Elias Noel Almeda is a New York City–raised writer and director whose work blends horror, surrealism, and human vulnerability. After training as an actor at the William Esper Studio and working on productions like Friends with Benefits (2011) and Step Up 3D (2010), he transitioned into filmmaking, directing shorts including The Overpass (2013) and Tobi in Flight (2021). He is the founder of Polyphony Films and is currently developing his feature debut.