Director, Aukai "El Casallas” Elkaslasy is a first generation American who graduated from Middlebury College with a double major in Political Science and Film and Media Studies with a minor in Luso-Hispanic Studies. 

Aukai's approach to film begins with a mutual commitment with his subject to tell their most authentic story together. His work reflects a worldview formed by years spent with family in the Caribbean, North Africa and Middle East. Experiences which highlight a great many things in contrast to his NYC upbringing. After graduating, Aukai launched his production company, On The Nose Productions and has been busy making films ever since. 

Aukai feels a responsibility to ask the tough questions and tell the complex stories. He begins each morning by reminding himself of a quote by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: "youthful moral clarity is not the same thing as naiveté" and Khalil Gibran: “You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts…” He believes there are no silly questions, welcomes curiosity and imagination in the workplace and understands the power of a well-told story.