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Dominic Antonio Cerniglio

Director/Producer/Co-Writer

Dominic’s path to directing has been a long and winding road. From Himalayan mountain paths in Nepal to cave explorations along the Myanmar/ Thai border, and all the world in between, his life has been a series of steps training him for the challenges that face a film director.

Always passionate about books and film, he was mesmerized by story from his early childhood. He pursued this passion for story through college and in 1996 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from Sonoma State University. "I had no idea what practical application my background would have. I was a rebel. An adventurer. I had put myself through college as an auto mechanic and I had a degree in English Literature. I spent most of my childhood on the wrong side of the law. I had traveled the world, I fought constantly, I grew pot,… It was pretty crazy."

It turned out that it was the perfect training ground for directing films. In 2003 he turned his diverse and colorful background toward the goal of making movies. "I’ve always been very technically inclined which has turned out to be fairly handy for filmmaking. When I learned to harness my energy properly, I coupled my lifelong obsession with stories and drama with my technical and design abilities." He jokes, "So many years sneaking around the law as a criminal was perfect training for being a producer".

Dominic first heard "DUEL" as a staged reading at the Elephant Theater Company in Hollywood. "DUEL" had everything he loved about movies. Action… swords… blood… adventure. But most importantly, it was classic tragedy full of raw emotion and passion. He talked to Matthew Rimmer about making it into a short film and "DUEL" the movie was officially born.

Dominic has a keen understanding of the dramatic process and an innate ability to make it work. "Making this film has been the best experience of my life. The diversity and hardship I experienced in my past was the very thing that allowed me to excel when I reached this position. For the first time in any endeavor all my skills were challenged on all fronts at the same time. From writing, to set construction, to costume, to camera, to actors, to arranging all the myriad little details that make up a production. With film, it all happens simultaneously, like a war, and you are looked to to lead the production through to the end and hold it together. It was beautiful. Helming "DUEL" was the first time that I have ever felt like I am truly doing what I was intended to do with my life."