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Takeovers

Michael Achtman (@machtman) is a Canadain Filmmaker and digital artist born in Montreal and currently based in London, UK. He has an A.B. from Harvard University and graduated from the Acting Programme at Ryerson University. As writer, director and performer, his work spans theatre, film, video and live art. From 1997 through 2002, he collaborated with R.M. Vaughan on a series of poetic, DIY videos that screened at international festivals and culminated in retrospectives at the Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo and SPIN Gallery, Toronto.

Since 2005, Michael has frequently collaborated with numerous deaf and disabled artists in film, theatre, and live arts projects. His award-winning short film, Awake, starring two blind actors, screened at international film festivals won the Liane Yasumoto Jury Prize at Superfest Film Festival, San Francisco, and the Best Actresses Award at Breaking Down Barriers, Moscow. During his Takeover, Michael showcased some of his older work and some material from his new short film, Orin & Anto (@orinandanto).

Orin & Anto (UK 2019, ENGLISH, Colour, 20 mins.) A young, nonbinary visitor to London returns to their Airbnb to find an older gay man has moved in while they were out. In a small studio flat over one turbulent night, Orin and Anto confront the queer generation gap and decide to make space for each other.