OUR FOUNDER
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-
