We are thrilled to announce the launch of our first-ever XOXO Videography Fellowship program! This initiative is part of the XOXO Downtown Austin campaign, which aims to bring Austinites and downtown back together through the lens of talented local videographers.
After an extensive selection process with some amazing applicants, allow us to introduce our three XOXO Videography Fellows for 2025:
- Jason Yu
- Hope Wager
- Madeline (Maddie) Abdalla
In addition to our fellows, we welcome our mentors, who will guide and support our fellows throughout the program:
- Carlos Nevarez
- Julián Fernández Garnik
We are so excited to start our work together!
About the Fellowship
The XOXO Videography Fellowship Program is an XOXO Downtown Austin campaign initiative aiming to empower videographers. This fellowship celebrates the unique perspectives that make our city vibrant and welcoming. Through the campaign, we aim to create a sense of belonging and empower our community to build an authentic, connected Downtown Austin.
The XOXO Videography Fellowship runs throughout the spring, from March to June to produce high-quality videos of Downtown Austin icons for the XOXO Downtown Austin campaign. Fellows receive a stipend, shooting, editing and check-in sessions with their mentors and the Downtown Austin Alliance team while growing their network and elevating their expertise.
Meet the 2025 Spring Fellows
Jason Yu
Instagram Handle: @JasonYu_Photos
Website: yujason.com
Bio: Hi, I’m Jason! I’m a 2024 University of Texas alumni with a passion for visual arts, photography, and cinematography. I began my journey in photography in early 2023. With a newly found love for artistic and creative expression, I hope to explore the world and capture its moments inspired by art and cinema.
Experience: My videography experience is self-taught and I practice whenever I make food! Camera operation (primarily from photography), Shooting in LOG profile, Minor experience in gaffing, Experienced in controlling and shaping light using diffusers, reflectors, flags, and gels to achieve mood and tone, Minor experience using light meters (incident and reflective), Editing in DaVinci Resolve, Colorgrading, Minor experience in developing shot lists, storyboards, and visual concepts.
Hope Wager
Instagram Handle: @HopefullyImFunny
Website: hopewager.com
Bio: Born in Nebraska and raised everywhere but there, Hope grew up seeing a little bit of a lot of places. Since moving to Texas, Hope has experimented with her creative process, drawing from documentary and experimental filmmaking in addition to traditional narrative styles. She tailors her approach and visual style to the individual needs of each project, bringing every story to life in personalized and unique ways. She has an MFA in Film Production from the University of Texas at Austin.
Experience: The bulk of my camera experience is on passion projects, short films, and music videos, also occasionally working for events. A number of these are my own personal projects while others are projects I was hired on as a videographer or cinematographer. I’ve also worked in film in varying capacities since moving to Austin eight years ago, including non-camera roles such as lighting, production design, and locations. While filming is my passion and pursuit, I think seeing the world from all sides only makes me a better-rounded videographer.
Maddie Abdalla
Instagram Handle: @AllTheMads
Website: maddiecabdalla.myportfolio.com
Bio: Maddie is an Austin-based filmmaker with over 6 years of experience in the industry with a Radio-Television-Film degree from the University of Texas at Austin. With an emphasis on documentary filmmaking, she has worked with organizations such as the National Parks Service and Texas Parks & Wildlife. Currently, Maddie works as a video for an Austin-based documentary production company and can’t wait to start the XOXO Downtown Austin Video Fellowship.
Experience: I started my journey as a filmmaker in 2016 creating personal short films with a DSLR camera. As my passion grew, my motivation to learn more techniques also flourished. This led me to many opportunities from working as a professional video editor for commercials and documentaries, filming promotional content for the National Parks Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife, and getting my bachelors degree for Radio-Televison-Film from the University of Texas at Austin. This degree helped me shape my style as well as give me the opportunities to film for magazines, professional companies, musical artists, and more. I currently have experience with a range of cameras including my personal mirrorless camera, the Sony a7iii. I also have RODE wireless Lav microphones, a cinema light, and stabilization.
Meet Our Mentors
Carlos Nevarez
Instagram Handle: @CarlosNevarezDP
Website: carlosnevarezportfolio.com
Bio: Carlos Nevarez is a 2024 University of Houston – Clear Lake Alumni. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, he moved to Houston, Texas, with his family at a young age. Growing up in the beautiful state of Texas, he always loved spending time outside capturing the outdoors. In high school, he made an award-winning short horror film, which really solidified his love for all things film and video. Since then, he has had the chance to work with really talented people and create some amazing work. When he is not working, he likes to spend his free time finding cool places to eat, watching movies, and going for long runs.
Experience: My experience in video started with my first short film in 2018, which took me to the UIL finals in The Paramount Theatre and Winner at the All American High School Film festival in NYC. From there, I landed a job as a Digital Media Specialist, where I got to create several video projects and hone my skills in Cinematography. I also have the privilege of filming weddings on weekends with my lovely fiancée. Additionally, I work full time with a video production company here in Austin. I absolutely love being behind the camera and creating unique visuals. I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities to explore and grow as a filmmaker.
Julián Fernández Garnik
Instagram Handle: @JulianFG.Mov
Website: julianfg.com
Bio: Julián Fernández Garnik is a Videographer from Carolina, Puerto Rico currently based out of Austin, TX. In the past few years, he’s had the chance of working with with clients like Adidas, Coachella, Zeiss, Fight Aesthetic, and Polaris Pro Jiu Jitsu. His projects have been awarded and screened at several international festivals, like the New York Latino Film Festival, the Phoenix Film Festival, and the the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival.
Experience: I’ve been working as a freelance Videographer for the past 7 years, first in New York City and for the last few years in Austin. During that time, I’ve filmed and edited a wide array of content for different clients, including cultural festivals, comedy shows, sports commercials, cooking shows, music performances, poetry readings, narrative films, documentaries, vlogs, political debates, gallery openings, and public service announcements.
Stay Tuned
We are excited to see the wonderful videos our fellows will produce and how they will showcase the heart and soul of our beloved downtown. Stay tuned for updates, works and glimpses into their creative journeys!