Iyare Oronsaye is a distinguished Mellon Research Fellow, a former Animation & Interactive Program Director at the University of Northwestern, and a TELLY Award-winning creator. He is currently an Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University. With over 18 years of experience in animation, virtual reality, and game design, Oronsaye excels in creating animated content, innovating teaching strategies, and advancing research in character animation, consistently ensuring that academic content meets industry demands.

Black Waters (Trailer)

"Black Waters" is a generative AI-crafted short film that follows a group of men as they embark on a journey to a land they call home, though it feels entirely unfamiliar. The terrain, both haunting and alluring, is filled with shifting paths and surreal landscapes that mirror their inner struggles. As they navigate this enigmatic place, the men search for solace and connection in a world that seems to challenge their every step. The land itself, alive with whispers of forgotten memories and unspoken truths, compels them to confront the pain they carry and the identities they’ve left behind.

Through quiet reflection and surreal encounters, the travelers begin to reconcile their past with the possibility of a freer, more hopeful future. Within the mysterious expanse of Black Waters, they discover a place where healing becomes an act of courage and pain no longer holds them back. A haunting yet hopeful exploration of identity, belonging, and transformation, Black Waters is a cinematic journey into the unknown, offering a poignant reminder of the power of self-discovery and the resilience required to move forward.

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