Joni Gutierrez, Ph.D.
Film & Media Studies | AI Cinema & Synthetic Media | Cinematic Realism
Seattle, Washington | Email Joni Gutierrez | Professional website
Earlier publications appear under Jose Gutierrez III.
Research Areas
Cinematic realism and film theory; AI cinema and generative moving images; media authorship and creative labor; media production and industry transformation; critical and practice-based media research; film history; Philippine and Asian cinemas; human–AI collaboration; responsible AI and digital accessibility.
Education
Ph.D., Communication & Film — Hong Kong Baptist University, Academy of Film, Hong Kong | 2018
• Dissertation: “Investigating Kracauerian Cinematic Realism through Film Practice and Criticism: Life-world Series (2017) and Selected Films of Lino Brocka.”
• Principal supervisor: Prof. Ian Aitken.
M.A., Film & Media Studies — University of the Philippines–Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines | 2008
• Thesis: “Images of the Mother in Lino Brocka Films: 1970–1991.” Adviser: Prof. Nicanor G. Tiongson.
B.A., Psychology, cum laude — University of the Philippines–Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines | 2001
Academic & Professional Appointments
Accessible Technology Specialist — Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, Washington | Dec. 2024–Present
• Lead institutional digital accessibility strategy, technology review, faculty development, and compliance readiness.
• Advise faculty and leadership on emerging technology, responsible AI integration, digital pedagogy, and accessible learning.
• Co-Chair, Campus Digital Accessibility Workgroup, helping lead institution-wide digital accessibility initiatives and coordination.
Co-Chair, eLearning Council AI Task Force — Washington State Community and Technical College System | Mar. 2025–Oct. 2026
• Co-led a statewide initiative serving 34 community and technical colleges; co-developed AI Essentials in Education (AI-Ed), an AI literacy course.
Instructor, Continuing Education — Bellevue College, Bellevue, Washington | 2018; 2026–Present
• Courses/workshops: AI Filmmaking and Creative Video Generation; Generative AI: Practical and Ethical Use; Black-and-White Photography.
Founder & Director — CHAIRES: Center for Human–AI Research, Ethics, and Studies | 2025–Present
• Lead interdisciplinary research, public scholarship, and open teaching resources in media, creativity, AI ethics, and human–AI collaboration.
Principal Strategist — Dr Joni Multimedia, LLC, Washington | 2020–Present
Digital Equity Technology Specialist — Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington, Seattle | May 2023–July 2024
Assistant Professor of Film & Media Studies (Tenured) — University of the Philippines Film Institute, Quezon City | Nov. 2010–May 2018
• On approved doctoral study leave, Sept. 2013–Aug. 2017; taught film theory, history, criticism, methods, directing, documentary and experimental production.
• Contributed to curriculum planning, shared governance, academic quality, accreditation, hiring, and faculty mentoring.
Film Lecturer — Academy of Film, Hong Kong Baptist University | Oct.–Dec. 2016
Research & Teaching Assistant — School of Communication and Academy of Film, Hong Kong Baptist University | 2013–2016
Senior Lecturer of Film — University of the Philippines Film Institute | Nov. 2009–Oct. 2010
Assistant Professor, Communication and Media Studies — San Beda College–Alabang | June–Oct. 2008
Lecturer, Multimedia Arts — De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde | May 2007–Sept. 2008
Instructor, Communication Arts — Philippine Women’s University | June–Dec. 2006
Lecturer, Communication Arts — Angelicum College | June–Oct. 2009
Lecturer, Psychology — Ateneo de Manila University; University of the City of Manila; De La Salle University–Manila | 2003–2004
Major Research Program: AI Cinematic Realism (AICR)
Creator of a critical, pedagogical, and practice-based framework examining cinematic meaning, realism, authorship, and accountability when moving images are synthesized rather than photographically recorded. The research extends earlier work in Kracauerian realism and creative film practice, developing a vocabulary for perceptual, environmental, and authorial dimensions of generative cinema.
• AI Cinematic Realism, 2nd ed. (2026); framework synthesis, production manual, evaluation rubric, and open thirteen-week syllabus.
• “From Cinematic Realism to AI Cinema: A Research Agenda for the Post-Camera Era” (Sept. 2026): historical, aesthetic, authorial, and practice-based research directions.
• AI Cinema Lab (2025–present): numbered practice-based studies testing creative intention, synthesis, continuity, and human judgment in AI filmmaking.
• Study 33, First Lesson (2026): 57-second, eight-shot AI film created for and screened in a Bellevue College workshop, accompanied by a detailed account of the production and analytical process.
