Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Mendoza.
Erica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m the Associate Director of Hidden GEM Creative Studios, where I also lead the social enterprise arm. Hidden GEM is more than a nonprofit it’s a creative home for emerging BIPOC artists in Southern California & the Bay Area. Through mentorship, training, and access to resources, we’re helping shape a more inclusive and visionary film industry one story at a time.
I’m Erica Mendoza, a Mexican-Chicana producer, director, and actress with roots in marketing, policy advocacy, and immigrant rights. My journey began on stage, drawn to theater as a place where I could express what words alone couldn’t carry. But as I stepped deeper into the world of film, I found myself searching for roles that looked and felt like me. They were few and far between.
As a first-generation college graduate and DACA recipient, I knew what it felt like to exist in the margins present, but rarely represented. That absence lit a fire in me. I moved behind the camera not just to create art, but to reclaim space for myself, and for the many voices still waiting to be heard. Over the years, I’ve led campaigns and creative projects with organizations like LULAC, The San Francisco Foundation, The California Endowment, YR Media, Destiny Arts, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation. My work lives at the intersection of storytelling and justice bridging advocacy and art to shift narratives from the inside out.
At Hidden GEM, we host a writing competition that supports youth and emerging filmmakers with mentorship, production opportunities, and equipment prizes. Winning scripts are brought to life using our in-house resources, and participants walk away not only with finished projects but with the confidence to keep creating. We also organize events like the BIPOC Film Festival supported by partners such as Dolby and the CSU Entertainment Alliance which amplify new talent and build lasting community.
Latinos make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population and are among the biggest consumers of media yet we remain some of the most underrepresented in film and television. At Hidden GEM, we’re working to shift that reality. We help Latinx/POC creatives tell stories rooted in truth, culture, resilience, and the complexity of who we are not the stereotypes we’ve been handed.
In early 2024, I received a grant from San Francisco State University that allowed me to return to my native country of Mexico through Advance Parole. That trip became the foundation for my first documentary a personal exploration of identity, belonging, and rediscovery. The film, now in post-production, was executive produced by Hidden GEM Creative Studios, in collaboration with Green Eyed Media and my new production company, Purépecha Pictures.
And there’s still more on the horizon. I’ll soon be launching a podcast that brings together storytelling, self-reflection, and conversations with creatives and changemakers. It’s another space where I hope to inspire, connect, and build community one voice at a time. For me, filmmaking isn’t just about lights, scripts, or sets it’s about legacy. It’s about making sure the next generation doesn’t have to look as hard as I did to find themselves on screen.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely had its challenges. As someone navigating life with DACA, there have been moments of deep uncertainty about my future, my legal status, and my ability to pursue opportunities that others might take for granted. On top of that, stepping into leadership roles and the creative industry as a Latina woman meant I often had to carve out spaces where none existed, sometimes feeling like I didn’t belong or had to prove myself twice as hard.
There were financial limitations, moments of burnout, and learning curves in both entrepreneurship and storytelling. But every challenge also pushed me to grow, to be resourceful, and to stay rooted in my purpose. Those struggles taught me resilience and shaped the work I do today, telling stories that matter, creating opportunities for others, and using my voice to advocate for change.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a creative force working at the intersection of storytelling, culture, and advocacy. I wear many hats filmmaker, actress, producer, media strategist, and community builder but at the core of it all, I’m deeply committed to telling bold, untold stories that reflect the real, lived experiences of underrepresented communities.
Through Hidden GEM Creative Studios and my new production house, Purépecha Pictures, I bring stories to life that go beyond the screen from powerful documentaries and social media campaigns to live events and community driven projects. I specialize in blending emotional depth with compelling visual storytelling to move audiences and ignite meaningful change.
Most recently, I produced a short film titled, “We Can’t Breathe” inspired by a true story shared by a former student in our program. The film highlights the environmental injustices faced by low-income communities exposed to dangerous air pollution from nearby oil refineries often located in predominantly Latino & Black neighborhoods. It’s a powerful call for environmental justice and community awareness. The film features Ric Salinas from Culture Clash and has received multiple awards and recognitions, including honors from the Social & Economic Justice Film Festival, the Mexican American Film & Television Awards, and the Latino Philadelphia Arts & Film Festival.
One of my proudest accomplishments is directing a documentary where I returned to Michoacán, Mexico legally, through Advance Parole for the first time in decades to reconnect with my roots. The film documents my personal journey navigating identity, home, and culture. That experience transformed me both as a person and as a filmmaker, and the project is currently wrapping up post-production.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just create content, I create impact. My work is rooted in lived experience, cultural authenticity, and a strong commitment to representation. I show up fully as an immigrant, a woman, a creative, and a leader using every part of my story to empower others to own their voice and take up space.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I want readers to know that your story matters even if it hasn’t been fully written yet, even if it feels complicated, or if you’re still figuring it out. As someone who grew up feeling like I had to shrink parts of myself to survive, I’ve learned that reclaiming your voice and sharing your truth can be one of the most powerful things you do not just for yourself, but for your community. Whether it’s through film, advocacy, or just showing up authentically in a space, I hope my work reminds others especially women, immigrants, and creatives of color that they belong, their stories are valuable, and they deserve to be seen and heard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hiddengemproject.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatgirlerrrica
- Other: https://vimeo.com/greeneyedmedia
