Café Con Magia
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy
In a trendy LA café, a tightly-wound mom boss and a free-spirited influencer collide; literally. Judgments fly, tensions simmer, and something… unexpected intervenes. A Spanglish, cafécito-fueled comedy about empathy, identity, and the moment everything changes.
Café Con Magia
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $16,113 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
99 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
In a trendy LA café, a tightly-wound mom boss and a free-spirited influencer collide; literally. Judgments fly, tensions simmer, and something… unexpected intervenes. A Spanglish, cafécito-fueled comedy about empathy, identity, and the moment everything changes.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
I'm drawn to stories that live in the in-between; between languages, cultures, expectations, and the versions of ourselves we perform to survive. As a bicultural Latina filmmaker, I’ve spent my life navigating those dualities, watching how easily women, especially Latinas, are flattened into assumptions before we’re ever truly seen.
Café con Magia was born from that tension. From noticing how quickly we judge other women whose lives look nothing like our own: the “together” mom, the carefree influencer, the woman who seems to have it easier, or harder, or figured out. These judgments often mask something deeper; exhaustion, longing, ambition, vulnerability, and they keep us from recognizing our shared humanity.
This film captures the precise moment when those assumptions begin to crack.
Using comedy, Spanglish dialogue, and magical realism, Café con Magia treats magic not as an explanation, but as an interruption; a spark that forces empathy to begin.
The humor disarms.
The magic unsettles.
And what’s left is an invitation to see differently.
THE WORLD OF CAFÉ CON MAGIA
Café con Magia takes place in a warm, culturally rooted café; a space that feels both grounded and a little enchanted.
It’s the kind of place where cafécito is ritual, where conversations linger, and where something just slightly unexplainable hums beneath the surface.
This world blends the everyday with the magical; where identity, ambition, and vulnerability collide in a space that feels intimate, nostalgic, and alive.
Our story follows two women moving through the world in very different ways… until suddenly, they aren’t.
Lorna is a vibrant, fast-moving content creator who’s mastered the art of looking like she has it all together. But beneath the surface, she’s still chasing validation. When she comes face-to-face with someone who embodies everything she believes she wants, the illusion begins to crack… just before her world turns upside down.
Paola is composed, efficient, and always in control; a woman who has built her life on structure, responsibility, and doing what needs to be done. There’s no room for chaos, no time for pause.
But when she’s forced into a life that moves to an entirely different rhythm, the cracks begin to show… and something unexpected starts to unravel.
WHAT THIS FILM EXPLORES
At its heart, Café con Magia explores:
• The pressure to “have it all together”
• The quiet comparisons women make with one another
• The gap between how we’re seen… and who we really are
• And the possibility of empathy when those walls come down
Through humor and magical realism, the film invites us to question not just each other—but ourselves.
WHY THIS STORY MATTERS
Stories about Latina women are often flattened into stereotypes; reduced to tropes instead of allowed to exist in contradiction, complexity, and truth.
Café con Magia challenges that.
It centers Latina women as whole people: ambitious, messy, funny, exhausted, driven, vulnerable, and deeply human.
This isn’t just about representation; it’s about recognition: the quiet, powerful moment of seeing yourself reflected honestly on screen.
It’s the feeling of thinking, "that’s me."
It’s about recognizing the parts of ourselves we don’t always say out loud, and realizing we’re not alone in them.
Because when we see ourselves truthfully, without distortion or simplification, something shifts.
We soften. We understand each other more.
And we begin to let go of the assumptions we’ve been carrying—about others, and about ourselves.
WHY A SHORT FILM?
This project is a proof of concept short film—designed to capture the exact moment everything changes.
The story ends at the instant of transformation… when both women realize they’ve switched.
It’s a cinematic “what if?” that opens the door to a larger story, while standing fully on its own as a powerful, self-contained piece.
VISUAL STYLE
OUR APPROACH
We are approaching this film with intentionality, care, and collaboration.
From casting to production design, we are committed to building a world that feels authentic, culturally specific, and emotionally grounded.
Our goal is to create something that feels both cinematic and intimate; where performance, tone, and visual storytelling work together seamlessly.
*GEN-AI DISCLOSURE
Some visual mockups (such as incentive previews and wishlist mockups) were created with the support of AI tools to help visualize design concepts. The story, characters, and creative vision behind Café con Magia are entirely original and created by our team.
MEET THE TEAM
We’re a team of storytellers, collaborators, and producing baddies bringing this story to life from a place that is deeply personal.
