Documentary filmmaker and audiovisual producer with 15+ years of experience translating complex research, climate, and innovation topics into clear, human-centred audiovisual narratives for EU-funded initiatives and international organizations. Led full production cycles—from concept and scripting to final delivery—for 20+ EU-funded projects across science, climate action, digital policy, and social innovation, combining production expertise with academic authority as a former Professor of Cinematography and Documentary Editing.

Martín Andrés Balestrini

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Documentary filmmaker and audiovisual producer with 15+ years of experience translating complex research, climate, and innovation topics into clear, human-centred audiovisual narratives for EU-funded initiatives and international organizations. Led full production cycles—from concept and scripting to final delivery—for 20+ EU-funded projects across science, climate action, digital policy, and social innovation, combining production expertise with academic authority as a former Professor of Cinematography and Documentary Editing.

Available to hire

Documentary filmmaker and audiovisual producer with 15+ years of experience translating complex research, climate, and innovation topics into clear, human-centred audiovisual narratives for EU-funded initiatives and international organizations.

Led full production cycles—from concept and scripting to final delivery—for 20+ EU-funded projects across science, climate action, digital policy, and social innovation, combining production expertise with academic authority as a former Professor of Cinematography and Documentary Editing.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Advanced

Work Experience

Audiovisual Producer & Documentary Filmmaker at Ideas for Change
January 1, 2017 - January 31, 2026
At Ideas for Change, I worked as an Audiovisual Producer responsible for the development of audiovisual and documentary content for EU-funded projects focused on science, technology, climate change and innovation. My role involved shaping narratives and audiovisual strategies to communicate complex topics in a clear, engaging and impactful way, working closely with researchers, institutions, multidisciplinary teams and project partners. I led the audiovisual process from conceptualisation and storytelling to production and delivery, ensuring alignment with project objectives, communication strategies and dissemination requirements across European and social innovation initiatives. This experience strengthened my expertise in impact communication, EU project environments, and the use of audiovisual storytelling as a strategic tool for knowledge transfer, engagement and social transformation.
Audiovisual Production Lead — IAAC Fab Lab Barcelona at IAAC Fab Lab Barcelona
June 1, 2016 - December 1, 2017
Produced content for educational and research programs on the human habitat, and for the global coordination of the Fab Academy (MIT Center for Bits and Atoms).
Audiovisual Production Lead at IAAC Fab Lab Barcelona
June 1, 2016 - December 1, 2017
Produced content for educational and research programs on the human habitat, and for the global coordination of the Fab Academy (MIT Center for Bits and Atoms).
Audiovisual Producer / Documentary Producer at Making Sense EU (Horizon 2020, Grant Agreement No. 688620)
June 1, 2016 - July 1, 2018
Produced and directed documentary content on citizen participation and environmental sensing. Translated open-source digital practices and complex scientific processes into a human-centred narrative across Barcelona, Amsterdam and Kosovo. Connected the project's research framework with real-world environmental conflicts (air quality, water and noise pollution).
Audiovisual production at IAAC Fab Lab Barcelona
June 1, 2016 - December 1, 2017
Audiovisual production for Fab Lab Barcelona (Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia), supporting educational and research programs related to multiple scales of the human habitat, and collaborating within the Fab Academy network.
Audiovisual Producer / Documentary producer at Making Sense EU
June 1, 2016 - July 1, 2018
Worked on the Horizon 2020 EU-funded project Making Sense (Grant Agreement No. 688620) focused on citizen participation and environmental sensing technologies. Directed and produced a documentary connecting the project’s research framework with real environmental conflicts in Barcelona, Amsterdam and Kosovo, translating complex scientific processes into a clear, human-centred narrative.
Audiovisual production at IAAC/ FAB LAB
June 1, 2016 - December 1, 2017
Fab Lab Barcelona is part of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, where it support different educational and research programs related with the multiple scales of the human habitat. It is also the headquarters of the global coordination of the Fab Academy program in collaboration with the Fab Foundation and the MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms; - See more at: http://fablabbcn.org/about_us.html#sthash.Pro6qv20.dpuf
Audiovisual productionAudiovisual Producer & Documentary producer at Making Sense EU
June 1, 2016 - July 1, 2018
I directed and produced a documentary connecting the project’s research framework with real environmental conflicts in Barcelona, Amsterdam and Kosovo, translating complex scientific processes into a clear, human-centred narrative.
Professor, Production & Post-production of Audiovisual Media at Universidad Veracruzana
February 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Taught three academic units within the Bachelor's in Theatre program: Creation and Production of Audiovisual Media, Post-production, and Production & Post-production of Audiovisual Media.
Profesor Universitario en Producción y postproducción de medios audiovisuales at Universidad Veracruzana
February 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Taught undergraduate experiences in audiovisual media production and post-production, including integration/creation and production management. Courses covered: Creation and production of audiovisual media; Post-production; Production and post-production of audiovisual media (integration, management).
University Professor in Audiovisual Media Production and Post-production at Universidad Veracruzana
February 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016
I taught 3 academic experiences for bachelor's degree in theater at the Universidad Veracruzana 1.Audio-visual media creation and production (Integration, Creation 2) 2.Post-production (Integration, Creation 3) 3.Audio-visual media production and post-production (Integration, Management)
Film Professor, Bachelor's Degree in Cinematography at Escuela Veracruzana de Cine Luis Buñuel
January 1, 2011 - March 1, 2016
Taught Cinematic Practices I & II (Fiction / Documentary), Documentary Editing, Editing I, and Documentary Screenwriting. Guided students through the complete creative process, from concept and script development to shooting and editing.
Film Professor (Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography) at Escuela Veracruzana De Cine Luis Buñuel
January 1, 2011 - March 1, 2016
Taught documentary and fiction-oriented courses combining practical filmmaking training with narrative development and post-production skills. Courses included: Cinematic Practices I (Fiction), Cinematic Practices II (Documentary), Documentary Editing, Editing I (Fiction Film), and Documentary Screenwriting. Guided students through concept-to-postproduction workflows and narrative development.
University Professor in Audiovisual Media: Development, Production and Post-production (documentary) at Veracruzana de cine Luis Buñuel
January 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Teacher of subjects: Documentary Scriptwriting Documentary Production and Practice Audiovisual Editing and Post-production Cinematic Practices (Fiction) Academic Advising: He is a consultant for thesis projects and screenplay development for young filmmakers Continuing Education: He has taught film appreciation diplomas at the Universidad Veracruzana,
Freelance Audiovisual Producer & Documentary Filmmaker at Independent
January 1, 2005 - Present
Support organisations in translating complex topics — innovation, science and climate change — into clear, engaging and strategically aligned audiovisual narratives. Develop impact-driven documentaries and institutional films for European and international stakeholders.
Audiovisual Producer & Documentary Filmmaker | Storytelling and Impact Communication at Independent
January 1, 2005 - Present
Support organisations in translating complex topics—such as innovation, science and climate change—into clear, engaging and strategically aligned audiovisual narratives.
Audiovisual Producer & Documentary Filmmaker | Storytelling and Impact Communication at Free lance
January 1, 2005 - Present
I support organisations in translating complex topics—such as innovation, science and climate change—into clear, engaging and strategically aligned audiovisual narratives.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Film Directing at Universidad del Cine (FUC)
March 1, 1998 - July 1, 2002
The Bachelor’s Degree in Film Directing at Universidad del Cine (FUC) offers a 3.5-year program focused on comprehensive artistic creation and practical production. It prepares students to lead audiovisual projects for cinema, television, and streaming, emphasizing visual narrative, crew management, and the development of a unique authorial voice through hands-on experience. For more information, visit the official Universidad del Cine website.
Bachelor's Degree in Film Direction (Director Cinematográfico) at Universidad del Cine (FUC)
March 1, 1998 - July 1, 2002
Bachelor's Degree in Film Direction (Director Cinematográfico) at Universidad del Cine (FUC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
March 1, 1998 - July 1, 2002
Bachelor's Degree in Film Direction (Director Cinematográfico) at Universidad del Cine (FUC)
March 1, 1998 - July 1, 2002
Bachelor's Degree in Film Direction (Director Cinematográfico) at Universidad del Cine (FUC)
March 1, 1998 - July 1, 2002

