Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Fuentes
Jacob , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Storytelling has always been at the core of who I am. Growing up in Puerto Rico, I was drawn to the way stories could capture emotion, explore identity, and bring people together. My passion for performance led me to acting, and eventually, I pursued a Master’s degree in Motion Picture and Television with a focus on acting. Through that experience, I realized that my love for storytelling extended beyond being in front of the camera—I wanted to shape narratives from behind it as well.
I began writing and directing my own projects, focusing on themes of love, identity, and the emotional complexities that define us. My films often center on characters navigating deep, personal conflicts—moments that feel real, raw, and undeniably human. Through this journey, I’ve had the opportunity to create several short films that have been recognized in festivals, and each project has deepened my understanding of how to craft visually immersive and emotionally resonant stories.
Now, I’m bringing that passion to Three of Swords, a deeply personal and intimate film about love, longing, and the fluidity of relationships. This film is a culmination of my experiences—my love for nuanced storytelling, my dedication to LGBTQ+ representation, and my desire to tell stories that challenge conventional ideas of love and connection.
The journey here has been one of persistence, growth, and an unwavering belief in the power of storytelling. With Three of Swords, I’m excited to continue that journey, pushing boundaries and creating something that will resonate long after the credits roll.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has been anything but smooth, but I think that’s what has made it all the more meaningful. Pursuing filmmaking, especially in the independent space, comes with constant challenges—financial limitations, finding the right collaborators, and the uphill battle of getting projects off the ground.
One of the biggest struggles has been navigating the industry as an independent filmmaker, particularly when telling queer stories that don’t fit into mainstream narratives. There’s always this push and pull between staying true to the story I want to tell and making it marketable enough to secure funding and festival recognition.
Another challenge has been balancing creative ambition with financial reality. Independent filmmaking requires resourcefulness, and there have been times when I’ve had to step into multiple roles—director, producer, fundraiser—just to make sure a project happens. This has been especially true with Three of Swords. Originally, we planned to shoot earlier this year, but to make sure we do the film justice, we had to push production to allow time for proper crowdfunding and securing the right locations. It’s frustrating to delay something you’re passionate about, but I know it’s the right choice to ensure the film reaches its full potential.
Despite these obstacles, every challenge has taught me something—about persistence, adaptability, and the importance of community. The struggles have only reinforced how much I love this work, and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. Three of Swords is a passion project in every sense, and no matter how tough the road gets, I know it’s a story worth telling.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a filmmaker, actor, and storyteller who specializes in intimate, character-driven narratives that explore love, identity, and the complexities of human connection. My work is deeply personal, often centering on queer relationships, emotional vulnerability, and the spaces between longing and self-discovery. I strive to create films that don’t just tell stories but allow audiences to feel them—to see themselves reflected in the moments of uncertainty, passion, and emotional reckoning that shape us as human beings.
What sets me apart is my commitment to authenticity—both in storytelling and representation. I don’t just want to craft narratives that entertain; I want to challenge perceptions, create conversations, and explore the emotional truths that often go unspoken. I focus on creating deeply immersive experiences where every glance, silence, and hesitation carries weight, and where the emotions feel real, raw, and lived-in.
I am most proud of my ability to tell stories that feel deeply personal while speaking to something universal. Three of Swords is an extension of that—this film is not just a story, it is my story. Through making this film, I have gone through my own journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and coming to terms with the fact that I am polyamorous. It was a realization that took time, and in exploring it, I quickly saw how much misrepresentation and misconception exists in media and society when it comes to polyamory. When I spoke about it with others, I was met with confusion, judgment, and preconceived ideas that didn’t reflect my reality. That made me even more determined to tell a story that captures the emotional complexity of polyamory with honesty and depth.
Three of Swords is about love, longing, and the fluidity of relationships, told through the lens of three longtime friends whose weekend together forces them to confront unspoken truths. It is a film about how love can exist in many forms, how fear and desire intertwine, and how we often struggle to accept feelings that don’t fit into traditional boxes.
Beyond my work as a director and writer, I take pride in fostering collaboration and creating spaces where artists feel empowered to bring their unique voices to a project. Film is a collective art form, and I believe the best work comes from an environment where creativity is nurtured, trust is built, and everyone feels seen in the process. With Three of Swords, I am not just telling a story—I am giving myself and others a space to be seen
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Puerto Rico, where a lot of my childhood was spent playing outside, exploring nature, and making up stories with my cousins. Being an only child, I had to rely on my imagination for entertainment, which meant I was constantly creating new worlds, characters, and scenarios to play out. Whether it was pretending to be in a movie, coming up with stories on the spot, or putting together little performances for my family, storytelling was always at the center of how I played.
That early imagination shaped everything I do now. It gave me the ability to step into different roles as an actor and later translate those same ideas into writing and directing. I wasn’t just playing—I was unknowingly learning how to build characters, develop narratives, and understand emotions through the stories I was creating in my head.
As I got older, that love for storytelling naturally evolved into acting, which led me to filmmaking. I realized I didn’t just want to be in stories—I wanted to create them from the ground up. That’s what ultimately brought me to where I am today, writing and directing films that reflect the complexity of human relationships, love, and identity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.threeofswordsfilm.com
- Instagram: @threeofswordsshortfilm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570176970480&mibextid=wwXIfr