These aren’t just stories we care about; they're stories we’ve lived.
Rooted in our experiences, our families, nuestra cultura, this film is shaped from the inside out.
We carry the nuances, the contradictions, the humor, and the heart of these worlds because they are ours.
And that intimacy is what allows the story to feel honest, specific, and alive.
WHY NOW?
Despite growing conversations around diversity and inclusion, the data tells a different story.
Latina voices remain disproportionately absent across the industry; in directing, writing, producing, cinematography, and in leading roles on screen.
We are not just underrepresented; we are often missing from the very spaces where stories are shaped, greenlit, and brought to life. Even as more Latino stories begin to surface, they are still too often filtered through perspectives that are not our own.
That's crucial. Because stories about us should not exist without us.
Not just in front of the camera, but behind it.
Not just as characters, but as creators.
The lack of Latina representation is not just about numbers, it’s about authorship.
It’s about who gets to define what is seen, what is valued, and what is remembered.
Right now, that power is still unevenly distributed.
And that’s why this moment matters.
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WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
We’re currently raising funds to bring Café con Magia to life.
Your support helps us:
• Pay our cast and crew fairly
• Secure locations and production design
• Create a visually rich, high-quality film
• Ensure the story is told with the care it deserves
This isn’t just about making a film—it’s about making it well.
IF THIS RESONATES WITH YOU…
If you’ve ever:
• Compared your life to someone else’s and wondered if you were falling behind
• Felt like you had to perform a version of yourself to be accepted
• Or longed to see women like you fully seen on screen…
Then this story is for you.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Follow
The fastest way to support this film right now? Follow our campaign.
Hitting our follower goal helps unlock visibility and gives this story a stronger chance of reaching the people it’s meant for.
Even if you can’t contribute financially, this step alone makes a real difference.
Contribute
If you’re able to contribute, your support directly puts this film into motion.
Every dollar goes toward paying our cast and crew, securing locations, and creating a film that feels as rich and grounded as the story itself.
You can select an incentive that speaks to you, or simply give what you can. Every bit helps.
Share
If this story resonates with you, share it.
Send it to a friend, post it, text it to someone who would get it.
This is how independent films grow; through community, through word of mouth, through people who believe in what we’re building.
Seed&Spark is all-or-nothing; if we don’t hit our goal, we don’t receive the funds.
From our hearts, thank you.
Whether you follow, contribute, or share, you are helping bring this story into the world.
We don’t take that lightly.
Truly, gracias for being part of this with us. ✨
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $800
Support the artists bringing this story to life; help us pay our cast, from leads to supporting roles, for their time, talent, & rehearsals.
Crew
Costs $6,200
Support the hands behind the magic; camera, sound, production, & post, bringing Café con Magia to life.
Gear
Costs $2,000
Digital cinema camera, prime lens set, lighting & grip package to capture the warmth, intimacy, & magical realism of our café world.
Production Design, Props, and Costumes
Costs $600
Help us bring the world of Café con Magia to life through design, texture, and detail.
Locations
Costs $2,500
Help us find the spaces that shape this story; from the café to the worlds of Lorna and Paola.
Catering & Crafty
Costs $800
Help us keep our cast and crew fueled, cared for, and sustained throughout production.
Insurance and Permits
Costs $1,600
Help us secure the permits and protection needed to keep our set safe and production running smoothly.
Post Production
Costs $2,000
Post-production is where the story finds its final rhythm; through editing, color, and sound.
Marketing & Film Distribution
Costs $1,000
This helps us share our story with audiences through festivals and distribution.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Nahyr Galaz Ruiz
Writer | Director | Actress | Producer
Nahyr Galaz Ruiz is a Mexican-American writer, director, producer, and actress committed to telling culturally rooted stories that center ambitious, complex Latine women. She holds an MFA in Film and has written, produced, and directed multiple narrative short films that have screened at independent festivals.
Her work blends humor and emotional nuance to explore identity, beauty standards, ambition, and belonging within bicultural communities. As the founder of Fire & Ink Pictures, Nahyr develops visually intentional, character-driven projects that champion representation with specificity and sophistication.
Café con Magia expands her storytelling into a larger narrative world examining comparison culture and the illusion of “having it all” through comedy grounded in cultural ritual and tradition.
