Marco Castro-Bojorquez, Director and Producer
Marco is a filmmaker and an LGBT and HIV/AIDS activist who fights daily for the civil and human rights of LGBT people as a convener for Venas Abiertas: A National Network of Latinx Immigrants Living and / or affected by HIV/AIDS, a member of the U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus, and a lead organizer with the coalition of Californians for HIV Criminalization Reform. He is also the senior advisor for Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement, MAVEN and Somos Familia, organizations that work with queer youth and their families in the United States. In 2010, Marco directed his first short documentary Tres Gotas de Agua where three Latina immigrant mothers tell their personal stories about their children's coming out processes. His most recent work, El Canto del Colibrí 2015, (The Hummingbird’s Song) explores the relationships between Latino immigrant fathers and their LGBT family members. This documentary addresses important issues such as family acceptance, culture, machismo, and immigration. In November of 2015, Marco was selected by the White House for the prestigious Champions of Change award that recognizes LGBT artists who use media to illuminate the experiences of LGBT Americans and create opportunities for dialogue, inclusion, and understanding. Jose Alfaro, Director of Photography and Producer Originally from El Salvador, and the first in his family to go to college, Jose graduated from San Francisco State University in 2009 with a B.A. in Broadcasting. During his time at BAYCAT, he successfully produced and/or directed eight short films as part of BAYCAT's Community Cinema Program. Four of these films have been selected and appeared in eight film festivals, from Frameline and the Latino Film Festival in San Francisco, to international audiences at the Mexican International Film Festival, Bologna Film Festival and WorldKids Film Festival in India. Jose Alfaro is currently a Senior Producer at Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT). Katie Cruz, Producer Katie graduated from San Francisco State with a degree in Theatre Arts and has been working in theater and film for over 10 years. Growing up in a Puerto Rican household with a transgender brother, Katie has experienced first hand, some of the many obstacles and complexities between Latino families and their LGBTQ identified family members. She is very honored and excited to be part of this project. She is currently the Vice President of Programs & Operations at Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT), where she has the amazing opportunity to combine her passion for the arts, love of producing media and dedication to youth advocacy. Liz Salinas, Producer Passionate about filmmaking even as a young immigrant from Nicaragua, Liz has achieved her dreams by being part of the BAYCAT STUDIO as Production Coordinator. Whether working as a Set Production Assistant for The Food Network or American Idol Productions, or being an integral part in the production planning or on the set for interviews with notable philanthropists like Robert Haas or Barbara and Gerson Bakar, Liz has quickly become an invaluable member of BAYCAT STUDIO, and a mentor instructor to interns and youth through BAYCAT ACADEMY. Liz graduated in 2012 with a B.A. in Cinema Studies from San Francisco State University and in 2013 from BAYCAT’s Pathways Internship program with an Adobe Associate Certification in Premiere Pro CS6. Liz is fluent in Spanish and has beginning proficiency in Japanese. Jesus Beltran, Editor Jesus "Chin" Beltran is a narrative filmmaker. His passion for storytelling informs all of his work, be it his original material, music videos, commercial content or still photography.His first short film, THE GRASS GROWS GREEN premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and played at over 30 film festivals worldwide. He is currently in development on his debut feature film, AMERICANO, a film about a 'wetback' who don't take no shit and who's not looking to settle for just the typical American dream. AMERICANO was one of five projects that participated in the 2010-2011 Sundance Creative Producing Labs with Amy Lo as attached producer. Jesus was born and raised in Fort Worth, TX, attended Stanford University and currently lives in the mountains of Northern California with his lovely wife and some cats. He is a member of the San Francisco Film Society, the National Press Photographer's Association and the owner and operator of Zumpango Films, an independent film production company. |