Meyolotl
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary, Shorts Program
From an intimate perspective, Meyolotl is a non-fiction short film exploring a Mexican community’s sacred bond with the maguey plant, while the filmmaker reflects on her evolving identity. This story honors deep-rooted care, and we need your help to reach the finish line!
Meyolotl
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary, Shorts Program
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,781 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
57 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
From an intimate perspective, Meyolotl is a non-fiction short film exploring a Mexican community’s sacred bond with the maguey plant, while the filmmaker reflects on her evolving identity. This story honors deep-rooted care, and we need your help to reach the finish line!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
After years of living in the United States, a filmmaker returns to her hometown in Mexico to document the nurturing relationship between her community and the maguey, an endemic plant that has sustained their way of life for generations. As she witnesses the deep-rooted bond built on mutual care, she reflects on her transformed identity and confronts the complex emotions surrounding her decision to leave.
The maguey is a plant that has been a pillar of many communities like mine, in Mexico. For generations, my family has preserved this generous plant and made use of the many resources it offers to the community: from the aguamiel used to make pulque, to the firewood for cooking.
As I observed my community’s relationship with the maguey, I began reflecting on my own journey as an immigrant. Adapting to a new land is never easy, and I found myself questioning: Where do I belong?
Meyolotl is a personal documentary that explores my community’s efforts to preserve the maguey, while I’m embracing my transformed identity.
- $500 - Editing (9%)
- $1.5k - Sound Design & Mixing (27%)
- $1.2k - Composition & Music Rights (22%)
- $600 - Color (11%)
- $500 - Deliverables (9%)
- $500 - Overage (8%)
- $425 - Marketing & Outreach (9%)
- $275 - Platform Fee (5%)
TOTAL $5,500 USD
There are so many ways you can help us reach our goal!
- Make a pledge and join our supporters.
- Follow our campaign on this platform.
- Spread the word on your social media. The more, the merrier!
- Make a post directly to our campaign
- Share this campaign to anyone who could be of any interest.
Three main takeaways: Donate, Spread the word and Folllow us on social media!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound Design and Mixing
Costs $1,500
This amount covers the cost to create the auditory ambiance of the film!
Composition and Music Rights
Costs $1,200
To ensure we get the soundtrack we need!
Color
Costs $750
To strike the perfect color that our film need :)
Deliverables
Costs $500
For the assets we need to give so we can distribute the film
Editing
Costs $500
This amount will help us cover the remaining costs of the edit
Overage
Costs $350
Help us cover any unexpected costs!
Marketing/Outreach
Costs $425
Help us spread the word!
Processing Fees
Costs $275
Support us in covering the expenses of fundraising
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are thrilled to have an incredible team bringing Meyolotl to life. From our crew on set to our creative partners, every member of this team has deeply collaborated in this story that honors identity, memory, and roots. It was essential for Meyolotl to collaborate with people who understand the intimate and personal nature of this documentary, which is why we intentionally assembled a team to shape this story.
🌱 The Crew 🌱
Lorena R. Valencia - Director/Producer/Executive Producer @lorena_rvalencia
Karla Pedraza Jasso - Producer @karlamjasso
Omar Lara - DIT / Executive Producer @rizomareado
Rodrigo Hernandez - Postproducer / Executive Producer @terrierfilmsmx
Jose Grimaldo - Director of Photography @jomagrimaldo
Rodrigo Garcia - 1st Assistant Camera
Amanda Granda - Sound Recordist @_amandagranda
Rosa Maria Rodriguez - Production Manager @osamaria.rodriguez.7169
Alejandro Maltrana - PA/Driver
Lola Kenet - Co-Editor @lolavalyoli
Juan Blanco - Co-Editor @mynameisjuanito_
Ilse Serdan - Colorist @ilse_serdan
Sebastian Perez - Sound Designer
Juan Carlos Enriquez - Composer @juan.carlos.enriquez.composer
💛 Our Creative Partners 💛
Lakhesis Films - Production https://lakhesisfilms.com/
Terrier Films - Coproduction https://www.instagram.com/terrierfilmsmx/
UFO Work in Progress program https://www.ufo-films.org/ at Doc Shop in the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival https://www.bigskyfilmfest.org/
Prodicine https://cem-ac.org/ with Huit-zilin https://huit-zilin.com/ for subtitles and translation for this production.
