I have professional expertise in architecture, graphic design, managing production, video editing, interiors, urban planning, graphic design, motion graphics, and audio-visual marketing. I thrive in collaborative, multilingual environments and enjoy turning ideas into compelling visual stories. I combine technical skills with a collaborative mindset to deliver thoughtful, engaging projects across film, architectural design, and digital media. Internationally experienced, I excel at managing diverse projects from concept to execution, integrating storytelling with design and innovative problem-solving. I enjoy mentoring teams, communicating clearly, and creating impactful content for education, retail, and nonprofit initiatives.

Leandro Cortez M.

I have professional expertise in architecture, graphic design, managing production, video editing, interiors, urban planning, graphic design, motion graphics, and audio-visual marketing. I thrive in collaborative, multilingual environments and enjoy turning ideas into compelling visual stories. I combine technical skills with a collaborative mindset to deliver thoughtful, engaging projects across film, architectural design, and digital media. Internationally experienced, I excel at managing diverse projects from concept to execution, integrating storytelling with design and innovative problem-solving. I enjoy mentoring teams, communicating clearly, and creating impactful content for education, retail, and nonprofit initiatives.

Available to hire

I have professional expertise in architecture, graphic design, managing production, video editing, interiors, urban planning, graphic design, motion graphics, and audio-visual marketing. I thrive in collaborative, multilingual environments and enjoy turning ideas into compelling visual stories. I combine technical skills with a collaborative mindset to deliver thoughtful, engaging projects across film, architectural design, and digital media.

Internationally experienced, I excel at managing diverse projects from concept to execution, integrating storytelling with design and innovative problem-solving. I enjoy mentoring teams, communicating clearly, and creating impactful content for education, retail, and nonprofit initiatives.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
French
Advanced
Portuguese
Beginner
Italian
Beginner

