Film & Video
Branded Storytelling
Tech intersections recap video 2023
Tech Intersections is a gathering for women of color in the technology field. The conference provides a platform for individuals to connect, learn and exchange valuable insights gained from one another.
Role: Producer, Director, DP, Editor
Kapor Fellows: Building Generational wealth and DEI-driven tech
At the heart of the Kapor Center’s mission is the goal to increase diversity in the tech ecosystem. One summer program transforms theory into practice; meet the Kapor Fellows.
Role: Producer, Director, DP, Editor
Tech intersections recap video 2022
Tech Intersections is an affordable conference for the women of color most underrepresented in tech to come together and learn from each other’s successes, challenges, and experiences. Our fourth annual conference was held at Mills College on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Whether you celebrated successes and challenges with us in person or not, relive the magic all over again through our recap video, and stay tuned for Tech Intersections 2023!
Role: Producer, Director, DP, Editor
One tiny home, one big future
Terance lost his mother at nine years old and spent the rest of his adolescence in and out of foster care. When he came across the Safe Car Park program in Oakland, he had been living in his car. What followed is a story of resilience, community-building, and one tiny home transforming one person’s life in a huge way.
Support the Interfaith Council of Alameda County’s Safe Car Park program by visiting: interfaithac.org
Role: Producer, Director, DP, Editor
Award-Winning Short Films
Monica’s Path to Creative Growth
Monica Valentine is an accomplished artist whose beaded sculptures have been sold by Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Barneys New York, and displayed internationally. However, Monica is not a typical artist. She is blind and developmentally disabled. Monica's story of expressing herself through art at Creative Growth is a testimony to human capacity and drive when afforded the right opportunities.
Created in one week by Elena Mateus at University of California, Berkeley in 2018 as part of Campus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival. Accepted into the Cannes Court Métrage at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019.
Role: Producer, Director, DP, Editor
An American Dreamer: Oscar Valencia
Oscar Valencia is just like any other Berkeley student. He juggles a job with both of his majors, is a part of a fraternity, and is a Resident Assistant in the freshman dorms. There is just one exception: Oscar was brought to the United States illegally from Mexico when he was just five years old. He tells the story of his journey becoming a citizen in a place that doesn’t always seem to want to accept him.
Created in one week by Elena Mateus at the University of California, Berkeley in 2017 as part of Campus MovieFest, the world’s largest student film festival.
Grand Prize Winner in Campus Docs category at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival.
See UC Berkeley student to take DACA documentary to Tribeca Film Festival written by the Daily Cal, also featured on Berkeley Arts + Design.
Role: Producer, Director, DP, Editor
FWD.us
Founded by Mark Zuckerberg, FWD.us is a digital advocacy organization moving America forward through immigration and criminal justice reform.
#ForOurFamilies: Israel’s Story
Meet Israel, a Georgia surgical tech who is among millions of essential, frontline workers building the pathway to recovery from the #COVID19 crisis. Like many of them, Israel is stuck and trapped by our failed immigration system.
To solve this crisis, we must go beyond just reversing the damage done over the last four years; we must transform our entire immigration system #ForOurFamilies. Join Israel in urging President-elect Biden and Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented individuals. https://www.fwd.us/stories/israel/ #WeAreHome
Role: Assistant producer, assistant editor
#ForOurFamilies: Jesus’s Story
Meet Jesus, a Houston paramedic who is among the millions of essential, frontline workers building the pathway to recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. Like many of them, Jesus is stuck and trapped by our failed immigration system.
To solve this crisis, we must go beyond just reversing the damage done over the last four years; we must transform our entire immigration system #ForOurFamilies. Join Jesus in urging President-elect Biden to create a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants. https://www.fwd.us/action/jesus/
Role: Assistant producer, assistant editor
#ForOurFamilies: Vicente’s Story
UFW Foundation member Vicente has worked with his family as a farmworker since he was 12-years-old. Vicente and his family are among more than a million undocumented farmworkers workers helping keep communities across the country fed through the #COVID19 crisis, all without protection from the government.
Successful recovery for everyone in America is directly linked to a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers. Join Vicente in urging Congress to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by March 12, 2021. https://www.fwd.us/action/pathway-for... #WeAreHome #FWMA
Role: Assistant producer, assistant editor
Videos on behalf of the UC Berkeley Gender Equity Resource Center
LGBTQ+ Alumni series for UC Berkeley
Educational & Marketing features for UC Berkeley
Social Media for Cal Women’s Rugby
@calwomensrugby on instagram for more content
Previous Work
Videos made on behalf on the Journalism Education Association in 2016
Documenting People’s Park
Dwellers of People's Park in Berkeley, Calif. explain what the park means to them and the community, especially as the park faces destruction in the near future.
“Tackling HOmelessness” in the super bowl city
Elena Mateus reports on the "Tackling Homelessness" protest that took place on the Embarcadero in San Francisco on Feb. 3, 2016.
Carlmont combats islamophobia
Published Jan. 5, 2016. Elena Mateus covers the prevalent issue of Islamophobia and where it stands at Carlmont High School.
Awarded "Best of SNO” (School Newspaper Online)
Awarded 1st Place in California/ 3rd Place Nationwide in National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest
Snapchat: Why is it blocked?
Published on Oct. 1, 2015. Elena Mateus reports on the firewall installed against Snapchat in the Sequoia Union High School District.
Awarded "Best of SNO” (School Newspaper Online)
The district-wide firewall was removed as a result of this reporting: