Biography
Alexandra "Shana" Álvarez Pilonieta is a Venezuelan Sound Designer, Sound Producer, Voice Artist, Singer, Actress, Media Producer, and Content Creator, with more than 20 million views on YouTube and over a dozen awards and official selections at prestigious international film festivals.
She holds a degree in Sound Design and Sound Production for Audiovisuals and Music, and is a voting member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) as well as Women In Film Los Angeles. Now based in Los Angeles, she continues to develop projects with a global reach.
Her work stands out for its technical precision, narrative sensitivity, and the ability to turn sound into a character of its own. Shana's career spans across feature films, short films, web series, and multimedia content-where she has consistently demonstrated that sound can be as powerful and storytelling-driven as the image itself.
Independent Creations
Through her company Shanelle Productions, Shana has co-created and produced original web series that have become global milestones for Spanish-language independent content:
Again The Series (Tú Otra Vez): The first GL-style Asian-inspired web drama produced in Latin American Spanish, filmed in New York. The series has surpassed 5.8 million views and won multiple awards, including Best Web Series at the Shunyatam International Film Festival (India, 2024) and the Cult Movies International Film Festival (UK, 2025), as well as Best LGBTQ+ Narrative at the Elegant International Film Festival (India, 2025). It was also nominated at the New York Shorts Awards (2025) and officially selected at festivals in Italy, Canada, and Singapore.
Elixir: After Time: A mystery-romance about past lives and reincarnation, filmed entirely in Tennessee and produced in-house. The series has surpassed 4.3 million views and earned awards such as Best Web Series at the Global Visionaries Film Festival (Singapore, 2025), Best Episodic Content at the *Bangkok Movie Awards (Thailand, 2024), and Best Female Filmmaker at the Mermaid Film Festival (Italy, 2025). It was also nominated at the New York Independent Cinema Awards (2025) and the New York Shorts Awards (2025).
Film Collaborations
Shana's expertise in sound design has also contributed to the success of multiple independent feature films and short films showcased at Oscar®-qualifying festivals and distributed worldwide:
In Transit (dir. Jaclyn Bethany) - Official Selection at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (2025) and the Deauville American Film Festival (2025).
Ruby (dir. Jaclyn Bethany) - Debuted at the HollyShorts Film Festival (Oscar® qualifier), won the Audience Award at the New Orleans Film Festival, making it Oscar-eligible for Best Short Film 2026.
Before The World Set On Fire (dir. Jaclyn Bethany) - Selected at the New Orleans Film Festival (Oscar® qualifier), distributed by Gravitas Ventures, now available on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Tubi, Sling TV, Plex, Fandango, and more.
Deployed (dir. Jaclyn Bethany) - Official Selection at the Cinema Femme Film Festival (Chicago), highlighting women filmmakers.
The Falling World - Nominated for Best Sound Design at the FilmHaus Festival (Berlin, 2022), screened at Cinequest, Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival, NOT Film Festival (Italy, Best Ensemble), and Defy Film Festival (USA, Best Feature). Available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Tubi.
Highway One - Premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, followed by screenings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London. Winner of Best Ensemble at the NOT Film Festival (Italy) and Best Feature at the Defy Film Festival (Nashville). Official selection at the Vail Film Festival and Evolution Mallorca Film Festival (Spain). Available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Tubi.
Angélica (dir. Víctor Velasco) - Official Selection at the LA Shorts International Film Festival (Oscar® qualifier), New York Latino Film Festival, CDMX International Film Festival, and Paraguay International Film Festival. Supported by the HFPA & Warner Media's Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today Fellowship.
Superestar (dir. Daniel Larios) - Screened at Bentonville Film Festival, Hola México Film Festival, and Philly Latino Film Festival (winner of the LOLA Award). Supported by Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today Fellowship.
Memorama (dir. Daniel Larios) - Screened at the Paraguay International Film Festival, Official Latino Film Festival, and the ÍCARO Film Festival, where it won 2nd Place for Best Fiction Short Film.
Recognition & Artistic Journey
Shana's career has been recognized with two YouTube Creator Awards (including the Silver Button in 2020), a Best Sound Design nomination at the FilmHaus Festival (2022), and multiple academic awards in sound design and composition during her studies. She is also known for her background as a singer in the Venezuelan music group Cheers Music (2013-2016) and for her production work on the Venezuelan radio show Secuencia2 (92.9FM).
With a career that bridges Latin America, the United States, and Europe, Shana Álvarez Pilonieta has established herself as one of the most innovative creative voices in Spanish-language independent cinema and beyond-continuing to amplify diverse stories and bring Latin American talent to the global stage.
