We are delighted to introduce Roberto Valdes Tena, a new lecturer in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technologies of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI). Roberto is a Mexican director and writer with over 20 years of experience in advertising, working with global brands such as Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Disney, ExxonMobil, 20th Century Fox and many more. He holds a degree in Communications from the Del Valle de Mexico University (UVM) and an MFA in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in Los Angeles, California. He is also the recipient of a prestigious screenwriting fellowship at the Sundance Film Festival.
Roberto’s career in directing began in 2006 with a Carlos Santana concert in Guanajuato, Mexico. His first short film, Algien, received international acclaim, being selected for more than 20 official film festivals and winning 11 awards. Roberto has also been working as a film critic for more than 5 years, is a regular jury member of the La Spezia Film Festival and is on the jury of many other international film festivals. Among his most notable works are Redemption for a Lost Soul and Lost in Prato, presented at the Venice Film Festival. He also participated in the James Bond film Spectre as an extra director.
In addition to directing, Roberto has also written three novels, Guía de Sobrevivencia en Tiempos de Cuarentena (Survival Guide in Times of Quarantine), El Kosmonauta (The Astronaut) and Condictum (Agreement). His latest film, The Dream Fisher, soon to be released, has already received acclaim at international film festivals.
Roberto talks about his long-standing friendship with Kauno kolegija HEI and his love for Lithuania. His journey started in 2017, when he visited Lithuania for the first time. ‘I first came to this beautiful country 7 years ago and since then I have been returning to Kaunas every year to teach creativity and film production,’ he says. Despite the fact that Roberto is originally from Mexico, he feels at home in Kaunas every time he comes here.
He is particularly fascinated by Lithuanian culture and finds working with students of Kauno kolegija HEI very rewarding. ‘I am inspired by their enthusiasm and curiosity, which is reflected in their work. I am proud to see the results of their work,’ Roberto points out.
Now a new phase of collaboration is beginning between Roberto and Kauno kolegija. He plans to devote even more time and expertise to the institution and its students.
Over the years, Roberto has also developed a film script inspired by his research on the 9th Fort, a historical site in Kaunas. He plans to produce and direct the film here in Kaunas in the near future.
‘I am very happy to be a part of Kauno kolegija HEI, the city of Kaunas and Lithuania – a country that has become my new home,’ Roberto concludes.