LORENA R. VALENCIA - Director / Producer / Executive Producer
Lorena R. Valencia is an Emmy-winning, Mexican, New York-based writer-director and producer. Her award-winning MFA thesis film Cuanacaquilitl (Dandelion, 2022) has been screened at international festivals including the Morelia International Film Festival, 16 Days 16 Films Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival and Hola Mexico Film Festival. A member of NY NATAS, NYWIFT, Video Consortium, NALIP and Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Lorena focuses on themes of reproductive rights, identity, and belonging. She is currently directing the documentary short Meyolotl, project selected at the UFO WIP at the Big Sky Docs in 2025, and developing her debut feature film Mayahuel, selected for the 2024 Cine Qua Non Lab's Storylines Workshop and the 2025 Creative Production Workshop at the 2025 Ibero-American Film Festival.
KARLA PEDRAZA JASSO - Producer
Mexican documentary filmmaker and Guadalajara Talents alumna (2023). Her production career includes works such as Vaquero del Mediodía (2020) and La Evaluación (2022) by Diego Enrique Osorno, nominated for an Ariel Award for Best Short Film, as well as A Plena Luz by Alberto Arnaut (Netflix, 2022).
Currently, she is collaborating with women on the development of her directorial debut, Forajida: La mujer de las bestias heridas, a feature film centered on the life and work of Elena Larrea. She is also producing Laura García Baeza’s first feature film, El recuerdo tiene mala memoria, and Lorena R. Valencia’s short film, Meyolotl.
RODRIGO HERNANDEZ CRUZ - Postproducer / Executive Producer
Rodrigo Hernández Cruz is a Mexican producer, writer, and director born on August 10, 1982, in Mexico City. With over two decades of experience in the film and television industry, he is known for his work on Masacre en Teques (2023), Lotería del Crimen (2022–2024), and Lo que la gente cuenta (2005–2022). His projects often explore themes rooted in Mexican culture, folklore, and social issues. Rodrigo is also the co-founder of Terrier Films, a production company dedicated to creating bold, original content across genres. His work has earned critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, establishing him as a prominent voice in Latin American media.
OMAR LARA - DIT / Executive Producer
JOSE GRIMALDO - Director of Photography
José Grimaldo is known for Apnea (2023), Lupillo Rivera, Alemán, Santa Fe Klan, B-Real & Snoop Dog: Grandes Ligas (2021) and The Last Romantic (2018).
LOLA KENET - Co-Editor
Lola Kenet is an editor and filmmaker known for her work on Weight of the Whale on Her Shoulders (2018). Her editing balances rhythm and emotion, shaping the story’s flow alongside her co-editor.
JUAN BLANCO - Co-Editor
Juan Blanco Garcia is a two-time Emmy winning filmmaker. His short films The (Other) 700 Club (2022) and Untitled Film #1 (2017) have been awarded and screened at international film festivals like DOC NYC, Big Sky, Rooftop Films. In 2022, he graduated from the MFA in Media Arts Production at The City College of New York as a Fulbright scholar, mentored by Alan Berliner.
ILSE SERDAN - Colorist
Ilse Serdán, colorist for Totem (2023), defines the film’s visual palette and consistency through color grading, enhancing its mood and emotional tone.
