Unqualified

Tampa, Florida | Film Short

Comedy, Drama

Miranda Roldán Studios LLC

1 Campaigns | Florida, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $8,150 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

62 supporters | followers

Enter the amount you would like to pledge

$

Unqualified follows Valentina, a fierce Latina mom and military wife, as she goes head-to-head with the gatekeepers of a prestigious MBA program. Underestimated at every turn, she proves that real leadership isn’t always found on a resume—it’s built through grit, resilience, and lived experience.

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

"Unqualified" challenges outdated definitions of leadership by spotlighting people's lived experiences and efforts, which are often overlooked. Our mission with this film is to empower, represent, and rewrite what “qualified” really means.

The Story

What if the thing that makes you “unqualified” is exactly what makes you unstoppable?



Hi everyone, I’m Miranda Roldán—Latina filmmaker, military spouse, mom, and Executive Producer of the short film—Unqualified. I founded Miranda Roldán Studios LLC to bring life to stories for women by women. Unqualified is a bold, heartfelt 15-minute short film about a military spouse who’s been overlooked, underestimated, and still dares to dream big.


Here’s the deal: in order for Unqualified to receive any funding, we need to hit at least 80% of our $8,000 goal (stretch goal is $11,000)—and 30% of that needs to come in during the first few days of the campaign.


So go ahead and hit the FOLLOW Heart Button before reading further located up at the top!



We know this story matters. We know this community shows up. And we know we can get there—but we can’t do it without you.

Be part of the early wave. Donate now. Share now. 



This film is loosely based on my own challenges applying to graduate schools due to my unconventional life path. I’ve been an actress professionally for over 10 years, working with some of the biggest networks and names in the industry—Netflix, Disney+, NBC Law & Order SVU, CBS FBI, Hallmark, Lifetime, and more. Now, I’m stepping behind the camera to tell a story that’s deeply personal, painfully timely, and universally relatable. My work brings visibility to the women behind the scenes—mothers and military spouses whose strength, sacrifice, and leadership often go unrecognized.





Unqualified is a powerful short film that follows Valentina Martinez—a Latina military wife, mother, and entrepreneur—who applies to an elite MBA program. When her unconventional résumé is questioned in a high-stakes admissions interview, she’s forced to defend her lived experience as real leadership. What unfolds is a quiet act of defiance against outdated societal norms and a moving portrait of what resilience truly looks like.



Unqualified is a timely reminder that professionalism, leadership, and strength come in many forms—and it’s time we redefine who gets to be seen as “qualified.”



According to a statement released by Hiring our Heroes U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation:

"For too long, military spouses have faced double-digit unemployment rates. That trend continues today as military spouses face an unemployment rate of 21%, leaving too many military families with the economic realities caused by a single income. For many, it is forcing them to decide between continued military service or leaving service for two incomes.¹"



This film is for every person who has ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or boxed in by someone else’s definition of success. It is especially for women, mothers, caregivers, military spouses, and nontraditional professionals who are navigating ambition while carrying the weight of real-life responsibilities. It’s also for institutions, employers, and gatekeepers—inviting them to expand their understanding of what true leadership looks like.



We are women empowering other women: The film industry has long been male-dominated, but Unqualified is flipping the script. We’re proud to share that during shooting, our amazing cast & crew made up 75% of key production roles, which were filled by diverse women, with a cast and crew that reflects the diversity, strength, and perspective this story deserves. This isn’t just representation—it’s leadership, collaboration, and creative power in action.


"As of 2024, women held approximately 23% of key behind-the-scenes leadership roles—including directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers—on the top 250 grossing films in the U.S ²"


We are looking to increase that percentage.



Miranda Roldán Studios LLC personally funded the initial production of Unqualified because we didn’t want to wait for permission to tell this story. Now, we are asking for your help to finish strong. Your support will go toward post-production (editing, sound, color, music licensing) as first priority, in addition to compensating our hardworking cast and crew, some of whom have been working on deferred payment. Finally, we’ll launch a festival and impact campaign to ensure this story reaches the audiences and decision-makers who need to see it most.


