MI NINA/MY LITTLE GIRL, 7min., USA, Experimental
Directed by Emanuel Loarca
Laura takes us by the hand on a moving journey through time with her mother. You experience how love overcomes suffering and builds lasting memories that give meaning to life and strengthen the soul.

Interview with Director/Producer Emanuel Loarca & Writer/Producer Laura Isabel Figueroa

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Emanuel Loarca: What motivated me to make this film was the love imprinted on the page, this beautiful poem that celebrated and honored their unique kind love at different stages of their lives and beyond life itself. I wanted to honor that.

Laura Isabel: The vision of the director and producer Emanuel Loarca, who fell immediately in love with the poem I wrote to honor my mother’s resiliency and unconditionally love. I also wanted to raise awareness among potential viewers to care for their mothers and loved ones while they are still alive. Originally, I was planning to record myself reciting the poem and share the video on social media for Mother’s Day, but Emanuel believed it was meant to be a film and I decided to go along with the idea. I’m glad I did!

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Laura Isabel: Counting from the moment I wrote the poem all the way to completing postproduction details about a year and three months.
Emanuel: When I read the poem, I came up with the concept for them film and the imagery first, then I reached out to a few artist friends to co-create this day in the life narrative. We were lucky everyone said yes. It was a two intense days shoot. The postproduction took a lot longer.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Emanuel & Laura Isabel: Love, serenade

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Emanuel & Laura Isabel: The budget is always the budget.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Emanuel: I smiled, then I got tears in my eyes. I was overjoyed they got every detail. And I was relief it didn't get lost in translation.

Laura Isabel: My heart started swelling in excitement. The audience captured everything that was intended to transpire with the poem and the film making. I thought of my mother and said: “This is your legacy, mom. You have transcended.”

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Emanuel Loarca: As a kid. I always dreamed to be in films. I would direct my friends in little made up plays. There were costumes, props, staged directions.

Laura Isabel: I always wanted to inspire people through the arts and participated in school plays (either writing the story or acting, sometimes directing) or delivering a motivational talk. I must say though that working with Emanuel in this project, it became obvious to me that filmmaking is one of the most powerful means to convey a message.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Emanuel: The Lord of the rings, perhaps.

Laura Isabel: Titanic and The Pursuit of Happiness

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals

implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Emanuel and Laura Isabel: Maybe a special zoom groups for producers, writers and directors to meet and collaborate? Grants referrals?

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Laura Isabel: It’s been easy to navigate the process of submitting the film, I feel like an expert now.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Emanuel: Sushi and desserts.

Laura Isabel: Homemade beef soup.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Emanuel: Just finished writing a feature comedy film based on a true event and I’m looking for funding to make it happen.

Laura Isabel: I finished writing a love story short film between two women. It is based on true events. Also, publishing my book From Oppression to Liberation: a true story of resilience, love, and healing. Currently, only the version in Spanish De la opresión a la liberación has been published.