JUAN CARLOS ENRIQUEZ - Composer
Juan Carlos Enríquez is a multi-instrumentalist composer from Guadalajara, Mexico, and a three-time CLIO Award winner. A participant in the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Next program and two-time HMMA nominee, he has scored projects for NBCUniversal, Netflix, HBO Max, and Microsoft, including ’Til Jail Do Us Part and The Secret of the Greco Family. His work spans film, television, and video games, collaborating with acclaimed filmmakers like Darren Aronofsky, Robert Rodriguez, and Cary Joji Fukunaga.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
After years of living in the United States, a filmmaker returns to her hometown in Mexico to document the nurturing relationship between her community and the maguey, an endemic plant that has sustained their way of life for generations. As she witnesses the deep-rooted bond built on mutual care, she reflects on her transformed identity and confronts the complex emotions surrounding her decision to leave.
The maguey is a plant that has been a pillar of many communities like mine, in Mexico. For generations, my family has preserved this generous plant and made use of the many resources it offers to the community: from the aguamiel used to make pulque, to the firewood for cooking.
As I observed my community’s relationship with the maguey, I began reflecting on my own journey as an immigrant. Adapting to a new land is never easy, and I found myself questioning: Where do I belong?
Meyolotl is a personal documentary that explores my community’s efforts to preserve the maguey, while I’m embracing my transformed identity.
- $500 - Editing (9%)
- $1.5k - Sound Design & Mixing (27%)
- $1.2k - Composition & Music Rights (22%)
- $600 - Color (11%)
- $500 - Deliverables (9%)
- $500 - Overage (8%)
- $425 - Marketing & Outreach (9%)
- $275 - Platform Fee (5%)
TOTAL $5,500 USD
There are so many ways you can help us reach our goal!
- Make a pledge and join our supporters.
- Follow our campaign on this platform.
- Spread the word on your social media. The more, the merrier!
- Make a post directly to our campaign
- Share this campaign to anyone who could be of any interest.
Three main takeaways: Donate, Spread the word and Folllow us on social media!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound Design and Mixing
Costs $1,500
This amount covers the cost to create the auditory ambiance of the film!
Composition and Music Rights
Costs $1,200
To ensure we get the soundtrack we need!
Color
Costs $750
To strike the perfect color that our film need :)
Deliverables
Costs $500
For the assets we need to give so we can distribute the film
Editing
Costs $500
This amount will help us cover the remaining costs of the edit
Overage
Costs $350
Help us cover any unexpected costs!
Marketing/Outreach
Costs $425
Help us spread the word!
Processing Fees
Costs $275
Support us in covering the expenses of fundraising
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are thrilled to have an incredible team bringing Meyolotl to life. From our crew on set to our creative partners, every member of this team has deeply collaborated in this story that honors identity, memory, and roots. It was essential for Meyolotl to collaborate with people who understand the intimate and personal nature of this documentary, which is why we intentionally assembled a team to shape this story.
🌱 The Crew 🌱
Lorena R. Valencia - Director/Producer/Executive Producer @lorena_rvalencia
Karla Pedraza Jasso - Producer @karlamjasso
Omar Lara - DIT / Executive Producer @rizomareado
Rodrigo Hernandez - Postproducer / Executive Producer @terrierfilmsmx
Jose Grimaldo - Director of Photography @jomagrimaldo
Rodrigo Garcia - 1st Assistant Camera
Amanda Granda - Sound Recordist @_amandagranda
Rosa Maria Rodriguez - Production Manager @osamaria.rodriguez.7169
Alejandro Maltrana - PA/Driver
Lola Kenet - Co-Editor @lolavalyoli
Juan Blanco - Co-Editor @mynameisjuanito_
Ilse Serdan - Colorist @ilse_serdan
Sebastian Perez - Sound Designer
Juan Carlos Enriquez - Composer @juan.carlos.enriquez.composer
💛 Our Creative Partners 💛
Lakhesis Films - Production https://lakhesisfilms.com/
Terrier Films - Coproduction https://www.instagram.com/terrierfilmsmx/
UFO Work in Progress program https://www.ufo-films.org/ at Doc Shop in the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival https://www.bigskyfilmfest.org/
Prodicine https://cem-ac.org/ with Huit-zilin https://huit-zilin.com/ for subtitles and translation for this production.
