JOSUE MARTINEZ
 Josue Martinez
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I live in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Your script or media entry stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your project ? It’s been a long journey, but it all started during the pandemic when I moved back in with my family to hit the “reset” button and figure out where I was headed in life. In the process, I realized just how different I’d become from my parents—and how millennials often feel alienated from their families because of these differences. That got me thinking, and I started working on a script about a guy in his 30s trying to reconcile his values with those of his broken family… with a time-traveling device thrown in the mix. How long did it take you to write your script or produce your pitch deck/sizzle reel/trailer...and what was your development process? It took me about a month to write the first draft, but it’s taken me three years to polish it into what it is today. I guess I never stopped because I really loved the idea. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer or filmmaker? I’d love to be part of the evolution of transcultural media. More than just telling stories about the places I’ve been and the ones I dream of visiting, I want to empower others to share their own. But right now, my goal is to create a third short film and get this TV pilot noticed by the right people in the industry. Which film directors or screenwriters inspire you? Why? Lulu Wang and Sean Baker. They have a way of dissecting life’s simplest moments and making us feel deeply connected to their characters—even when those characters don’t say much. The characters in Expats, for example, were so intricate and flawed, yet I couldn’t help but root for each of them. And I’ll never forget the moment Moonee ran from the social workers to get her friend in The Florida Project —I don’t remember the exact moment I started crying, but I could feel for her. That’s the kind of emotional impact I hope to create in my own work. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? I have to give that title to Heroes—at least the first season. I was only 15 when it came out, but I remember that’s when I decided I wanted to write for film and TV. Something about the way the stories were interconnected, slowly building toward an epic showdown, made me want to be part of something that big someday. I’m still sad the show never got the redemption it deserved, but that first season was more than enough to inspire me. What advice do you have for others hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? Never stop writing. If you ever feel drained, step away and read something—then come back and write. If you feel like giving up on your current project, take a break and work on something else for a while. But whatever you do, keep reading and keep writing. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? One of my short films, SHARDS, is currently making its way through the festival circuit. It’s about finding human connections after a night filled with drugs. Next, I’d like to make another short before taking the leap into my first feature. I’m also exploring where I can take this pilot—I have material ready, and I’ll keep knocking on doors until someone’s ready to give me a chance. Where can the world find you? (Website, IMDB, etc.) I have a website: https://www.jmartinezpaz.com/ And here’s my IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/es/name/nm3650095/?reasonForLanguagePrompt=browser_header_mismatch |
