Eugenia Rentería-Vargas
Owner & Lead Producer
Eugenia Renteria is an award-winning Mexican filmmaker whose work explores identity, culture, and social justice. She was selected as a mentee in the PBS Ignite Mentorship and as an inaugural fellow of the Cine Se Puede Fellowship, and she received the 2024 Nexties Award for Visual Artist of the Year. Her directing credits include Amor en Cuarentena, Strawberry Picker, Tierra Fértil, Fake It ‘Till You Make It, and a PBS Sound Field episode on Sierreño music, which was nominated for the 36th Image Awards. Her films have screened at the Mill Valley Film Festival, New York Latino Film Festival, San Diego Latino Film Festival, ShortsMexico, and numerous others. She is a two-time winner of the New York Latino Film Festival’s Best Futuro Web Series Award. Eugenia is the founder of Inspira Studios and a proud alumna of Cal State Monterey Bay.
Karolina Esqueda
Producer
Karolina Esqueda is a director, producer, and visual artist from Tijuana, Mexico. Her narrative and documentary work is infused with joyful play and experimentation, and she enjoys exploring the liminal space between science and art in storytelling. She worked with the non-profit organization BAVC Media (pronounced Bay-Vack), which provides underserved communities access to emerging media technologies. She continues working for the Latino Film Institute's Youth Cinema Project, teaching filmmaking to 4th and 5th graders. She is a graduate student at USC's Film & TV Production Program, where she has served as the Annenberg Fellow in Diversity, working with the SCA Council in Diversity and Inclusion. Lastly, she is a proud member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia and the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective.
Carlos Campos
Producer and Cinematographer
Carlos Campos is a filmmaker and photographer born and raised in Watsonville, California. He attended CSU Fresno, obtaining a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism with an emphasis in Multimedia. He later attended UC Santa Cruz, obtaining a Master's in Fine Art from the Social Documentation program. Carlos is not only a storyteller but also a dedicated advocate for his community’s voice. His work has been showcased at The Broadcast Education Association, Watsonville Film Festival, and New York Latino Film Festival. He was an inaugural fellow for the Watsonville Film Festival’s Cine Se Puede Fellowship.
Alvaro Resendiz
Editor
Alvaro is a filmmaker and editor born and raised in Seaside, California. He attended Cal State Monterey Bay, where he earned his B.A in Cinematic Arts & Technology. Alvaro has worked on various short films and even a web series. His most successful film, “Por El Amor Al Futbol,” has been showcased in many film festivals, including the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival and the Dallas Shorts International Film Festival.
Paco Serrano
Collaborator
Paco is a post-producer and editor from Mexico City. He graduated from Universidad del Valle de México with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences. He worked in post-production agencies in México, editing and delivering advertising pieces for clients such as Siemens, Audi, Herdez, and Bimbo. Paco also developed a love for photography. Beyond his expertise in post-production, Paco has cultivated a love for photography, further enriching his understanding of visual aesthetics and narrative composition.
Samantha Cruz
Collaborator
Samantha is a Digital Marketing Creator who graduated from Universidad del Valle de México in Mexico City with a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences. She has worked in advertising agencies, TV and film production companies, and audio studios. She has also developed Social Media digital marketing strategies for international accounts such as Sigma Foodservice, Fonda, Diageo, Amazon Prime, and local businesses in Mexico City and the U.S.
Miguel A. Silva
Collaborator
Miguel graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay, with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinematic Arts & Technology. He also graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Business Translation and earned his Master’s at San Jose State University. Miguel is currently an educator and translator.
Maria Cano-Bonner
Collaborator
Maria is a filmmaker and educator, born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico. She moved to California in 2003. Maria graduated from the Art Institute of California-Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Film and Video Production. Maria's work has been featured at the Crocker Art Museum, Good Day Sacramento, Mission Cultura, Watsonville Film Festival, CineFestival San Antonio, and the New York Latino Film Festival. Through filmmaking, Maria wants to shine a light on her community’s stories and struggles. And through education, she hopes to guide and inspire the next generation of storytellers.