Help a Chicana Filmmaker Tell Our Stories

Help a Chicana Filmmaker Tell Our Stories

My name is Kelly Hidalgo Hernandez, a proud Chicana filmmaker born and raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. I've been passionate about visual storytelling since childhood, captivated by how film can preserve heritage, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate community. For years, I've been working to bring authentic Latinx narratives to the screen—stories that reflect our experiences, traditions, and the vibrant spirit of our neighborhood.

As a mother of a transgender child, I have a deeply personal connection to stories that intersect with my Chicana identity and our vibrant Boyle Heights community. My vision extends beyond my own experience—I aim to document the rich tapestry of lives that make our neighborhood unique.

I want to create films that explore not only LGBTQ+ family experiences but also the stories of leaders fostering community, dedicated advocates fighting for social justice, and talented artists expressing our cultural heritage through various mediums. Boyle Heights is home to countless compelling narratives waiting to be shared.

Boyle Heights has a rich multicultural history that deserves to be documented and shared widely. Our community faces unique challenges and celebrates distinctive triumphs, yet our authentic stories remain underrepresented in mainstream media. I'm committed to changing that by creating documentaries that capture our true essence while creating new expressions of our identity.

Currently, I rely on borrowed and rented equipment for my projects. While I'm grateful for these opportunities, this approach comes with significant limitations:

- Limited access based on others' schedules, making it impossible to capture spontaneous, intimate family moments

- Inconsistent equipment quality affecting the emotional depth of personal storytelling

- Higher long-term costs than ownership

- Restricted creative freedom when documenting sensitive family conversations

- Inability to build technical expertise with familiar tools

These limitations are particularly challenging. The most powerful moments often happen unexpectedly—a heartfelt conversation, a milestone celebration, or quiet moments of connection. With my own equipment, I could capture these authentic experiences with sensitivity and care, rather than missing them while waiting for equipment availability or having the presence of borrowed gear disrupt the natural dynamic.

With your generous contribution toward my goal, I'll be able to purchase essential filmmaking equipment including:

- A professional-grade digital camera with versatile capabilities for filming in diverse settings—from quiet church interiors to vibrant street festivals

- Quality audio recording equipment to clearly capture interviews, music performances, and community events

- Lighting kits adaptable for various environments, from intimate home settings to community gatherings

- Editing software and computer upgrades to craft documentary footage that honors each unique story

- Stabilization equipment for dynamic documentary shooting across city streets

This equipment will enable me to document the multifaceted stories of our community. Having my own gear means I can respond quickly to community events, build trust with documentary subjects, and ensure consistent quality across many different settings and stories. The result will be a rich, authentic portrait of Boyle Heights and its sister communities told through the voices of those who make our community special.

When underrepresented communities tell their own stories, we all benefit. Your support isn't just funding equipment; it's investing in:

- Documentary films showcasing diverse voices

- Authentic representation of Latinx families, including those with transgender children

- Stories of church leaders who build community and provide spiritual guidance

- Profiles of dedicated community advocates working for social justice

- Documentation of local artists preserving and reinventing cultural traditions

- Breaking down stereotypes through intimate, personal storytelling

- Creating visibility for experiences at the intersection of culture, family, and identity

- Building bridges of understanding within and beyond our community

- Stories that will inspire future generations of Chicana filmmakers

My creative vision is to document the full spectrum of experiences in Boyle Heights and its surrounding communities, creating a multifaceted portrait of our people that honors our diversity while highlighting our shared values of family, creativity, spirituality, and resilience.

I'm channeling my passion and perspective into powerful visual storytelling that centers on our community's experiences. As a filmmaker from Boyle Heights with a deep connection to transgender advocacy through my own family experience, I bring an authentic perspective that's rarely represented in media.

My dedication to bringing our stories to light comes from lived experience and a profound understanding of how representation matters. With proper equipment, I can transform my vision into reality and create documentaries that truly represent the diverse experiences of families like mine in Boyle Heights.

Every contribution, regardless of size, brings me closer to sharing our community's stories with the world. Beyond financial support, I invite you to:

- Share this campaign with others who value diverse storytelling

- Follow my filmmaking journey on YouTube and Instagram

- Participate in future community screenings and events

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for considering this investment in Chicana storytelling. Your support directly empowers a voice from Boyle Heights and helps ensure our community's stories are preserved and celebrated for generations to come.

Con mucho cariño y gratitud,

Kelly Hidalgo Hernandez