Office Hours

Get to know Michael

Michael Castelaz holds an MFA in screenwriting from Columbia University. He has worked as a writer for independent filmmakers and production companies. As an educator, he has worked with Rowan University, Temple University, Sundance Co//ab, Northwestern University’s High School Institute program, Columbia University School of the Arts and New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

His short film Justine (writer/producer) screened at the Montclair Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival, New Filmmakers NY Film Festival, among others. His original pilot script, Grand Circus, received top honors at the 2018 Columbia University Film Festival. In 2019, Glazed (writer/director), his hip-hop coming-of-age short film, was nominated for 10 Detroit Filmmaker awards including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. He has produced and directed music videos, developed podcasts, hosted workshops on pitching, lectured on Star Wars, and writes optimistic stories for cynical times.