I grew up surrounded by stories- the kind passed down at family gatherings, told by grandparents who carried our history, and shared by a large, loud, loving Hispanic family of natural storytellers. Those memories, voices, and traditions shaped my earliest understanding of culture and identity, and they continue to guide the way I create. Learning about my roots has always been a grounding part of my life, shaping how I see the world and how I approach my work.

I am a filmmaker with a love for storytelling. What began as creating and editing videos at the age of eight has grown into a focused passion for screenwriting and directing. I’m a senior at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) in the Film & Television Conservatory, where I continue to hone my craft — both through my work at school and through the projects, collaborations, and learning experiences I pursue outside the classroom.

Here are a few pieces of my roots that have shaped me…

• My memories around sweet treats from my grandmas are some of my favorites. One grandma would make me arroz con leche always with a little cinnamon stick laid on top and so much care behind it. And from my other grandma, it’s her buñuelos - crispy, sugary, and filling the whole house with a sweet smell. Those little moments stay with me.

• What I love most about family gatherings is how everyone talks over each other, the food never stops coming, and someone is always telling a story you’ve already heard but still love.

• A phrase my family says all the time is “¿Ya comiste?” because in my family, checking on you always starts with making sure you’ve eaten.

• A childhood memory that always stays with me is sitting with my grandparents while they shared stories from their hometowns- the people, the places, and the memories. Those conversations are where I first understood the magic of storytelling.

• A cultural habit I grew up with is greeting everyone when you walk into a room and saying goodbye to each person before you leave- which is exactly why my family’s hellos and goodbyes take so long.

Thank you for being part of ROOTED.

Julian Maya, Rooted Film Festival Founder/Producer

For more on Julian Maya, please visit his website below-www.superjujuworld.com