Filmmaker Statement

I like to share stories about people who rarely get the spotlight — everyday people often confronting systems that weren’t built for them. As a first-generation Cuban-American and someone who grew up with a father in prison, I know what it’s like to feel like your story isn’t being told the right way. DOWN NORTH draws from my experience, featuring a Philadelphia pizza shop that exclusively hires formerly incarcerated people whose mission is to combat recidivism. It’s a story about second chances, family, and building a community around food. I want this film to show people that when given the right tools, people returning home from prison can break the cycle of incarceration and become positive members of society.