Qualifications

Avid, Premiere video editor and postproduction
February 1, 2002 - May 4, 2026
Expert in editing and post-production using Adobe Premiere Pro
Director cinematográfico
March 1, 1998 - July 1, 2002

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other, Government
    REEL 2026 Martin Balestrini (Andreas Bâtí)

    Over 15 years of experience delivering high-impact audiovisual content for EU-funded initiatives, corporate organizations, and public institutions.

    Known for a human-centred approach that transforms complex innovation, science, and
    climate data into clear, engaging visual narratives.

    Eyes of the Sky (Climate emergency · Community resilience · Territorial documentary) (Subt Spanish)

    Climate emergency · Community resilience · Territorial documentary

    Short Documentary

    Client / Project
    Eyes of the Sky, a project co-financed by the European Union.
    Implemented by Fundación Yetapá, Mayma and Ideas for Change, with the support of the Government of the Province of Corrientes, the National University of the Northeast, Fundación Rewilding Argentina and Iberá National Park.

    Context & Objective
    Eyes of the Sky addresses the wildfires that affected the Iberá wetlands in 2022 and 2023, one of the most critical environmental emergencies in the region.
    The documentary aims to give voice to local communities while highlighting both the severity of the losses and the collective resilience in the face of climate-related disasters.

    Audiovisual Contribution
    Through testimonies from residents, firefighters and local leaders, the film builds a sensitive, human-centred narrative that captures the emotional and territorial impact of the fires.
    The piece conveys the cultural, natural and symbolic value of the Iberá wetland, translating climate emergency into lived experience and collective memory.

