DIRECTOR / CINEMATOGRAPHER / PRODUCER
RUBEN RODAS is an Award Winning Filmmaker based in NYC, with over 25 years of experience in the film, television, and photography industries, known for his sharp visual storytelling, meticulous attention to character, and ability to craft emotionally resonant narratives. His work spans multiple genres, but he is particularly celebrated for intimate, character-driven stories that balance heartfelt drama with visual sophistication.
His most recent micro-series, The Hit List, has garnered critical praise for its tight pacing, innovative narrative structure, and cinematic style. The series swept 18 Awards and other several accolades in the festival circuit, including Best Micro-Series and Best Thriller at the New York International Film Awards and Best Director at the Indie Short Fest in Los Angeles, Dreamers Film Festival and International Academy Arthouse. These honors underscore Rodas’s talent for creating high-impact storytelling on a lean production scale while maintaining strong artistic integrity.
His latest feature, What a Christmas Eve, continued this momentum, blending humor, romance, and human vulnerability into a holiday story with universal appeal. The film’s engaging performances, crisp dialogue, and warm yet cinematic visuals earned it multiple recognitions, including 3 Best Cinematography Awards at the New York Movie Awards, East Village Film Festival, and New York International Film Festival; additionally he got the Audience Choice Award at the Big Apple Film Festival and Best Director at the New York City Independent Film Festival. Critics have praised the film for its authentic tone and the way it captures the complexity of relationships during the holiday season.
Beyond his recent successes, his professional background includes extended experience as Director and Cinematographer of Narrative Films, Commercials , Music Videos , TV shows, Branded Content, and Documentaries; skills that inform his keen eye for framing, color, and visual storytelling. His approach to filmmaking is rooted in collaborative artistry, working closely with actors, writers, and crew to ensure every scene carries both emotional weight and cinematic precision.
His track record of delivering compelling, Award-Winning work on budget makes him a trusted creative partner for investors and collaborators alike. With a proven ability to connect with audiences and critics alike.
Born in Asuncion, Paraguay. In the year 2001 he was recognized for his award winning short film “Paper Airplanes.” Consequently, he was hired as Director and producer for TV shows and promos at the Telefuturo network; Ruben is also the recipient of various awards including best TV show of the year for “Menchi” in 2001. In 2003 he joined producer Joel Cabrera and created the TV production company “FOQUS DIGITAL” where he directed several commercials and documentaries for some of leading national networks. In 2004 he came on board as one of the producers for two nationally televised sitcom series developed for the Telefuturo network: “GvsB” and “Animo Juan.”
In 2005 he joined the crew of the feature film “Miami Vice,” as Location Manager for the South American team division. There, he worked closely in the location scouting with director “Michael Mann” and cinematographer "Dion Bebe". That same year Ruben attended the New York Film Academy.
As cinematographer he had attended/learned on master classes from "Caleb Deschannel", "Shane Hurlbut", and ”Sean Bobbitt”. Ruben has extended experience and the ability to shoot in any Film (Arriflex, Panavision) and/or Digital formats including ARRI ALEXA XT, Amira, Alexa Mini and LF, RED, Sony, BlackMagic, Panasonic and Canon Cinema series,
Ruben has directed and shot advertising campaigns and various content for high profile clients such as NBC Universal, HBO, ESPN, Definition6, Dimasimo Goldstein, Nate Burkus, Wild Child Content, L’Oreal, Taylor James, DOM360, Tuxedo, SunToyota, SteveWhite Volkswagen, TBC, Think Content, MTV, Montel Williams, Mario Testino, Cultnation, Psychology Today, Fairway, American Movie Co, Everlane, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Latin Vogue, US Vogue, Moves Magazine, Camp Shohola, Tibi, Handvaerk, Fidelity, Moonlight Brides, Adidas, H&M, CondeNast, GAP, NY&Co, Betterment, Sallie Mae, The Alliance, Beach Body, DoSomething.org, Humanscale, Spectrum NY1, Sally Beauty, Montecristi, Tommy Cooper, Diageo, Christie's, Illy, Samsung, Marli NYC, Fame&Partners, WeBeliervers, Groupon, Spectrum, WWD, Kate Spade NY, Madwell, Roberto Coin, Merrell, Kiss 5th Ave; Addison, Stryker, Aetrex, and Tigo Sports just to name a few.
Ruben is presently living and based in New York City where he continues developing his craft working as Director, Cinematographer, Producer and Photographer. His work has been showcased in many film festivals and recognized with awards.