Ana Defillo is an award-winning writer, producer, & community organizer. She survived her conservative, working-class Dominican upbringing through the steady radiation of her beloved 13-inch TV/VHS combo. Drawing from her unconventional (traumatic) life and neurodivergent mind, Ana writes comedy for its intended purpose: telling the truth. (kinda weird telling the truth is funny?)

Currently, she’s a 2025 Disability Belongs Fellow and member of Inevitable Foundation’s Elevate Collective, where she received The Loreen Arbus Foundation Award.

Ana sharpened her singular voice by studying sketch comedy, improv, & satire at the Upright Citizens Brigade, The People’s Improv Theater, & Second City while pursuing an M.S. in Global Affairs at NYU. (Yes, she’s heard of Del Close.)

In 2023, Ana was featured in MovieMaker Magazine as a Screenwriter to Watch after her satirical comedy pilot, Momentous, won in the Austin Film Festival’s screenwriting competition. Her screenwriting also earned her recognition as a recipient of the ’24 Disrupters Fellowship, ’23 Rideback Rise’s Circle & ’21 NHMC’s Series Scriptwriters Program. Her writing has been published in both print & digital publications, such as McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, & websites that no longer exist.

As a researcher & TV producer, Ana worked on Desus and Mero on Showtime, The Read on Fuse, & The Vote on PBS. Before TV, Ana paved her road to hell with good intentions as a Christian missionary, human rights graduate student, & nonprofit professional. You’ve reached the end of her bio.

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Disrupters 2024