Biography
Magi Avila made her directorial debut with the multi-award-winning documentary "Altitude Not Attitude," known for its humor, educational value, and inspiration. The film secured North American distribution through Gravitas Ventures after winning 'Best Documentary' at the Spotlight Documentary Awards and Virgin Spring Cinefest. Additionally, it was a semi-finalist and official selection at over 20 film festivals, including the prestigious IDA Documentary Awards and the Academy Award-qualifying Flickers Rhode Island Film Festival.
Following a successful career in Mexican film, television, theater, and opera, Magi Avila moved to Hollywood, the heart of the entertainment industry. Her latest acting roles include the TV series "My American Family" on Amazon Prime alongside Danny Trejo, and the feature film "Dog Eat Dog," starring Oscar winner Nicolas Cage and four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, directed by Paul Schrader. "Dog Eat Dog" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a prolonged standing ovation. She also played a key role in "First Kill" with Bruce Willis and Hayden Christensen. Other notable appearances include "A Better Life" with Oscar nominee Demian Bichir, directed by Chris Weitz ("Twilight Saga: New Moon"), as well as a starring role in Jerry Bruckheimer's TV series "Training Day" with the late Bill Paxton, and the final episode of Shawn Ryan’s acclaimed drama "The Shield."
In theater, Magi Avila has performed lead and co-starring roles in U.S. productions such as "Nuevo California" with the San Diego Repertory Theater and "Little Red" with Josefina Lopez’s Los Angeles-based Casa 0101. She also co-wrote, produced, and starred in the musical theater production "Carmen Miranda - The Lady In The Tutti-Frutti Hat."
Early in her career in Ensenada, Mexico, Magi performed as an opera singer with the choral group "Voces De Primavera," under the direction of her mentor, the late Maestro Jose de Jesus Veliz Ochoa. She performed for celebrities, dignitaries, and former Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo. Magi also briefly worked as a news reporter and on-camera talent for the Mexican television network Televisa. As a teenager, she modeled for print ads and appeared in popular television commercials.
Magi studied theater and arts for four years at the Autonomous University of Baja California Extension and earned her M.A. in Theater of the Body at the University of Guadalajara (UDG). She then moved to the United States to study for three years at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. She continues to refine her craft with various acting coaches in Hollywood. Magi now runs her own acting coaching business, Successful Actor Academy, offering an online six-week course called the Six Steps Formula to Becoming a Working Actor for aspiring and intermediate actors.
She currently resides in Los Angeles, California, and is deeply grateful for all the collaborators who have been part of her journey in both the United States and Mexico.
Written by Luis Reyes
