Writer/Director Mike Akel will discuss his journey, (High's and Low's) of writing, filming, editing and distributing his award winning film CHALK. Mike will show clips from the film and share his experience that began with an idea and 3 years later ended up in theaters across the country. In the 'doc' comedy style of "The Office" and "Best in Show", CHALK pulls you into the frenetic and awkwardly painful journey of three novice teachers as they navigate one memorable school year. Director Mike Akel provides a rare and realistic teacher's perspectve into the absurd, provocative and occasionally volatile world of public education. In a country where 50% of teachers quit within the first three years, CHALK delivers an enormous dose of heart, hilarity, and hope for America's most important institution.

About Mike Akel
Mike’s experience as a writer/director and producer include a number of short films and two award winning feature films. His latest feature, Chalk was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, won eight awards on the film festival circuit and was released theatrically in over 50 markets nationwide. Mike just completed co-writing a feature film for Universal Pictures, which he is also attached to direct. Currently, He is directing a feature comedy entitled The Passion of Danny Burke. As an instructor Mike recently completed a semester as a lecturer in the Department of Radio-TV-Film at The University of Texas at Austin where He taught Advanced Digital Narrative Production, an upper division undergraduate course. From 2000-2004 Mike taught Digital Film/Video at Travis High School and was also one of the co-founders of the Austin Student Digital Film Festival.