8finite
stories
For me, filmmaking combines everything. That's the reason I've made cinema my life's work. In films, painting and literature, theatre and music come together. But a film is still a film.
Akira Kurosawa
Oana L Whaples
Director / Producer
Born in Romania and recently moved to Miami, she is a multidisciplinary artist interested in all aspects of travel, its people, and the endless stories that unfold.
When she is not gingerly walking into people with a camera or a notepad in hand, she finds company in books and inks.
About
me
I started my career in foreign languages, photojournalism and then eventually moved into graphic novels. I was amazed at the similarities to the cinematic arts. I made it my mission to show more of it to the world.
Previous
work
2023 Dancing for Ukraine
2023 – Guatemala: Dreams of Harvest
Once, the old Miami Herald building was the glue that kept its community together. After its destruction, a sense of mentorship and camaraderie was lost along the way. Journalists discuss the impact the newsroom has had on them, raising questions about the future of journalism without a physical space.
Filmography
Short documentaries created by the director/producer/cinematographer/editor include:
- "News Without a Newsroom" (15 min): This documentary delves into the influence of the former Miami Herald on its local community.
- "Dreams of Harvest" (26 min): Follows the journey of a coffee grower and students in Guatemala as they navigate the intersection of tradition and progress.
- "Dancing for Ukraine" (15 min): Chronicles the narrative of Ukrainian ballerina Yuliia as she escapes conflict to Miami, grappling with professional hurdles.
education
MFA in Documentary Filmmaking
2024, University of Miami, USA
MFA in Creative Writing,
2017, University of Roehampton, London, UK
BA in French and English Language and Literature
2015, University of Transylvania, Romania