Denise Diaz
Producer
Denise Diaz is an award-winning producer dedicated to amplifying culturally rich and emotionally resonant stories. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she grew up immersed in books and film, shaping her lifelong commitment to storytelling as both craft and cultural impact.
With over ten short films produced, Denise brings both creative vision and logistical precision to every project. She holds a B.A. in Film Studies from Willamette University and an M.F.A. in Producing from Mount Saint Mary’s University. In 2021, she received the Best Producer Award at the Hollywood International Golden Age Festival.
As a producer on Café con Magia, Denise champions narratives that center Latine voices and lived experiences, supporting stories that blend heart, culture, and cinematic intention.
Johanna Martinez
Producer | Actress
Raised between Miami and Colombia, Johanna Martinez has been performing since the age of ten, working across pageants, theater, national commercials, and independent film. A bilingual actress, model, and producer, she brings both on-camera presence and behind-the-scenes storytelling instincts to every project.
As a digital creator and content strategist, Johanna has built a strong online presence through character-driven, culturally resonant content. Her experience crafting engaging social media narratives sharpens her producing lens, allowing her to understand both audience connection and market awareness.
On Café con Magia, Johanna serves as both producer and actress, blending her comedic timing, emotional depth, and influencer expertise to help shape a story that feels contemporary, culturally grounded, and audience-forward.
Aaron Cruz
Composer | Music Supervisor
Aaron Cruz is a Los Angeles–based composer, music producer, guitarist, and content creator. He has worked closely with Nahyr Galaz Ruiz of Fire and Ink on multiple projects, bringing cinematic soundscapes to life with precision and emotion. Known for his wide range and distinct appeal in the horror genre, Aaron crafts scores that heighten tension, atmosphere, and storytelling.
He is a Cannes-nominated composer and a former performer with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, as well as a seasoned guitarist in various Los Angeles-based bands.
Jeremy
Editor | Colorist
Jeremy Mowery is a Los Angeles based Animator, Editor and VFX artist specializing in stop motion and live action. After earning an M.F.A. in Film and Television with an emphasis in editing and stop motion from Mount Saint Mary’s University, he began teaching Animation & VFX at Woodbury University. Besides teaching, he continues to edit and animate short films, indie features, music videos and commercials and his original cinematic works have screened at festivals around the world. Recently he has worked with up-and-coming musicians such as Pulsar Radio, Savannah Pope and Radioactive Chicken Heads. In 2017, he founded a boutique studio alongside creative partner, Adam Thebault – Sock Dolly Productions. Be on the lookout for his latest original short film, Love Forevermore, which will begin its festival run in the very near future.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
I'm drawn to stories that live in the in-between; between languages, cultures, expectations, and the versions of ourselves we perform to survive. As a bicultural Latina filmmaker, I’ve spent my life navigating those dualities, watching how easily women, especially Latinas, are flattened into assumptions before we’re ever truly seen.
Café con Magia was born from that tension. From noticing how quickly we judge other women whose lives look nothing like our own: the “together” mom, the carefree influencer, the woman who seems to have it easier, or harder, or figured out. These judgments often mask something deeper; exhaustion, longing, ambition, vulnerability, and they keep us from recognizing our shared humanity.
This film captures the precise moment when those assumptions begin to crack.
Using comedy, Spanglish dialogue, and magical realism, Café con Magia treats magic not as an explanation, but as an interruption; a spark that forces empathy to begin.
The humor disarms.
The magic unsettles.
And what’s left is an invitation to see differently.
THE WORLD OF CAFÉ CON MAGIA
Café con Magia takes place in a warm, culturally rooted café; a space that feels both grounded and a little enchanted.
It’s the kind of place where cafécito is ritual, where conversations linger, and where something just slightly unexplainable hums beneath the surface.
This world blends the everyday with the magical; where identity, ambition, and vulnerability collide in a space that feels intimate, nostalgic, and alive.
Our story follows two women moving through the world in very different ways… until suddenly, they aren’t.
Lorna is a vibrant, fast-moving content creator who’s mastered the art of looking like she has it all together. But beneath the surface, she’s still chasing validation. When she comes face-to-face with someone who embodies everything she believes she wants, the illusion begins to crack… just before her world turns upside down.
Paola is composed, efficient, and always in control; a woman who has built her life on structure, responsibility, and doing what needs to be done. There’s no room for chaos, no time for pause.
But when she’s forced into a life that moves to an entirely different rhythm, the cracks begin to show… and something unexpected starts to unravel.
