NSU MBA Alumnus Receives 2020 Media Innovator Award and Best Healthcare Documentary Honor

As 2020 has brought significant challenges, Aaron M. Abelto, MBA’14 was able to overcome these hardships and create a feature film that has impacted the lives of individuals around the world.

On November 17, 2020, Abelto’s company, Able 2 Film Entertainment, officially released their documentary “The Power of Movement,” which was acquired by Entertainment Studios in Los Angeles, CA. This documentary is available on multiple streaming platforms and also won the Best Healthcare documentary for 2020 by the UK-based company, Corporate Vision.

Since the release, the NSU alumnus has been interviewed by many popular news sites like NBC, Deadline Hollywood, LRM Online, and more. He continues to make waves in the entertainment industry as a rising director and writer.

In addition to the documentary’s momentum, Abelto’s company was also awarded the 2020 Media Innovator Award from Corporate Vision. This award is based on the merit of the company and exemplifies the company’s innovation and skills within the industry.

Abelto created Able 2 Film Entertainment with his business partner, Rajesh D. Felix, after graduating from NSU in 2014. Fueled by a passion to dive into the entertainment industry, Abelto was able to use his business background to grow the company.

“I was studying for my MBA in 2014 with a concentration in International Business at the Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship; however, I’ve always had the bug for the entertainment industry since I was a kid,” said Abelto. “After graduation, I really wanted to follow my dream. Once I was an extra in a movie, I fell in love with the industry.”

After transitioning into a writer and director role, Abelto created the company’s first film, “I Before Thee,” which, fun fact, was filmed on the NSU campus.

Abelto reflects that his involvement at NSU pushed him in the right direction and opened many doors for him. He was able to combine his passion for the arts and business into one.

“Having your MBA helps because the entertainment industry is a business, and you need to treat is as such. All of my business professors added value to what I was doing,” said Abelto.

He explains that NSU had a big influence in his filmmaking career. As a student, he worked for SUTV Channel 96—Sharks United Television (SUTV), a student-run media outlet, and also got a job in digital media at the university.

“Even my academic advisor, Emilio Lorenzo, was one of the individuals who helped me with career planning. Being a student and employee was the best. I loved everything about it, and I loved going to working every day for NSU,” he continued.

One point that Abelto reiterated was to pursue something you enjoy and are passionate about. After graduating from NSU, besides pursuing his dream, another goal of his was to inspire others around him to do the same.

“I want to inspire as many people as I can. That was one of my key takeaways from NSU. If I can inspire at least one person then I’ve done my job,” he said. “My advice to NSU students would be to follow your dreams, utilize every aspect of life that you can, and use those tools to get to your goal. When it’s your passion, it’s not work.”

Reflecting on his professional career path so far, Abelto attributes his success to his colleagues and peers, as well as his network at NSU.

“My time at NSU was amazing, and it was fun. Being a student there really helped me grow as an adult. I use everything I learned there, even now. It shaped me into who I am today,” added Abelto. “NSU gave me the tools to succeed, and without them, none of this would have happened.”