Elliot V. Kotek

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Elliot V. Kotek is an Australian producer, filmmaker, lawyer, photographer, editor and writer. He co-founded Not Impossible Now and was its content chief, and he previously led the Not Impossible Foundation. He also started Beyond Cinema magazine, where he serves as editor-in-chief.

Education and training: Kotek earned a law degree and a Bachelor of Science in pharmacology and toxicology from Monash University. He moved to the United States in 2000, studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York, and completed UCLA’s Professional Program in Screenwriting.

Work and impact: Kotek has produced and executive-produced a wide range of socially focused films and campaigns. Notable projects include Black Boys (NBC Peacock Original, 2020), 140 (the first user-generated documentary), Queen Mimi (about an unhoused woman), Danica: Driven, and Little Miss Sumo (Netflix), plus 90291: Venice Unzipped. He helped bring Project Daniel, the first 3D-printed prosthetic lab in the Nuba Mountains, to life and showcase it at CES 2014. His work also includes My Special Aflac Duck for Aflac’s pediatric cancer initiative (award-winning and widely distributed), and Made Responsibly for New Balance (Emmy-nominated). He has contributed to other Not Impossible projects such as Don’s Voice, The Brainwriter and The Robot Walker, and directed the Qualcomm “Power of 9” series highlighting mobile technology for good.

Industry roles and recognition: Kotek has served on juries for numerous film festivals and has held corporate branding roles, including work for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. He has been on boards such as The Bahamas International Film Festival and The Giving Back Fund.

Photography and art: An exhibiting photographer, Kotek has had solo shows in Melbourne and group shows in California; his Polaroid work is included in the book Still Developing.

Ventilators and humanitarian work: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he founded VentLife.org and served as its executive director to help develop low-cost ventilators. He also remains active on advisory boards related to his humanitarian and media work.