WHAT THIS FILM EXPLORES
At its heart, Café con Magia explores:
• The pressure to “have it all together”
• The quiet comparisons women make with one another
• The gap between how we’re seen… and who we really are
• And the possibility of empathy when those walls come down
Through humor and magical realism, the film invites us to question not just each other—but ourselves.
WHY THIS STORY MATTERS
Stories about Latina women are often flattened into stereotypes; reduced to tropes instead of allowed to exist in contradiction, complexity, and truth.
Café con Magia challenges that.
It centers Latina women as whole people: ambitious, messy, funny, exhausted, driven, vulnerable, and deeply human.
This isn’t just about representation; it’s about recognition: the quiet, powerful moment of seeing yourself reflected honestly on screen.
It’s the feeling of thinking, "that’s me."
It’s about recognizing the parts of ourselves we don’t always say out loud, and realizing we’re not alone in them.
Because when we see ourselves truthfully, without distortion or simplification, something shifts.
We soften. We understand each other more.
And we begin to let go of the assumptions we’ve been carrying—about others, and about ourselves.
WHY A SHORT FILM?
This project is a proof of concept short film—designed to capture the exact moment everything changes.
The story ends at the instant of transformation… when both women realize they’ve switched.
It’s a cinematic “what if?” that opens the door to a larger story, while standing fully on its own as a powerful, self-contained piece.
VISUAL STYLE
OUR APPROACH
We are approaching this film with intentionality, care, and collaboration.
From casting to production design, we are committed to building a world that feels authentic, culturally specific, and emotionally grounded.
Our goal is to create something that feels both cinematic and intimate; where performance, tone, and visual storytelling work together seamlessly.
*GEN-AI DISCLOSURE
Some visual mockups (such as incentive previews and wishlist mockups) were created with the support of AI tools to help visualize design concepts. The story, characters, and creative vision behind Café con Magia are entirely original and created by our team.
MEET THE TEAM
We’re a team of storytellers, collaborators, and producing baddies bringing this story to life from a place that is deeply personal.
These aren’t just stories we care about; they're stories we’ve lived.
Rooted in our experiences, our families, nuestra cultura, this film is shaped from the inside out.
We carry the nuances, the contradictions, the humor, and the heart of these worlds because they are ours.
And that intimacy is what allows the story to feel honest, specific, and alive.
WHY NOW?
Despite growing conversations around diversity and inclusion, the data tells a different story.
Latina voices remain disproportionately absent across the industry; in directing, writing, producing, cinematography, and in leading roles on screen.
We are not just underrepresented; we are often missing from the very spaces where stories are shaped, greenlit, and brought to life. Even as more Latino stories begin to surface, they are still too often filtered through perspectives that are not our own.
That's crucial. Because stories about us should not exist without us.
Not just in front of the camera, but behind it.
Not just as characters, but as creators.
The lack of Latina representation is not just about numbers, it’s about authorship.
It’s about who gets to define what is seen, what is valued, and what is remembered.
Right now, that power is still unevenly distributed.
And that’s why this moment matters.
WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
We’re currently raising funds to bring Café con Magia to life.
Your support helps us:
• Pay our cast and crew fairly
• Secure locations and production design
• Create a visually rich, high-quality film
• Ensure the story is told with the care it deserves
This isn’t just about making a film—it’s about making it well.
IF THIS RESONATES WITH YOU…
If you’ve ever:
• Compared your life to someone else’s and wondered if you were falling behind
• Felt like you had to perform a version of yourself to be accepted
• Or longed to see women like you fully seen on screen…
Then this story is for you.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Follow
The fastest way to support this film right now? Follow our campaign.
Hitting our follower goal helps unlock visibility and gives this story a stronger chance of reaching the people it’s meant for.
Even if you can’t contribute financially, this step alone makes a real difference.
Contribute
If you’re able to contribute, your support directly puts this film into motion.
Every dollar goes toward paying our cast and crew, securing locations, and creating a film that feels as rich and grounded as the story itself.
You can select an incentive that speaks to you, or simply give what you can. Every bit helps.
Share
If this story resonates with you, share it.
Send it to a friend, post it, text it to someone who would get it.
This is how independent films grow; through community, through word of mouth, through people who believe in what we’re building.
Seed&Spark is all-or-nothing; if we don’t hit our goal, we don’t receive the funds.
From our hearts, thank you.
Whether you follow, contribute, or share, you are helping bring this story into the world.
We don’t take that lightly.
