For the Spanish version of this article, click here>>Cineasta Alejandro de los Ríos
With a unique background that spans Nicaragua, other Latin American countries, the East Coast, and New Orleans, Alejandro de los Rios, a half-Cuban, half-Venezuelan creative, embarked on a journey in the film industry. After graduating from Ithaca College in New York, his initial pursuit of sports journalism led to a shift towards multimedia and, eventually, cinematography, a passion ignited by New Orleans’ vibrant creative scene.
De los Rios honed his skills through various projects, including commercials, band profiles, and behind-the-scenes shoots. He credits Robert Rodriguez for teaching him about directing. Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, YouTube tutorials, and NOVAC (where he currently works) were sources for his filmmaking education.
The turning point in Alejandro de los Ríos’s career came from participating in the Emerging Voices Directors Lab at the New Orleans Film Festival. The program’s grant, mentorship, and peer support not only enabled him to create a short film but also solidified his commitment to filmmaking as a profession.
De los Rios emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community in filmmaking. He values diverse perspectives and believes in fostering a creative environment where the “best idea wins,” and has established a solid crew for over ten years. “I quickly learned that you can’t make movies alone. It’s important to create a community,” he says. This collaborative spirit is evident in his work, which includes documentaries and original short films like Jalapeño Andretti, Seafood Gangster, and Distant Mardi Gras.
His latest short, Game Day Ritual, a sports comedy about three friends who kidnap the star player of their favorite team to perform an occult ritual they believe will finally win them a championship, mixes everything he likes. The film was chosen to premiere at the New Orleans Film Festival and Shreveport’s Prize Fest in October. With a concept for his next movie ready, de los Rios hopes to shoot in Colombia or Venezuela, where he has been reconnecting with his Latin American roots.
De los Rios remains committed to sharing his knowledge and passion with aspiring filmmakers, ensuring the next generation is equipped to tell their stories through film. Check out his film during the New Orleans Film Festival and learn more about this talented cinematographer by visiting FromtheRiverFilms.com.