Work Experience

Founder, Writer/Director/Producer at Huitaca Films – Philadelphia, PA & Barcelona, Spain
April 9, 2020 - Present
Founded and led a film production company; wrote, directed, and produced two festival-nominated shorts Rituales and Architecture; managed the Huitaca Films website via WordPress; produced marketing materials to grow audience; achieved 50,000+ views on Instagram.
Architectural Designer at Greenovate Construction
August 8, 2015 - November 15, 2015
Architectural designer for multiple offices (Philadelphia and Kansas City). Designed construction documents for academic, retail, research, housing, and urban planning projects; contributed to client presentations and branding materials.
Marketing/Graphic Design - Remote at Red Tree Study
June 8, 2015 - November 13, 2015
Wrote blog entries, social media assets while producing images and a short video for YouTube promoting the company.
Video Editor & Graphic Designer at Proyección Films
June 10, 2015 - August 6, 2015
Designed backdrops for audiovisual projects. Investigated local architecture and developed presentation of cities that could substitute shooting locations in the United States. Translated and revised subtitles for the documentary “Aislados.”. Scouted locations matching screenplay descriptions and budget limits.
Intern Graphic Designer at IMAGE
August 19, 2013 - November 29, 2013
Organized press clippings, magazine artwork, and architecture festival content; prepared PDFs and marketing collateral for Italian architects and firms.
Volunteer at Near West Side Initiative
June 2, 2014 - October 17, 2014
Led pre-teens in conducting interviews with community members from the Syracuse Westside neighborhood. Developed video archive website to organize documentation of community stories.
Architect & Videographer at Community Design Collaborative
October 2, 2018 - May 17, 2025
Edited & filmed two video shorts documenting community meetings for an eight-week design education program. Worked with the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce to create tutorial videos and informational content for storefront improvement program. Documented summer teaching course with North Philly students regarding neighborhood design improvement. Served as videographer for organization events. Collaborated in the design of an African Cultural Boulevard in Philly's Northwest neighborhoods.
Designer at Nelson Worlwide
June 20, 2016 - October 26, 2018
Produced construction drawings, documents, renders, design proposals, and Revit models for clinics/hospitals in the Philadelphia area. Completed design schematics and construction drawings for Bank of America and Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago. Managed applications for Green Globes and NJ Clean Energy Program.
Architectural Designer at Wallace Robert and Todd
October 29, 2018 - March 11, 2020
Produced construction drawings of affordable housing units and academic buildings in NJ using Revit & AutoCAD. Collaborated with urban planners for design proposals in NJ & Philadelphia. Helped with construction administration of affordable housing units by completing submittals & RFIs.
Architectural Designer at Sanbar Design
August 6, 2023 - December 14, 2023
Produced 2d and 3d visualizations of design concepts through renders, construction drawings, and diagrams for a diversity of clients. The projects were mostly housing, co-working, and retail. Visualizations were produced for the design of a mix-use co-working space in North Philadelphia.
Graphic Designer/Video Editor at Mecal Factory
May 12, 2024 - November 8, 2024
Volunteer for the 26th annual International Short Film and Animation Film Festival. Collaborated with graphic designer in producing catalog, posters, and marketing material for the festival. Managed Mecal Factory webpage using Square Space. Produced online content using Photoshop. Used Adobe Premiere subtitle creation.
Director / Writer / Producer at Huitaca Films
January 1, 2020 - Present
Founder and lead filmmaker directing and producing two festival-nominated short films, Rituales and Arquitectura Design. Managed the Huitaca Films website using WordPress, created marketing materials and reels, and grew the brand's online presence with 50,000+ Instagram views.
Graphic Designer & Video Editor at Mecal Factory
June 1, 2024 - Present
Designed posters, catalogs, and digital content; edited and subtitled over twenty festival-nominated short films for the 26th International Short Film Festival catalog, contributing to festival promotion.
Architect / Video Designer at Community Design Collaborative
May 1, 2025 - September 11, 2025
Edited and filmed two video shorts documenting community meetings for an eight-week design education program; collaborated with the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce to create tutorial videos and informational content for storefront improvement programs.
Graphic Designer at Marketing Red Tree Study
October 1, 2015 - September 11, 2025
Produced graphic, written, and video promotional materials using various Adobe software for a London-based study abroad company.
Video Editor & Graphic Designer at Proyección Films
September 1, 2015 - September 11, 2025
Designed and edited audiovisual backdrops; scouted filming locations; translated and revised subtitles for the documentary Aisla dos, improving accessibility for international audiences.
Intern Graphic Designer at IMAGE - Florence
November 1, 2013 - September 11, 2025
Organized press clippings, magazine articles, and architecture festival content into PDFs for marketing; supported Italian architects and firms in promotional material.
Founder, Writer/Director/Producer at Huitaca Films
January 1, 2020 - Present
Founded Huitaca Films; directed and produced two festival-nominated short films, Rituales and Arquitectura; designed and managed the Huitaca Films website using WordPress; created marketing materials and reels to grow the brand’s online presence (50k+ views on Instagram).
Architect at Nelson Worldwide; Wallace Roberts & Todd; Sanbar Designs
January 1, 2015 - Present
Architect for multiple Philadelphia-area firms; produced construction documents for academic, retail, research, housing, and urban planning projects.
Architect at Greenovate Construction
January 1, 2018 - Present
Architect for Kansas City-based firm; contributed to urban development projects.
Graphic Designer & Video Editor at Mecal Factory
June 1, 2024 - Present
Graphic Designer & Video Editor for Mecal Factory, Barcelona, Spain; Summer 2024.
Video Editor & Graphic Designer at Proyección Films
August 1, 2015 - September 11, 2025
Video Editor & Graphic Designer for Proyección Films, Bogotá, Colombia; Summer 2015.
Founder, Writer/Director/Producer at Huitaca Films
January 1, 2020 - Present
Founder, Writer/Director/Producer. Directed and produced two festival-nominated short films, including Rituals and Architecture. Designed and managed the Huitaca Films website using WordPress. Created marketing materials, social media ads, and reels, growing the brand’s online presence to 50,000+ Instagram views.
Video Editor & Graphic Designer at Proyección Films
August 31, 2015 - September 11, 2025
Edited and designed visuals for documentary projects; translated and revised subtitles for the documentary A Isla Dos, improving accessibility for international audiences.
Graphic Designer & Video Editor at Mecal Factory
August 31, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Edited and subtitled more than twenty film festival entries; designed posters, catalogs, and digital content, contributing to the festival’s promotion.
Intern Graphic Designer at Image
December 1, 2013 - September 11, 2025
Organized press clippings, magazine articles, and architecture film festival content into PDFs for marketing.

Education

Masters in Film Direction at ES CAC (Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya)
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2023
Bachelor of Architecture with Minor in Geography at Syracuse University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015
Bachelor of Architecture at Syracuse University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015
Master in Film Direction at ESCAC (Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisual de Catalunya)
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2023
Bachelor of Architecture at Syracuse University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015
Master in Film Direction at ESCAC (Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya)
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2023
Bachelor of Architecture at Syracuse University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2015
Master in Film Direction at ESCAC (Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya)
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2023

Qualifications

I Belong Philly Award - Best Digital Art
January 11, 2030 - September 11, 2025
Masters in Film Direction - ES CAC
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2023
Syracuse Architecture Scholarship (Full Ride)
January 11, 2030 - September 11, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Real Estate & Construction, Other, Software & Internet