Publications
Books
Gutierrez, Joni. 2026. AI Cinematic Realism. 2nd ed.
Gutierrez, Joni. 2025. AEIOU Ethos: A Framework for Responsible AI.
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2013. Images of the Mother in Lino Brocka Films. Manila: Vee Press. ISBN 978-971-97-0463-8.
Book Chapter
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2020. “Cinematic Contemplation Online: The Art and Philosophy of Life-world Series (2017).” In Reconceptualizing the Digital Humanities in Asia, edited by Kaby Wing-Sze Kung, 31–52. Singapore: Springer.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles and Reviews
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2017. “The Realist Cinema of Lino Brocka.” Plaridel: A Philippine Journal of Communication, Media, and Society 14 (2): 169–178.
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2016. “Lukács, Kracauer, and Lino Brocka’s Manila in the Claws of Light (1975).” Plaridel 13 (2).
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2015. “Representations and Discourses in Internet Comedy.” Plaridel 12 (1): 233–240.
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2015. “Animation and Realism: A Review of RPG Metanoia (2010).” Plaridel 12 (1): 241–251.
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2014. “New Objectivity: A Review of Fritz Lang’s M (1931).” Plaridel 11 (2): 222–227.
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2012. “Filipino Indie by Way of Southeast Asian Independent Cinema.” Plaridel 9 (2): 97–104.
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2011. “For the Youth: Pursuing Sustainability in Filipino Indie Filmmaking.” Plaridel 8 (2): 53–70.
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2009. “Images of the Mother in Lino Brocka Films: 1970–1991.” Plaridel 6 (2): 107–126.
Encyclopedia Entry
Gutierrez, Jose III. 2013. “Philippines, Migration, 1948 to Present.” In The Encyclopedia of Global Human Migration, edited by Immanuel Ness. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. doi:10.1002/9781444351071.wbeghm412.
Selected Current Public Scholarship and Open Educational Resources
“Study 33, First Lesson: An Experiment in AI Cinematic Realism (AICR)” (2026).
“From Cinematic Realism to AI Cinema: A Research Agenda for the Post-Camera Era” (2026).
“Teaching Film, Media, and AI: A Philosophy of Critical Inquiry, Judgment, and Authorship” (2026).
“AI Cinematic Realism (AICR): The Framework in Full” (2026).
“AI Cinematic Realism (AICR) Production Manual” (2026).
“A 40-Point Rubric for Evaluating AI Cinematic Realism” (2026).
“Teaching AI Cinematic Realism (AICR): An Open Syllabus” (2026).
Teaching Experience & Curriculum
University of the Philippines Film Institute
Courses taught: Introduction to Film; History of Philippine Cinema; History of World Cinema; National Cinemas; Film Genres; Narrative Film; Experimental Film; Directing; Advanced Documentary Film Production; Historical and Critical Research Methods in Film; Art of Film (General Education); Philippine Film Appreciation (General Education); Media Literacy; Communication and Media Theories.
Hong Kong Baptist University
Instructor, FILM2017 – Introduction to Moving Image and Sound (2016). Teaching assistantships: Introduction to Film and Media Arts; Studies in German Cinema; Studies in French Cinema; Film History; Communication Research Methods (2013–2016).
Bellevue College Continuing Education
AI Filmmaking and Creative Video Generation (2026); Generative AI: Practical and Ethical Use (2026); Black-and-White Photography, Digital Photography Certificate Program (2018).
Selected Curriculum Development
• Co-developed AI Essentials in Education (AI-Ed), statewide AI literacy course for Washington’s community and technical colleges (2025).
• Created Teaching AI Cinematic Realism (AICR): An Open Syllabus, a thirteen-week open course connecting film theory, synthetic moving images, authorship, ethics, and critical making (2026).
Selected Conference Presentations
2026. “Pattern Generation Is Not Creativity: What Film Education Teaches Us About Student Authorship in an AI Age.” AI+OER Institute, Clover Park Technical College, Washington.
2017. “Phenomenalist-realist Film Aesthetics in Life-world Series.” The Poetics of Asian Cinemas Conference, Asian Cinema Studies Society, Lancaster University, UK.
2016. “The Realist Cinema of Lino Brocka.” Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS), Atlanta, USA.
2016. “Imaging the Umbrella Movement via Kracauerian Cinematic Realism.” International Communication Association, Fukuoka, Japan.
2016. “Tapping into the Life-world through Online Cinema and Photography: A Case Study of Life-world Series.” Asian Congress for Media and Communication, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
2016. “Tapping into the Life-world through Online Cinema and Photography: A Case Study of Joni Gutierrez’s Hong Kong Series.” Research Institute for Digital Culture and Humanities, Open University of Hong Kong.
