Andre Silva

André Silva’s creative work spans experimental film, essay film, environmental documentary and animation. His projects explore relationships between human and more-than-human systems, with attention to ecology, perception, and the evolving role of technology in contemporary life. His environmentally focused films include "Tides," "Black River," and "8 Seconds at the Three Sisters," which examine landscape, duration, and embodied experience through hybrid documentary and essayistic approaches. Silva’s work has screened nationally and internationally and has received multiple awards for experimental and documentary filmmaking. He is a recipient of the North Carolina Artist Fellowship.
In addition to filmmaking, Silva develops Expanded Environmentalism, an interdisciplinary framework that connects ecological inquiry, speculative thinking, and moving-image practice. This work extends through ongoing research and informal writing published through expandedenvironmentalism.com.

Education

M.F.A. in Film & Video Production, University of Iowa
B.S. in Radio-Television-Film, University of Texas at Austin

Specialization in Teaching

André Silva's teaching experience includes 2D digital animation, environmental documentary, and alternative forms of filmmaking. He emphasizes process-driven exploration, interdisciplinary inquiry, and attention to form as a way of thinking through complex environmental and cultural systems

Research Interests

Silva’s creative work explores the intersection of moving-image practice, ecological inquiry, and speculative media. Through an interdisciplinary framework he calls expanded environmentalism, his research considers relationships between humans and the more-than-human world, as well as how film and animation shape the way we perceive and experience environments.

Working primarily with experimental and hybrid forms, Silva is interested in how time-based media can engage landscape, perception, and embodiment beyond traditional narrative structures. His projects often explore the continuum between humans, other life forms, and the technological systems through which contemporary experience is mediated.

More broadly, his work examines process-oriented and exploratory approaches to creativity. Drawing from both ecological observation and digital culture, Silva’s films and animations investigate how shifting environmental and media systems influence the ways we see, feel, and make meaning in the world.

Honors & Awards

Best Experimental Film: New Jersey Film Festival (2023)
Best Science Fiction Film: Mannheim Arts and Film Festival (2022)
Best Experimental Short: Arizona International Film Festival (2021)
Best Documentary Short: Longleaf Film Festival (2021)
Best Experimental: 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival (2020)
Gold Award for Experimental: University Film and Video Association (2020)
North Carolina Artist Fellowship Grant (2019)
Best Experimental: Oxford Film Festival (2016)
Jury’s Stellar Award for Experimental: Black Maria Film Festival (2015)
Best Experimental: River’s Edge Film Festival (2015)
Best Experimental (People’s Choice Award): Humboldt International Film Festival (2015)
Award of Merit: University Film and Video Association Conference (2015)
Best Social Documentary: Philadelphia Independent Film Festival (2012)
Grand Prize: Animation: Black Maria Film and Video Festival (2009)
Best Experimental Film/Video: Humboldt International Short Film Festival (2005)
Best Experimental Film/Video: Atlanta Underground Film Festival (2005)
Best Student Animation: SoDak Animation Festival (2009)
1st Prize: Des Moines Arts Center Film and Video Competition (2005)
Silver Award: Spotlight Film Awards (2015)
2nd Place: Aurora Picture Show: Extremely Short Shorts (2005)
2nd Prize: Juror's Citation: Black Maria Film & Video Festival (2003)
2nd Prize: Cinemaker International Festival (2002)
3rd Prize: Des Moines Art Center Film + Video + DVD Competition (2003)
Director’s Choice Award: Black Maria Film Festival (2021)
Jury Award for Creative Achievement: Arizona International Film Festival (2023)
Jury Award: Angelica Film Festival (2020)
Honorable Mention: Ann Arbor Film Festival (2006)
Pablo Koontz Experimental Award for Best Experimental Technique in a Film: Humboldt
International Film Festival (2015)
Juror’s Choice Award: Humboldt International Short Film Festival (2006)
Banana Slug Award for Surrealism: Humboldt Film Festival (2009)