Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab 2025
Ana Maria Defillo
Ana Defillo is a Dominican-American writer, producer, & not a comedian. She escaped her conservative, working-class upbringing through the glow of her beloved 13-inch TV/VCR Combo. Drawing from her unconventional (traumatic) life and neurodivergent mind, Ana crafts absurd, surprising stories that challenge power and celebrate humanity through a singular (cranky) lens.
She developed her voice studying sketch comedy, improv, & satire at the Upright Citizens Brigade, The People’s Improv Theater, & Second City. So 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 prestigious 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, NYU political grad student, & nonprofit professional. Now she searches for truth in fiction.
