Meet Cristina Melendez

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristina Melendez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Taking risks has always been a part of who I am. Many told me not to pursue filmmaking in El Salvador because “there’s no industry there,” but I chose to break the ice and pave the way for others to follow. I relocated twice to study and work, all with the dream of elevating Salvadoran cinema through my production company, Clak Films.

For “Nunca es Tarde”, I even took out a personal loan, investing everything into Salvadoran cinema and making history: it became the first Salvadoran film to premiere outside our borders, in Honduras, and broke records with nine nominations at the Premios Platino—something never before seen in our country.

Risk-taking hasn’t been easy, but it has allowed me to fulfill not only my dreams but also those of my people. Every step I take is to show that Salvadoran talent can shine on the world stage. I do it with humility, but with the conviction that we are meant to transcend and leave a legacy that inspires future generations.

Risk is part of my DNA, and because of it, I can proudly say that we’ve put El Salvador on the global cinema map. It’s an honor to carry this responsibility, and I will continue working tirelessly to ensure our stories are seen and heard worldwide.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets us apart is that we work with heart. We make the kind of films that people in El Salvador truly love—films they don’t just go see to support local cinema, but because they genuinely enjoy them. They talk about them, recommend them, and take pride in them. At the same time, we create films with the quality needed to be recognized beyond our borders. Our movies have become references for Salvadoran cinema worldwide, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

It hasn’t been easy, though. Making films in El Salvador is extremely challenging. Each one of the six projects we’ve done has been a huge journey, but we’ve pushed through because of our people and their support. They’re the reason we keep going.

What I want the world to know about our brand is simple: we’re the face of El Salvador in the world of cinema. Our legacy is unmatched. We’ve created films on tight budgets that outperform others made with much bigger resources. Sure, those films get support, but they don’t resonate the way ours do. They don’t represent who we are as Salvadorans, and that is our essence.

Our story is about proving that passion, heart, and a deep connection to your roots can create something powerful—something that not only entertains but also inspires and represents a nation. That’s what we’re here for, and that’s what we’ll keep doing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting Miami, I’d make sure they had the best week ever! First, we’d start by soaking up the sun at Miami Beach and grabbing some ice cream while strolling down Lincoln Road. It’s the perfect spot to relax and people-watch.

Next, we’d head to Wynwood to check out the coolest bars, restaurants, and, of course, take tons of photos with those iconic murals. After that, we’d hit up the Design District for some chic vibes, maybe grab a drink, and snap a few more pics because, let’s be real, Miami is all about the aesthetic.

A boat day would be a must—cruising around to see the Brickell skyline from the water is unreal. And we couldn’t miss Little Havana for a cafecito and some Cuban culture.

For shopping, we’d go all out at Dolphin Mall and Sawgrass Mills—because you can’t leave Miami without a little retail therapy. And depending on the season, we’d catch a game—whether it’s the Panthers, Marlins, or Heat, the energy is always electric.

To wrap it up, we’d have dinner at a rooftop restaurant in Brickell or Key Biscayne with an insane view of the skyline. Miami is all about the vibes, the food, and the experiences, and I’d make sure my friend leaves with memories to last a lifetime!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely, I owe so much of my journey to the incredible people who have supported and believed in me. First and foremost, I believe God placed this dream in my heart, and He has guided every step, giving me the passion and strength to keep pushing forward in filmmaking and leaving this legacy against all odds.

My family has been my rock. My dad, Manuel, and my mom, Cristina, have supported me unconditionally at every turn. And my grandma Alicia, was the one who inspired me to become an actress from the moment I could think for myself—her love for storytelling planted the seed in me.

I also want to recognize Álvaro J. Martínez, the director of Clak Films. Together, we’ve created six productions that have completely transformed Salvadoran cinema, taking it from being virtually nonexistent to gaining global recognition. None of this would have been possible without the powerful team we have, who pour their hearts into every project.

This shoutout is for everyone who has been part of this story—because cinema is not made alone. It’s a collective effort, and I’m deeply grateful for every person who has helped me carry this dream forward. Together, we’ve shown the world that El Salvador has a voice, and it deserves to be heard.

Website: https://www.clakfilms.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crismelendez

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cris-melendez/

Twitter: https://www.x.com/crismelendez

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crismelendez

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crismelendezoficial

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/crismelendezoficial