LORENA R. VALENCIA - Director / Producer / Executive Producer
Lorena R. Valencia is an Emmy-winning, Mexican, New York-based writer-director and producer. Her award-winning MFA thesis film Cuanacaquilitl (Dandelion, 2022) has been screened at international festivals including the Morelia International Film Festival, 16 Days 16 Films Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival and Hola Mexico Film Festival. A member of NY NATAS, NYWIFT, Video Consortium, NALIP and Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Lorena focuses on themes of reproductive rights, identity, and belonging. She is currently directing the documentary short Meyolotl, project selected at the UFO WIP at the Big Sky Docs in 2025, and developing her debut feature film Mayahuel, selected for the 2024 Cine Qua Non Lab's Storylines Workshop and the 2025 Creative Production Workshop at the 2025 Ibero-American Film Festival.
KARLA PEDRAZA JASSO - Producer
Mexican documentary filmmaker and Guadalajara Talents alumna (2023). Her production career includes works such as Vaquero del Mediodía (2020) and La Evaluación (2022) by Diego Enrique Osorno, nominated for an Ariel Award for Best Short Film, as well as A Plena Luz by Alberto Arnaut (Netflix, 2022).
Currently, she is collaborating with women on the development of her directorial debut, Forajida: La mujer de las bestias heridas, a feature film centered on the life and work of Elena Larrea. She is also producing Laura García Baeza’s first feature film, El recuerdo tiene mala memoria, and Lorena R. Valencia’s short film, Meyolotl.
RODRIGO HERNANDEZ CRUZ - Postproducer / Executive Producer
Rodrigo Hernández Cruz is a Mexican producer, writer, and director born on August 10, 1982, in Mexico City. With over two decades of experience in the film and television industry, he is known for his work on Masacre en Teques (2023), Lotería del Crimen (2022–2024), and Lo que la gente cuenta (2005–2022). His projects often explore themes rooted in Mexican culture, folklore, and social issues. Rodrigo is also the co-founder of Terrier Films, a production company dedicated to creating bold, original content across genres. His work has earned critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, establishing him as a prominent voice in Latin American media.
OMAR LARA - DIT / Executive Producer
JOSE GRIMALDO - Director of Photography
José Grimaldo is known for Apnea (2023), Lupillo Rivera, Alemán, Santa Fe Klan, B-Real & Snoop Dog: Grandes Ligas (2021) and The Last Romantic (2018).
LOLA KENET - Co-Editor
Lola Kenet is an editor and filmmaker known for her work on Weight of the Whale on Her Shoulders (2018). Her editing balances rhythm and emotion, shaping the story’s flow alongside her co-editor.
JUAN BLANCO - Co-Editor
Juan Blanco Garcia is a two-time Emmy winning filmmaker. His short films The (Other) 700 Club (2022) and Untitled Film #1 (2017) have been awarded and screened at international film festivals like DOC NYC, Big Sky, Rooftop Films. In 2022, he graduated from the MFA in Media Arts Production at The City College of New York as a Fulbright scholar, mentored by Alan Berliner.
ILSE SERDAN - Colorist
Ilse Serdán, colorist for Totem (2023), defines the film’s visual palette and consistency through color grading, enhancing its mood and emotional tone.
JUAN CARLOS ENRIQUEZ - Composer
Juan Carlos Enríquez is a multi-instrumentalist composer from Guadalajara, Mexico, and a three-time CLIO Award winner. A participant in the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Next program and two-time HMMA nominee, he has scored projects for NBCUniversal, Netflix, HBO Max, and Microsoft, including ’Til Jail Do Us Part and The Secret of the Greco Family. His work spans film, television, and video games, collaborating with acclaimed filmmakers like Darren Aronofsky, Robert Rodriguez, and Cary Joji Fukunaga.