Michael R.L Begay is from the Santo Domingo Pueblo and Navajo Nation tribes, currently attending the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe New Mexico working on a BFA in Cinematic Arts & Technology emphasizing in Directing, Editing, and Director of Photography. He graduated with an AA in both Culinary Arts from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and Media Communications from Haskell Indian Nations University. Michael is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, cinematographer, screenwriter, photographer, chef, silversmith, and traditional artist. He’s received numerous awards for his work in both film and art including 1st place in the TCJ Magazine Art Competition, 2nd Place in 2-D Art at the Woodland Indian Art Show & Market, 2018 AIHEC People’s Choice Award for Co-Directing, “Did Anything Wrong.” 2019 AIHEC Best Cinematography and Special Effects for his original film “Lightening Boy.” Michael also Captained/Coached IAIA’s 2019 AIHEC Undefeated Handgame Champions. Michael also received the AIMES Hooded Scholarship in Wollongong, Australia, and the Digital Native’s Artist Exchange Project in Brussels, Belgium at the Bozar Museum