OUR TEAM



Kristina Andrez

YOLA Short Film

Kristina Andrez is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker with a deep passion for producing, directing, and screenwriting. Growing up in a Latino household, she was immersed in the rich rhythms and sounds of salsa, bachata, merengue, and reggaeton, which fueled her love for music and kept her connected to her roots. Combining her love for film and music, Kristina has been dedicated to helping up-and-coming artists by shooting low-budget music videos, and has also written and directed her own short films. Her ongoing projects are focused on telling stories that highlight different cultures, struggles, and misconceptions in society. Kristina's commitment to her community and her craft is evident in her volunteer work at LALIFF (Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival), where she has gained valuable experience and collaborated with fellow Latino filmmakers from around the world. Through her work, Kristina has had the opportunity to closely collaborate with industry producers, directors, and actors in various projects, including Crypt TV, De Viaje con Los Derbez, and big-budget music videos, honing her skills and keen eye for detail. With a bachelor's degree in CTVA Film Production from Cal-State Northridge, Kristina continues to work closely with Puerto Rican producers and directors to create fresh, innovative content. Her ultimate goal is to break barriers by creating original stories that inspire and connect with audiences worldwide. Kristina's unwavering passion for storytelling, combined with her diverse background and experiences, make her a dynamic filmmaker who is dedicated to creating impactful and meaningful content.

About their film: Ahari, a DACA recipient from Honduras set off on a vacation to San Juan, Puerto Rico, only to face an unforeseen turn of events. An emergency landing in the Dominican Republic, where he crossed paths with Yamaris, a young Dominican woman who dreamed of a better life. Together, they embarked on a journey to escape the island and to reach American territory, forcing them to learn from one another. Through the eyes of Yamaris, Ahari discovered a newfound appreciation for his own culture and heritage. Some believe that the emergency landing was more than just a coincidence, but a divine intervention from the ancestral gods, meant to guide Ahari back to his roots.

Our Grantees

Alejandra Quiroz

Alejandra Quiroz (She/Her/Ella) is a talented Writer, Producer, Director, and Podcast Host, originally from Honduras and raised in…

Chavala Yaduma

Chavala Yaduma is a writer and a film director with over 4 years of experience in the industry.…

Fabiola Torres-Toledo

Fabiola was born into a large family in a rural area of Puerto Rico, with some members living…

Gregg Flores

Gregg Flores was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in January of 1987. He was raised fishing and camping…

Kristina Andrez

Kristina Andrez is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker with a deep passion for producing, directing, and screenwriting. Growing up…

Paula Lovo

Paula Lovo (she/her/ella) is a Latine artist, educator, and film programmer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her work taps into…

Shley Suarez-Burgos

Shley Suarez Burgos (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Miami. At a young age, Shley discovered her passion…



Our Heritage, Our Planet Film Week
is an initiative of Hispanic 
Access Foundation.

E: info@hispanicaccess.org
P: (202) 640-4342