Nahyr Galaz Ruiz is a multi-hyphenate filmmaker and choreographer whose work centers emotionally resonant, character-driven storytelling. She is the Founder and Creative Director of Fire & Ink Pictures and holds an M.F.A. in Producing, Screenwriting & Directing from Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. Her films and screenplays have earned recognition from festivals and competitions including Outstanding Screenplays, Big Break, and the Female Eye Film Festival. Nahyr brings a performance-forward, emotionally grounded lens to both her creative work and her role as a judge.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

What excites me most about judging for the Telly Awards is the opportunity to engage with a wide range of storytelling across formats, platforms, and voices. The Tellys honor both craft and innovation, and I appreciate their commitment to recognizing work that resonates culturally while maintaining strong execution. Being part of a judging body that values excellence across traditional and emerging media feels especially meaningful right now.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first professional industry role was at the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), where I worked in membership and program support. It taught me how the industry functions behind the scenes; from development and producing to advocacy and access. That experience gave me a strong foundation in both the creative and logistical realities of storytelling and community-building.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

I’m most proud of Platonic Love, a proof-of-concept short film that allowed me to explore intimacy, restraint, and emotional specificity through performance and tone. The project required a careful balance between what was said and what was withheld, trusting the audience to lean in. Seeing it premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre and connect with viewers affirmed my belief in character-driven storytelling and the power of subtlety.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

One of the most challenging aspects of the industry is sustaining creative momentum while navigating limited access, shifting systems, and constant uncertainty. Balancing artistry with the practical realities of financing, visibility, and opportunity can be demanding. That said, it has also taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of building community alongside craft.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

I always begin with character, whose story we’re being invited into, and whether that character feels fully realized, specific, and human. From there, I look for clarity of voice: a strong point of view that guides the writing, performance, and visual choices with intention. Performance, editing, and tone should be in conversation rather than competing for attention. Excellence, to me, is when craft disappears and the audience is fully immersed, emotionally or intellectually, in the story being told.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

I am a filmmaker working across writing, directing, producing, acting, and choreography, as well as the Founder and Creative Director of Fire & Ink Pictures. My responsibilities span development, creative leadership, and hands-on storytelling across multiple projects. What I love most about my work is collaborating with artists to shape stories that feel honest, human, and emotionally grounded; especially those that might not otherwise be centered.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

I’m currently developing multiple film and television projects through Fire & Ink Pictures, including Café con Magia and Té y Platiquitas, both of which recently advanced as Quarterfinalists in the Outstanding Screenplays Contest. I’m also continuing to build work that blends performance, intimacy, and cultural specificity across formats. Right now, I’m especially excited by projects that live at the intersection of craft, emotional resonance, and audience connection.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I return to character whenever I feel creatively stuck; asking questions about who this person is, what they want, and what they’re afraid of. Movement, journaling, and quiet observation are also essential parts of my process, allowing ideas to surface without forcing them. I’ve learned that creativity responds best to curiosity and presence rather than pressure.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

Storytelling has always been a way for me to make sense of identity, belonging, and the emotional worlds people carry. Dance was my first language as an artist; it taught me how to listen to rhythm, silence, and the body as narrative. As I grew into filmmaking, I became motivated to create character-driven stories that hold complexity, contradiction, and emotional truth, especially for voices that are often underrepresented. That desire to tell human stories across disciplines ultimately led me to this career path.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

A significant shift I’m seeing is the expansion of where and how meaningful storytelling can live; across platforms, formats, and lengths. While this has created more access, it has also increased noise and pressure to chase trends. My advice is to stay grounded in voice and character; work that is clear in its intention and emotionally honest tends to resonate, regardless of format.