Distribution & Outreach

This film is more than a story—it’s a movement. Unqualified was produced under the SAG Micro Budget Agreement and will follow all union-approved distribution guidelines. With your support, we’ll focus on:

✅ Submitting to U.S. film festivals

✅ Hosting private screenings for qualifying donors

✅ Reaching military families and nontraditional leaders through targeted outreach

Keeping the conversation going on social @unqualified_thefilm, @mirandaroldanstudios @mirandaroldantv

Every dollar helps amplify underrepresented voices and redefine what leadership really looks like.



❤️ Stories like Unqualified don’t often get made—especially not on their own terms. This isn’t a large studio-backed project with unlimited resources. It’s a grassroots effort powered by passion, lived experience, and the belief that real leadership doesn’t always wear a suit or come with a perfect résumé. And YOU get to be a part of that.



❤️ Are Donations Tax-Deductible?

YES! We are grateful to have been chosen by From The Heart Productions to be our fiscal sponsor. All donations are tax-deductible, whether you’re an individual or a business. Your support doesn’t just back a film; it helps redefine leadership, one bold move at a time.


Just sharing this campaign alone helps tremendously! Follow our campaign now!

We thank you so much.

Unqualified is Fiscally Sponsored by From the Heart Productions, 501(c)3 Non-Profit (EIN #95-4445418) that has supported independent filmmakers for over 30 years. All donations are Tax-Deductible.







Citations:

1: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Hiring Our Heroes. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation: Hiring our Heroes U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Accessed May 10th, 2025

2: Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film – Celluloid Ceiling Report (2024)

Lauzen, M. M. (2024). The Celluloid Ceiling: Behind-the-Scenes Employment of Women on the Top 250 Films of 2023. Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, San Diego State University. Retrieved from https://womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu/research/

Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Post-Production

Costs $3,000

For Color, Editing, Music Licensing and More

Marketing

Costs $3,000

Film festivals, Cover art, advertising and fees

Initial Production

Costs $2,000

pay the hardworking cast and crew and equipment that was deferred pay

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team












Executive Producer, Writer, Co-Director: Miranda Roldán

Miranda Roldán is an actor, filmmaker, and military spouse rewriting the script on what it means to be “qualified.” With roots in New York and a heart anchored by motherhood, she brings bold Latina energy and unapologetic truth to every frame. Unqualified is her directorial debut—based loosely on her own journey of chasing dreams between spouse military duty, diapers, and deadlines. Miranda created this film to uplift women whose résumés don’t tell the whole story—and whose lives are anything but ordinary.






















Co-Director: Maggie Perrotta

Co-Director of Unqualified, Maggie Perrotta is a filmmaker dedicated to telling stories that empower women. Her latest short, Unqualified, is a dramedy that follows a military wife’s journey to navigate the demands of work, family, and personal dreams. Maggie previously directed Stood UpDiversion, and Girls Rock St. Pete, each highlighting bold, complex, and resilient female leads. Her work blends emotional depth with humor and, at times, a touch of speculative storytelling. Maggie collaborates closely with other talented women in film, including writer, actor, and co-director Miranda Roldan and DP/Cinematographer Fabiana Lowe, who helped bring Miranda’s powerful script and performance to life. Maggie is committed to creating narratives that resonate with women, challenge expectations, and offer audiences moments of connection, reflection, and recognition.


























Director of Photography: Fabiana Lowe

Fabiana Salgado-Lowe is a Peruvian-American filmmaker with two decades of experience as a writer, producer, cinematographer, and editor. She focuses on telling real, human stories that move people to take action. She currently works as creative director for a production company that partners with some of the most respected nonprofits in the U.S. 

Fabiana loves being behind the camera and shaping a story from start to finish, whether it's through a script, framing, a shot or fine-tuning a cut in post. She’s been making independent films since 2016, using both documentary and narrative formats to explore identity, connection, and happenstance.

“Miranda’s passion for the topic in Unqualified made it easy for the rest of us to join in and have the same amount of enthusiasm to make sure this film and message are seen and heard. I was the lead cinematographer and DP for Unqualified, working with a mostly female crew that was all-in on telling a story that challenges the status quo and poses bigger questions about female roles. It was a powerful, thoughtful project, and I loved seeing the shots come to life—especially the office scene, where the emotion really came through in the actors’ performances.”

















