Miguel Umba's headshot: A man with dark hair, a beard, and a broad smile, wearing a rust-colored t-shirt, sitting against a teal background.

MY STORY

I’m an accomplished director and filmmaker with a background as an actor and performer.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia. I’ve led large-scale immersive productions and shaped powerful, emotionally driven stories across film, theatre, and live events. From award-winning shows like Rumble in the Jungle Rematch and Terminal 1 at Glastonbury, to international tours with Gecko Theatre, a decade with Secret Cinema, and collaborations with Les Enfants Terribles, Disney Imagineering, and Paramount Studios — I’ve built a creative practice that’s bold, collaborative, and constantly evolving.


I create work that connects people and champions diverse voices.

HOW I WORK

At the heart of my work is a passion for creativity, problem-solving, and connection.

I direct by creating spaces where creativity and collaboration thrive. Problem-solving fuels my imagination. I draw on my diverse background in filmmaking, Acting, Dance, theatre, and immersive work to bring together diverse teams and art forms to build something unique. I’m passionate about guiding teams with a clear vision while staying flexible to what emerges.

I lead with energy, clarity, and respect for everyone’s time, celebrating every contribution to deliver stories that resonate deeply.

Guiding principles

  • Creativity happens when people feel safe, seen, and excited to play. It thrives when everyone feels inspired and part of something meaningful. My work is rooted in fostering spaces where curiosity, instinct, and bold ideas, even the messy ones, are encouraged, and creativity begins to grow. With trust, purpose, and room for surprise, meaningful work takes shape. Once the heart of a project is clear, a strong vision follows. What comes next is full commitment, with passion, flexibility, and respect for the magic that can happen along the way, as long as it stays true to what we are aiming for.

  • Parameters spark my imagination. Whether it’s a creative block, a tight deadline, a limited budget, or a scene that is not landing, I love the thrill of problem-solving, dissecting the issue and finding solutions. Everything is possible, one way or another.

  • Working across film, theatre, and immersive worlds demands adaptability. Whether it is a tightly framed scene on camera or a large-scale live performance, the process calls for focus, fluidity, and the ability to pivot without losing direction. Over time, variety has become a key strength. I have learned to shift between styles, scales, and settings while staying rooted in the core of my practice: a deep commitment to shaping experiences that resonate, no matter the form they take.

  • With 18 years of professional experience, my rich background across film, theatre, carnival arts, and immersive performance allows me to blend art forms and draw from the best of each. My acting experience helps me understand performers deeply, while my specialism in movement brings precision and clarity to the work. As a migrant, working-class artist turned director, I centre my storytelling on diverse voices and strive to challenge stereotypes.

  • Every project starts with listening, envisioning, and bouncing ideas. What is achieved through collective effort is always greater than anything one person could do alone. I encourage a collaborative process from beginning to end. Whether in a circle or on set, I keep the process playful, purposeful, and people-centred, celebrating every contribution to fuel the work.

  • For me, leading requires both instinct and thorough preparation. When sharing the vision, I prepare carefully and turn ideas into clear visual tools. Then I bring collaborators on board with energy and clarity, ensuring everyone, from performers to tech teams, feels connected and excited. They are my first audience.

  • To me, the final piece and the creative process are one. When the process is enriching, the outcome carries power. Time given to a project is time taken from people’s lives, and that matters. That is what I always aim for.