Today we’d like to introduce you to Selene Esperanza Alvarez.
Hi Selene Esperanza, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was not born a filmmaker, no one is, but as humans we are all inherent storytellers. My Mother, Abuela, and Tias are some of the best storytellers and strongest women I know. They have helped mold me, not only into the person but the filmmaker I am today. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to a very loud and loving Mexican family. Both of my parents are from Michoacán, Mexico. I am very proud of my culture and where my family and I come from. As a Queer Mexican-American woman, I hope to always represent the Chicano, Latine, and LGBTQ+ community in an authentic and positive manner. I strive to create films where the characters and story represent the power of family, strength, empathy, unity, and love. All the things I was taught to be and value growing up.
Growing up, I was always too shy to speak my mind. An observer who loved learning but instead of asking questions, because I was too scared or nervous, would attempt to figure things out on my own. I had a wild imagination as a child but never considered myself creative. To me, being creative and artistic meant I needed to be a gifted musician, artist, performer, someone opinionated yet open-minded. I’ve always been creative the same way I’ve always been strong-minded and opinionated, I just never knew how to verbally express it. The films I write and create are how I express myself and the things I value with the world. My passion for filmmaking derives from the need to create diverse and authentic representation for under and misrepresented communities.
My family’s support alongside my own personal ambition pushes me to prove that this dream is possible despite the lack of Latina representation both in front of and behind the camera. I am part of organizations such as Women in Film, Chicana Director’s Initiative, Women in Media, and Women of Color Unite to connect with more Women, especially BIPOC Women in the industry. Each film I make grows in production value, as I grow as a director and filmmaker. I’ve been directing and creating films since I was 15. Using Google Docs and Zero Structure to write my scripts. We all start out that way. Creating shorts with your friends and whatever equipment you could get your hands on. Thank you UNI High softball and theater for always being in my shitty short films. I attended California State University Northridge and graduated in 2022 with a degree in Film Production and an emphasis in Cinematography. During my time at CSUN, I worked on various thesis films and met the most talented people who I not only have the privilege to work alongside but are also my best friends today.
In the Spring of 2021, I wrote a script, sent it to my film friends, told them we had zero budget, two nights to shoot at my Abuela’s house, and whatever equipment we owned. We created my short film La Que Se Fue, a queer & Latine-focused story about a young Chicana who’s ostracized from her neighborhood in the 90s. That film stemmed from a conversation I had with a not so supportive family member about my sexuality and the LGBTQ+ community. The film has garnered over 160,000+ views on YouTube and has proved to me that story matters over anything.
Last year I directed Ravine, a short film inspired by my love for baseball as well as the evictions that took place in 1959 in the communities of La Loma, Palo Verde, and Bishop. I wrote it from the perspective of an Angleno and lifelong Dodgers fan. Ravine is currently screening at various film festivals across the US and worldwide. It has been nominated for a few awards, including winning Best Original Idea at the 2023 Monza Film Festival. Within the last few years, I’ve been drawn to tell stories specifically focused on the Chicano movement and how that has impacted us Chicanos today. Other than taking film classes at CSUN, I took as many Chicano Studies classes as I could. Those classes and professors had a huge impact on my life and the stories I’d like to share with the world. Ravine is the first of a series of films I hope to make to continue teaching new generations and anyone who doesn’t know about these important historical events. As my DP Mario Carranza calls it, the Latino Cinematic Universe.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing ever comes easy. Even when it seems like quick success, there’s a lot of work that goes into every single project one makes. The process from taking an idea from inception to paper (or final draft) is a lot longer than most would think. Since making my last short film I have not been on set, at least as a director. Waiting for grants and money to fund passion projects can become draining and hopeless at times. I have received hundreds of rejections from festivals and grants, which can lead a lot of people to stop trying but I believe everything happens for a reason. When I receive a rejection, I try not to take it personally and focus on improving the script and story. There will be many more rejections, this is a very tough and competitive industry, but I believe the stories I need to share with the world will all have their time and place to be made. I am still very young and have so much to learn and need to grow as a filmmaker and director, which is why I have yet to truly consider myself one despite the many short films and projects I have worked on. Imposter syndrome, maybe. Not seeing Latina directors and producers getting the opportunities and recognition they deserve definitely alludes to that. I hope we all continue to push for equal representation for all BIPOC communities. I hope to inspire the next generation of women filmmakers. I hope the curiosity and learning never stops for me. Before I even knew what a director was or believed I could become one, I loved to write and knew how to tell stories and hope to do exactly that and much more for decades to come.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a film director, writer, and producer who strives to create diverse and authentic representation for under and misrepresented communities. I am most proud to be able to tell intersectional stories that unapologetically represent the communities that make me who I am.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
During the pandemic, in isolation, I was able to escape through writing. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to write. The pandemic taught me how to value my loved ones and also my career. I completed my first feature screenplay, inspired by where my family comes from. Started working on new short film scripts and developing other features that I hope to bring to life soon. Honestly, I think the pandemic was the most productive I’ve ever been. I started reading more and have taken inspiration from Latine authors such as Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Carolina de Robertis. During isolation, instead of observing the world and others, I was forced to perceive myself in a way I hadn’t before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sealvarez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sealvarez14/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@seaproductions2736
- Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10293763/?ref_=tt_ov_dr
Image Credits
Mario Carranza – Photographer Belen Ferra – Film BTS Photographer