2015. “Animation and Realism: A Review of RPG Metanoia (2010).” Research Institute for Digital Culture and Humanities, Open University of Hong Kong.
2015. “The ‘Brocka Film’: Conventions of Melodrama and Realities in Martial Law-Era Philippines.” International Postgraduate Conference, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
2015. “Animation and Realism: A Close Reading of RPG Metanoia (2010).” Situations: Cultural Studies in the Asian Context Conference, Hong Kong Baptist University.
2014. “The Social Realist Cinema of Lino Brocka.” Global Symposium on Social Sciences, Phuket, Thailand.
2014. “Representations and Discourses in Internet Comedy: 9gag.com.” Communication University of China, Beijing.
2014. “Intuitionist Realism and Phenomenology in the Cinema of Lino Brocka.” Asian Congress for Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong.
2013. “Independent Documentary Film in the Philippines.” Documentary Film in South and South-East Asia Conference, Hong Kong Baptist University.
2012. “Representations and Discourses in Internet Comedy: 9gag.com.” Asian Congress for Media and Communication, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.
2010. “Images of the Mother in Lino Brocka Films: 1970–1991.” Society for Cinema and Media Studies, Los Angeles, USA.
Selected Invited Talks, Keynotes & Workshops
2026. “AI Filmmaking and Creative Video Generation.” Bellevue College Continuing Education.
2026. “Keynote – Eight Essential Principles for Human-Centered Learning in the Age of AI.” Beyond the Bot, The Evergreen State College.
2026. “Synthetic Video, Real Responsibility: Ethical AI Video Generation for Communication, Design, and Creative Work.” Tacoma Community College.
2026. “Human-Centered Learning in the Age of AI: Eight Essential Principles.” ATL + WACC.
2026. “Human-A.I. Collaboration: Creativity, Ethics, and Everyday Intelligence.” Whatcom Community College.
2026. “Human-Centered Learning in the Age of AI: Eight Essential Principles.” Faculty Developers Community of Practice Convening, Seattle.
2026. “Digital Accessibility Leadership Winter Camp.” Tacoma Community College, five-part series.
2025. “AI in Admissions & Registration — Promise, Risks, and a Way Forward.” Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
2025. “Plenary – Why Digital Accessibility Matters.” Tacoma Community College.
2025. “Ethical AI Frameworks: Equity-in-Action Workshop.” Tacoma Community College.
2025. “Equity and AI in Higher Education.” Washington State eLearning Council AI Task Force.
2023. “Keynote – Cognitive Allies: Complementing Research Skills with AI.” ANPOR–APCA Annual Conference.
Creative Research, Screenings & Exhibitions
AI Cinema Lab (2025–present): ongoing practice-based studies investigating AI-generated moving images through the AICR framework.
First Lesson / Study 33 (2026): 57-second generative film, developed for a Bellevue College AI filmmaking workshop, with accompanying reflective production research.
Life-world Series (2017, 118 min.): ten-film omnibus and practice-based doctoral research; presented as a multi-screen video installation at ASEANnale, Philippines (2018); screenings/seminars at Hong Kong Baptist University and University of the Philippines Film Institute (2017).
Home for Now (2016): collection of 60 Hong Kong photographs; exhibited at Hong Kong Baptist University Library and Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong (2016) and Queen Elizabeth Stadium (2017).
Green (2013): screened at FACINE XX/bente: 20th Annual Filipino American Cine Festival, San Francisco.
Academic, Institutional & Professional Leadership
Washington State eLearning Council AI Task Force, Co-Chair (Mar. 2025–Oct. 2026): statewide governance, AI literacy, and interinstitutional collaboration across 34 colleges.
CHAIRES: Center for Human–AI Research, Ethics, and Studies, Founder & Director (2025–present): interdisciplinary research and public scholarship.
University of the Philippines Film Institute: faculty committees in shared governance, academic quality, curriculum, hiring, and accreditation.
Selected Fellowships, Certifications & Memberships
Fellow, Hong Kong Documentary Initiative, University of Hong Kong (2016).
Fellow, Cinema and Human Rights Workshop, Hong Kong (2016).
Fellow, Kritika National Workshop on Art and Cultural Criticism, Philippines (2014).
Canvas Certified Technical Admin (CCTA) (2026).
Canvas Certified Educator – Higher Education (2025).
Professional affiliations: Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS); International Communication Association (ICA); Asian Cinema Studies Society; Asian Congress for Media and Communication.
