Meet Maria Jose Moreno | Film Director & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Jose Moreno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria Jose, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela and moved to Miami with my parents in 2001. Growing up as an immigrant meant that my family and I faced a lot of struggles during my formative years; something that I come back to often in my work. Despite the adversity we experienced, my parents constantly surrounded my brother and I with love. They encouraged us to pursue our dreams, no matter what they were, and made us feel supported throughout it all. It’s this all-encompassing love that has influenced my work the most. Every single film I make or work on, I approach with love and care because I know of its importance firsthand.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a kid who was often left home alone, TV and films were the way I learned about the world. They helped me understand who I was and who I wanted to be. I started out my career studying theater at Miami Dade Community College and I attribute a lot of my success to the skills I developed there. Working as a house manager for shows put on by the theater department helped me hone in on my talent for production logistics. From MDC, I went on to get a bachelors degree in film at Portland State University, where I began working part-time as the videographer/photographer for their School of Music and Theater. During this time, I juggled a ton of other jobs to help pay for school, which included customer service representative, dog walker, and production assistant on films and commercials. Eventually, the connections I’d made working on set allowed me to transition into freelancing full time as an assistant director on projects for clients such as Artists Repertory Theater, Sleater Kinney, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Nowadays, when I’m not directing my own projects, I work as a producer & production manager between Portland, OR and Miami, FL.

It’s been incredibly tough navigating the film industry as a Latina since it is an industry where white supremacy and misogyny run rampant. Despite the setbacks I’ve faced, every negative experience I’ve had has only pushed me to work harder towards creating a work environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated as equals. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by other filmmakers who also believe that we can develop a kinder, more equitable film industry. My dream is to create a world in which Latinos and other “minority” groups are no longer the minorities in film and television. A world where we can see ourselves in every facet of filmmaking, from the talent onscreen all the way to the executives greenlighting the films. If I can be even a small part of making this happen, I will know I have succeeded.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Any time I’m in Miami, you’ll definitely find me eating fritanga at Pinolandia in Little Havana or empanadas from Mekatos Bakery in Kendall. During the day I love to hit up the Perez Art Museum or Bill Baggs State park if I want to enjoy the gorgeous nature Miami has to offer. At night, I’m most likely watching a film at the Nite Owl Drive-In or the Coral Gables Art Cinema.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to everyone who took a chance on me when I was starting out, especially Outside The Frame in Portland, OR. Their faith in me helped me flourish creatively and become the artist I am today. I wouldn’t have the success I have today without their support.

Website: www.mariamorenofilm.com

Instagram: @caradelunamedia @mmaria.mmoreno

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamorenofilm/

Image Credits
Tracy Kernell Adolfo Cantu-Villareal Yasmeen Magar Kendra Strahm