Truly, gracias for being part of this with us. ✨
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cast
Costs $800
Support the artists bringing this story to life; help us pay our cast, from leads to supporting roles, for their time, talent, & rehearsals.
Crew
Costs $6,200
Support the hands behind the magic; camera, sound, production, & post, bringing Café con Magia to life.
Gear
Costs $2,000
Digital cinema camera, prime lens set, lighting & grip package to capture the warmth, intimacy, & magical realism of our café world.
Production Design, Props, and Costumes
Costs $600
Help us bring the world of Café con Magia to life through design, texture, and detail.
Locations
Costs $2,500
Help us find the spaces that shape this story; from the café to the worlds of Lorna and Paola.
Catering & Crafty
Costs $800
Help us keep our cast and crew fueled, cared for, and sustained throughout production.
Insurance and Permits
Costs $1,600
Help us secure the permits and protection needed to keep our set safe and production running smoothly.
Post Production
Costs $2,000
Post-production is where the story finds its final rhythm; through editing, color, and sound.
Marketing & Film Distribution
Costs $1,000
This helps us share our story with audiences through festivals and distribution.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Nahyr Galaz Ruiz
Writer | Director | Actress | Producer
Nahyr Galaz Ruiz is a Mexican-American writer, director, producer, and actress committed to telling culturally rooted stories that center ambitious, complex Latine women. She holds an MFA in Film and has written, produced, and directed multiple narrative short films that have screened at independent festivals.
Her work blends humor and emotional nuance to explore identity, beauty standards, ambition, and belonging within bicultural communities. As the founder of Fire & Ink Pictures, Nahyr develops visually intentional, character-driven projects that champion representation with specificity and sophistication.
Café con Magia expands her storytelling into a larger narrative world examining comparison culture and the illusion of “having it all” through comedy grounded in cultural ritual and tradition.
Denise Diaz
Producer
Denise Diaz is an award-winning producer dedicated to amplifying culturally rich and emotionally resonant stories. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she grew up immersed in books and film, shaping her lifelong commitment to storytelling as both craft and cultural impact.
With over ten short films produced, Denise brings both creative vision and logistical precision to every project. She holds a B.A. in Film Studies from Willamette University and an M.F.A. in Producing from Mount Saint Mary’s University. In 2021, she received the Best Producer Award at the Hollywood International Golden Age Festival.
As a producer on Café con Magia, Denise champions narratives that center Latine voices and lived experiences, supporting stories that blend heart, culture, and cinematic intention.
Johanna Martinez
Producer | Actress
Raised between Miami and Colombia, Johanna Martinez has been performing since the age of ten, working across pageants, theater, national commercials, and independent film. A bilingual actress, model, and producer, she brings both on-camera presence and behind-the-scenes storytelling instincts to every project.
As a digital creator and content strategist, Johanna has built a strong online presence through character-driven, culturally resonant content. Her experience crafting engaging social media narratives sharpens her producing lens, allowing her to understand both audience connection and market awareness.
On Café con Magia, Johanna serves as both producer and actress, blending her comedic timing, emotional depth, and influencer expertise to help shape a story that feels contemporary, culturally grounded, and audience-forward.
Aaron Cruz
Composer | Music Supervisor
Aaron Cruz is a Los Angeles–based composer, music producer, guitarist, and content creator. He has worked closely with Nahyr Galaz Ruiz of Fire and Ink on multiple projects, bringing cinematic soundscapes to life with precision and emotion. Known for his wide range and distinct appeal in the horror genre, Aaron crafts scores that heighten tension, atmosphere, and storytelling.
He is a Cannes-nominated composer and a former performer with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, as well as a seasoned guitarist in various Los Angeles-based bands.
Jeremy
Editor | Colorist
Jeremy Mowery is a Los Angeles based Animator, Editor and VFX artist specializing in stop motion and live action. After earning an M.F.A. in Film and Television with an emphasis in editing and stop motion from Mount Saint Mary’s University, he began teaching Animation & VFX at Woodbury University. Besides teaching, he continues to edit and animate short films, indie features, music videos and commercials and his original cinematic works have screened at festivals around the world. Recently he has worked with up-and-coming musicians such as Pulsar Radio, Savannah Pope and Radioactive Chicken Heads. In 2017, he founded a boutique studio alongside creative partner, Adam Thebault – Sock Dolly Productions. Be on the lookout for his latest original short film, Love Forevermore, which will begin its festival run in the very near future.