Mike Akel

Born in Tennessee and raised in Arkansas, Mike studied Film at Missouri State University before moving to Chile to teach conversational English. After putting roots down in Austin, Texas, he pursued acting through improv comedy and commercial television, prior to discovering his passion for directing. In 2000, Mike co-wrote, directed, and produced a 60-minute docu-style comedy, BUTCHER’S 15, which played at several festivals and received a Comic Vision Award at the Forth Worth FF. Over the next three years, Mike taught TV/Film at Travis High School and developed youth film programs including the Austin Student Digital Film Festival. Mike’s comic sensibilities were on inspiration overload throughout his time as a teacher. While his appreciation for teachers and their unique challenges grew, so did his understanding of some of the absurdity inherent in this profession. The result is his first feature film: CHALK.