Génesis Mancheren Abaj (b. 1992, they/them) is a Queer, Kaqchikel actor and filmmaker, born and raised in New York City. As a screenwriter and director, they are interested in exploring Kaqchikel contemporary stories that include the supernatural, the surreal and the absurd. Génesis completed their first short film called Terrible Angel in November of 2022, in which a young woman is reunited with one of her ancestors that guides her into the afterlife through a ritual of care.
Upon graduating from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism in 2017, they have worked extensively within film. Their written, produced and edited work has shown at Tribeca Film Festival, VR Arles Festival, Icaro Film Festival, Rooftop Films, as well as Open Society Foundation, Leslie Lohman Museum, Centro Corona and more.
They are co-founder of Tierra Narrative (TN), an independent production house that focuses on Central American art and cinema through programming and production. Génesis is currently developing TN’s first feature film, Dólar. In 2022, they participated in Cine Qua Non Storylines Lab and they are a 2023 Sundress Academy for the Arts resident and fellow.
