Hi! My name is Estefania Acosta Monges but I'm better known as "Tefo". I was born in Asunción, Paraguay, on October 27, 1995. I lived my early childhood in Filadelfia (Chaco), where my parents discovered my dexterity for the visual arts from an very early age, and as soon as we came back to Asunción they enrolled me in the National Academy of Fine Arts. Later on, I also studied at the Japanese-Paraguayan Center and for a brief period of time at the Porfirio Busto Cultural Center aswell. There, I studied drawing, painting, and origami art.
I finished my primary and secondary school studies at the Colegio Bautista de Villa Morra and specialized in the Technical Baccalaureate in Business Administration. While in school, I was especially dedicated to my studies but also became very passionate about sports and art.
In my spare time the thing I enjoyed the most was making small skits with my sister recording on my mother's Nokia 6600, and making animated short films drawing frame by frame in Paint and then putting it together in Windows Movie Maker. It was surely an escape from the stress of school and eventually became what drove me to pursue a career in filmmaking and audiovisual.
As soon as I started the first semester of college at the Pacific University of Paraguay, I got a job as a Production Assistant in the Paraguayan film Luna de Cigarras.
After that, I began working independently in the audiovisual industry, participating in numerous commercial spots for important multinational brands. I participated in the production of three national full-length films and directed and edited music videos for renowned Paraguayan artists.
After that, I began working independently in the audiovisual industry, participating in numerous commercial spots for important multinational brands. I participated in the production of three national full-length films and directed and edited music videos for renowned Paraguayan artists.
After having accumulated some experience in the film industry, I decided to make my first short film "El Mejor Insulto", which was granted two awards at the "Ta'anga Kyre'y Contest" of the International Festival of Cinema, Art, and Culture of Paraguay.
My next short film "La Prueba" was a collaboration with my friend Celia Cabral, which today accumulates more than 2 million views on YouTube.
My next short film "La Prueba" was a collaboration with my friend Celia Cabral, which today accumulates more than 2 million views on YouTube.
In 2019 I Started working at the Production Company "Picante", where I got to collaborate in two more films, "Orsai" and "Matar a un muerto", working in the color grading and editing department. Then, I finished my studies at the Columbia University of Paraguay, obtaining in 2021 a bachelor's degree in cinematography specializing in screenwriting.
In July 2022 I had the amazing opportunity to go to France for the Character Animation Summer School at GOBELINS, Paris. In the period of two weeks, I not only met talented young animators from all over the world, I also participated in workshops and talks given by world-renowned professionals such as: Yoshimichi Tamura, Samy Fecih and John Coven.
In 2023 I started teaching Storyboard and Screenwriting at the Columbia University of Paraguay, while also working full time as Conent and Audiovisual Manager in the Marketing and Communications deparmet at the Columbia University of Paraguay.
Recently, I started working for the CONMEBOL Copa América USA 2024 as a Graphic Designer and Animator. After that, I plan on continuing to work in the film, art, animation, and music industries with hopes of encouraging the growth of paraguayan cinema and the development of artistic talent in the country.
Thank you for stopping by.
Stay creative :)