AJ Vafiades

Abigael “AJ” Vafiades, 21, is a student at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. AJ was born to a single woman from India who was unable to keep her and was adopted by a Colorado couple soon after birth. In her YDA film, AJ explores closed adoptions through her own experience and the experiences of her peers who were able to meet their biological parents. The film, REAL MOM, raises questions about the definition of family and how individuals identify when connections to birth parents are unknown. AJ is also a performer and is currently pursuing a duel degree in both theatre and dance while at college.