animation and Film Mentor

Toni Aoun

Toni is a multimedia designer and media producer with extensive experience in hospitality, fashion, and education. He holds a degree in Communication, Media, and Journalism from the University of Buckingham, where he also served as a Visiting Lecturer, teaching advanced video editing and motion graphics.

Toni has worked with renowned brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, London Business School, and the University of Oxford, and has held leadership roles in news and production management. Fluent in four languages, he excels in video editing, motion graphics, and multimedia production, combining creativity with strategic marketing.

Passionate about fostering teamwork and communication, Toni enjoys sharing his expertise and creating impactful content for global audiences.

Writing, Editing, and Film Mentor

Nick Cassol

Nicholas Cassol is an editor and content producer. A Maryland native, he has spent most of his life in San Diego and earned a degree in Journalism from USC Annenberg in 2023. With a passion for writing, film, media, and culture, Nicholas brings creativity and precision to his work.

He has gained experience as an assistant editor for companies like Longball Hard Iced Tea and Grand Pacific Resorts, a research assistant for Story Force Entertainment, and a videographer for the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Dedicated to education and helping others, Nicholas shares Creative Mentoring Collective’s mission to inspire and empower individuals through creative expression.

Editing and Career Mentor

Marina Viruete

Marina holds a degree in Communication from Universidad Iberoamericana, complemented by extensive training in post-production and scriptwriting.

Her career spans work on acclaimed feature films and both fiction and non-fiction series for major networks, including Amazon, HBO, Fox, and public television channels.

With over eight years of experience as an educator, Marina has taught courses in editing and post-production at prestigious institutions such as Universidad Iberoamericana, CUT, and the Guanajuato International Film Festival.

She currently serves as the Editorial Manager for Starplus (Disney) in Mexico, where she continues to make a significant impact in the industry.