    Role
    Producer · Script · Direction · Editing · Post-production
    (End-to-end audiovisual production)

    Year 2025

    Type of piece
    Short documentary

    Climate change · Community resilience · Biodiversity · EU-funded projects

    🔗
    🔗 https://www.fundacionyetapa.org/ojos-del-cielo

    Call to Action Video – Craft-my-Street

    European innovation · Climate adaptation · Coastal resilience · Participatory urban design

    Client / Consortium
    SCORE Project – Smart Control of Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities
    Funded by the European Union under Horizon 2020.
    In collaboration with Craft My Street and an international consortium of research institutions, municipalities and innovation partners across Europe.

    The Craft-my-Street digital tool was developed by the UCD Spatial Dynamics Lab (University College Dublin), who lead the participatory urban design component of the project.

    Context & Objective

    SCORE is a Horizon 2020 research initiative addressing climate adaptation in vulnerable European coastal territories. As rising sea levels, flooding and extreme weather events increasingly affect coastal cities, the project explores integrated resilience strategies combining technology, ecosystem-based solutions and citizen participation.

    This video was conceived as a call to action, introducing Craft-my-Street — a gamified urban design platform built within Minecraft — as a participatory tool that enables young people to actively contribute to the design of more resilient cities.

    The piece positions climate adaptation not only as a technical challenge, but as a collective societal responsibility involving researchers, policymakers and local communities.

    Audiovisual Contribution

    The video presents Craft-my-Street as an innovative co-design methodology developed by the UCD Spatial Dynamics Lab.
     A gamified urban design experience in Minecraft, enabling young people to co-create more climate-resilient cities.

    Through a dedicated Minecraft server, young participants build and redesign real urban locations — such as O’Connell Bridge or the GPO in Dublin — within a virtual replica of the city.
    By claiming plots, proposing improvements and engaging in collaborative challenges, they become co-creators of more sustainable and climate-resilient urban environments.

    The video translates this research framework into an accessible and engaging narrative, demonstrating how gameplay becomes structured data and meaningful input for urban resilience planning.

    Role
    Direction and full audiovisual production: narrative concept, call-to-action structure, visual storytelling, editing and final delivery.

    Type of piece
    Research project call-to-action video

    OPERANDUM – Project Trailer-call to action

    EU-funded research project · Climate adaptation

    Project trailer for OPERANDUM, an EU-funded initiative addressing climate change adaptation in vulnerable territories.

    The teaser introduces the project’s scope, challenges and innovation framework, translating scientific research into an accessible and engaging audiovisual narrative.

    Purpose of the call to action

    This video is a call to action for the local communities in Dublin (Ireland). With 52km of coastline, three major rivers, and a city centre largely reclaimed from the sea, flooding is the most significant climate change risk facing Dublin.

    Sea levels are projected to rise by 3-4mm a year internationally, in Dublin Bay they have already risen by 6-7mm annually in the last 20 years.

    We are launching a citizen science initiative to collect more data on weather at a hyperlocal level to inform better models and policies.

    We will then engage the local communities in the codesign of nature based solutions to mitigate flood risk in the city.

    https://www.operandum-project.eu/

    Portfolio 2026 / Video editor, Audiovisual Producer & Documentary Filmmaker
    Video editor, Audiovisual Producer & Documentary Filmmaker: https://vimeo.com/showcase/12111272 Martín Balestrini is an audiovisual producer and documentary filmmaker with over ten years of experience creating visual narratives for social impact, institutional communication and innovation-driven projects. Throughout the last decade, he has developed and produced audiovisual content for European-funded initiatives, public institutions, foundations, universities and corporate actors, translating complex ideas into clear, human-centred and accessible stories. His work spans institutional films, short documentaries and project presentation videos, often within multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder contexts, where audiovisual storytelling plays a key role in communication, dissemination and engagement. Areas of focus: His portfolio covers a wide range of sectors, including: Science and technology - Citizen science - Sustainable and rural tourism - Biodiversity and nature conservation -Climate change and environmental awareness. Across all these fields, his approach remains consistent: documentary-inspired storytelling, close attention to people and territories, and a strong alignment with the values and objectives of institutional and publicly funded projects. Approach: Martín works end-to-end on his productions, from narrative concept and direction to filming and editing, ensuring coherence between content, context and impact. His audiovisual language prioritises clarity, authenticity and social relevance over purely aesthetic or promotional formats. Portfolio Introduction: This portfolio is organised into three complementary levels that reflect different scales and functions of audiovisual storytelling, all grounded in a human-centred and authentic approach. Selected Projects present key works developed for EU-funded initiatives, institutions, foundations and corporate partners, translating complex topics into clear and accessible narratives. Series & Long-Term Collaborations showcase ongoing formats and sustained collaborations, highlighting continuity, scalability and audiovisual storytelling as a strategic communication tool. Trailers & Project Teasers bring together short-form pieces designed to introduce documentaries and complex projects through synthesis, focus and narrative clarity. ¡