As a practicing filmmaker, video artist, and sculptor, Jonathan Riles strives to bend everyday art reality into something more memorable. Riles grew up in Appalachia Ohio, where he discovered his love for theatre. After to performing in various plays and musicals, Riles decided to take a more "behind the camera" approach to narrative storytelling, and recently earned his BFA in Film Production from Syracuse University. His films have screened internationally, and he is the founder and key animator of Shelluster Studios.

Director Statement

I came up with the story of The Amber Thief while I was daydreaming and sketching random characters in distinct situations. I found myself with a drawing a spider and a fly dining at a table together. The irony of that image was so captivating to me, and the plot was written with that main event in mind.