Strong Supporting Actor: Andrea Conte

Andrea Conte (“Dr. Russo”) is an award-winning American actress known for roles in Bloodline, Devious Maids, Drop Dead Diva, Burn Notice, and Letters to God. She’s recently been featured in national campaigns for San Pellegrino and Princess Cruises.

Born and raised in Garden City, NY, Andrea began performing at age 4 and studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute by age 12. A classically trained actor, singer, and dancer, she’s performed on Broadway, at Radio City Music Hall with Barry Manilow, and trained under legends like Charles Durning and Dom DeLuise. She studied acting and the arts in both NYC and Italy, and speaks conversational Italian and French.

Now based on the East Coast, Andrea is represented by Eris Talent (NY), Applegate Agency (Atlanta), and Burton & Robinson (Florida).

















Supporting Actor, 1st AD, Line Producer, Art Department: Heather Cole

Heather Cole as "Suzie" is a Philly native, newer to St Petersburg, FL, after living in NYC these past 7 years, where she met Miranda. Heather just adores being on set and will literally try her best to do everything she can to make a production the best she can. She’s an actress, producer, choreographer, and writer. She’s very excited about this particular project of empowering women to follow their dreams and never settling for a “no”.

Heather's favorite memory while shooting was never being so scared of librarians. They are a breed of their own.





















Grant Writer and Associate Producer: Christina Madrid

Christina Madrid has a diverse writing background spanning creative writing for magazines, grant writing for film producers like Miranda Roldán, as well as technical writing, speechwriting, and songwriting. In 2024, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by publishing her nonfiction book, Glows. Having spent much of her life abroad due to her father’s military service and her own career, Christina is a proud Marine spouse who now calls Tennessee home. 


















1st Assistant Camera: Jessica Lewis

Jessica Lewis is a Florida filmmaker based out of Tampa Bay. She works as a grip or camera assistant on both commercial and narrative projects. Jessica aspires to pursue a career in directing and cinematography, aiming to create more diverse and captivating stories. She has directed several shorts for film competitions in the area and has a few concepts currently in pre-production. Her goal on each project is to create a positive, safe, and inclusive set environment for her cast and crew. Jessica envisions contributing more creative work to the region and fostering opportunities for those who are underrepresented in the film industry.



















Gaffer and Music Coordinator: Michael D. Elliott

Michael Elliott is a Tampa-based filmmaker focused on telling visually engaging and thought-provoking stories. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, he has traveled and lived across three continents, five countries & more recently, two U.S. states (WA and FL). He credits those experiences for shaping his open-mindedness, communication style, and worldview. Michael has worked on eight feature films, thirteen short films, and over fifty commercials. In the last two years, he has expanded his interests into documentary work and music videos, having produced two of each. His work has been featured locally at the Sunscreen Film Festival for the past three consecutive years.

His on-set experience extends beyond cinematography, including roles as a camera operator, assistant camera (AC), gaffer, grip, and on-set producer. Before transitioning to set work, Michael was a full-time editor, with over 13 million online views accrued between 2014 and 2021. This unique combination of skills allows him to shoot with the edit in mind and approach on-set challenges with a problem-solving mindset. Outside of film, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and their German Shepherd.

"A team is always greater than the individual."

His work can be found at moviesmadebymike.com


PA - Molly

Molly is a first-time PA doing her best to keep the crew fed, hydrated, and mildly caffeinated. She’s defended their lunch spot from aggressive bums, taken verbal blows from mean librarians, and lived to tell the tale—all in the name of independent film. She also spent a good chunk of the shoot wrangling her absolutely adorable nephew, Romeo, who somehow ended up on camera more than she did—classic unpaid titi labor. Molly did get a part as the god-awful secretary to the admissions director, which was a true career highlight. They let her slate once, and she’s been chasing that high ever since. When she’s not stumbling through as a PA, Molly is the Director of Operations for a multi-million dollar healthcare company, which sounds way more impressive until you see her panic over a missing gluten-free wrap. Molly wants to thank the crew for welcoming her into the film world and teaching her what “10-1” means. Don’t worry though—Molly is not quitting her day job.


Current Team

Supporters

Followers

Incentives