Biography

Gabriela "Gabi" Coronel (born July 7, 2003) is an American film director, photographer, and visual artist. Known for her evocative storytelling and striking visual style, she has earned recognition for her narrative and photographic work that explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and intimacy. A recent graduate in Film, Photography, and Visual Arts major from Ithaca College, with a minor in Art History, Coronel has developed a multidisciplinary approach to her craft, blending cinematic narrative techniques with fine art influences. Coronel made her solo directorial debut with her short film In The Flowers (2023), a dramatic romance that explores self-acceptance and the pursuit of happiness. She wrote, directed, and co-produced the film, which was praised at The Nyack Internationall Film Festival 2025. In 2025, she completed her senior thesis film, Plump, serving as director, writer, associate producer, and assistant editor. Her work draws inspiration from contemporary experimental video art and feminist theory, with influences from artists such as Laurie Anderson and Cecelia Condit. In addition to filmmaking, Coronel is an accomplished photographer whose work includes portraits, event coverage, and conceptual imagery. Her images have been published in magazines and used in campus-wide promotions. She is also now an alumni member of Delta Kappa Alpha, the national, gender-inclusive, professional cinematic society. Through both film and photography, Coronel aims to create meaningful, emotionally charged work that challenges perceptions of identity.