Marcelese Cooper

Biography

Marcelese Cooper is an artist, filmmaker, and educator originally from Santa Clarita, California. Their work moves between animation, documentary, and experimental video, often exploring identity, community, and Black narrative through collaborative storytelling. Drawing influence from dream logic, science fiction, and surreal art house cinema, Cooper’s films frequently combine speculative imagery with documentary impulses.

Cooper is currently a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Film and Media Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh. Their recent work includes community-centered animation and hybrid documentary projects that bring together multiple artists to translate personal and collective stories into moving image.