Arvelo initiated an original film movement known as Cine Átomo, focused on creating opportunities for young Latin American directors. The concept stems from the idea of producing uncommon, reflective, and humane movies with minimal and essential crew and production components. Based on a Cervantes short story, the first movie produced using the mechanics of this movement was Habana Havana (2004), directed by Arvelo. The film received a dozen international recognitions.

In 2015 Arvelo directed the stage and video artwork of the multimedia performance of Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, at the Hollywood Bowl, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and starring Bryce Dallas Howard. In 2010, Arvelo directed the stage portion of the multimedia Cantata Criolla, for the Los Angeles Philharmonic festival America and Americas, starring Helen Hunt, Erich Wildpret, and Édgar Ramírez.

Arvelo’s awarded Cyrano Fernández (2007) is an adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand’s classic play. Arvelo’s film preserves the essence of the love triangle, depicting it in the complex and breathtaking environment of a slum in Caracas. Cyrano Fernández premiered at the AFI Festival of Los Angeles.

His acclaimed documentary To Play and to Fight (2006), premiered at the AFI Festival, dives into the lives of several children in the Venezuelan Youth Orchestra (El Sistema) empowered by renowned classical music figures such as Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle and Gustavo Dudamel.