Biography
Eighteen-year-old Esabella A.K. Strickland exemplifies the quintessential Gen Z neurodivergent polymath, redefining the concept of a modern Renaissance woman. She is a multi-award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and published author, as well as an acclaimed actress, media host, artist, and Gen Z influencer based in Vancouver, BC. Esabella is a young and dynamic talent who passionately advocates for neurodiversity and anti-bullying through her artistic endeavours. In her on-screen pursuits, Esabella has been featured in local independent short films such as Enlightenment, Things You Take, and Arthur's Gift. Additionally, she co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the short films My Red Ball and The Notebook as part of the Young Movie Makers Program. My Red Ball addresses bullying, drawing from Esabella's personal experiences, and has been showcased in over 72 international film festivals, securing victories at 12 of them. Esabella has also made notable appearances in local productions including Travelers, Goodboys, and A Series of Unfortunate Events. Furthermore, she secured a role in a California milk commercial and acted alongside Greg Kinnear and Terry Chen in the feature film Sight, which is set to be released in theatres on May 24, 2024, through Angel Studios. In this film, Esabella portrays Maria, a blind girl from Moldova. Behind the camera, Esabella has achieved remarkable success as a screenwriter, filmmaker, and producer, amassing over 80 film festival awards. Her film A Conversation with E has already garnered accolades at 26 film festivals and has become a fan favorite, appearing in over 180 festivals. Esabella collaborated with Paul Green to produce her first independent short film, A Dialogue with Pandora, which has won 6 film festival awards. She also served as the writer, director, editor, and producer of the critically acclaimed horror short film MiNE, created as part of Cinelab. Recently, Esabella joined the Film Volt Creative Program as a Gen Z screenwriter, where she is developing the next generation of horror feature films, including the award-winning screenplay "Death Noise." Additionally, she is working on a feature film and a TV pilot adaptation Award-Winning Novel: Then and There, Here and Where - An Orabella the Oracle Saga Esabella, an award-winning media host, has had the privilege of serving as the Youth Ambassador and co-host for the annual VarietyBC Show of Hearts Telethon since 2019. She also took on the role of red-carpet host for the EveRIAthing event in support of the 2019 Joey Awards. In 2019, she was the ambassador and host for Geektopia, an initiative aimed at raising funds for the Amanda Todd Legacy. Additionally, Esabella served as the ambassador and virtual host for the 2020 Meowfest, which supported the Langley Animal Protection Society and the Regional Animal Protection Society. Recently, she participated in the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, where she conducted her first panel as part of the SDICFF. In 2019, Esabella was invited to the Adobe Summit in Las Vegas as an Adobe insider and speaker. She distinguished herself as the youngest influencer at the event and ranked among the top ten in social media engagement during the summit week. Her empathy, compassion, and insights as a member of Generation Z left a lasting impression on attendees. In October 2024, she is scheduled to speak at the TedEd Summit in New York, representing Etre and the next generation of Tedx speakers. Esabella has recently completed co-writing her debut Young Adult novel, Then and There, Here and Where, which was published on March 2, 2021. The protagonist, Orabella, is a neurodivergent character who embarks on a journey to become a heroine. Esabella aims to inspire girls to feel connected and empowered through Orabella's story, which has achieved the #1 spot on Amazon's hot new release list. In the fall of 2024, Esabella will begin her studies at Vancouver Film School, pursuing a diploma in Classical Animation. As an artist, she excels in painting, drawing, animation, and creating custom jean pocket art for celebrities, with 10% of her sales donated to local charities. Esabella has diligently trained herself in various techniques to manage her ADHD, dyslexia, tics, and social anxiety. Throughout this journey, she has identified what she refers to as her two superpowers: an exceptional memory and a heightened sensitivity towards others, including the characters she portrays
