STORY

Wakala Que Rico is a drama about a 23 year old Mexican-American young woman returning to Puebla, Mexico for the first time since her mother's passing. Feeling like a stranger in the place that shaped half her identity, she’s swept into a chaotic night out by her cousins. Some micheladas, cumbia, and a dance floor help her confront memories of her late mother and overcome her fear of not belonging by embracing and living in the present moment.

WHERE DID THIS PROJECT COME FROM?

I am fortunate enough to have spent the majority of my childhood summers and winters in Oaxaca, Mexico. My culture and experiences were always something that heavily inspired my work. After graduating from the University of Southern California's Film and Television program in 2023 I began to think strongly about who I was as a person, what it was exactly that I wanted to share with the world, how could I use my life experiences creatively and turn them into an artwork that the world could relate to? It was overwhelming to think about. In October of 2023, I decided to take a random and last minute 10 day trip to Oaxaca, Mexico for Día De Los Muertos. A cousin of mine was also visiting from Puebla, Mexico and convinced me to go back with him for 2 days, I had never been. I visited, fell in love with the state, the people, the rhythm of life, it was different and exciting. March of 2024 I found myself, once again, in Puebla, Mexico. I spent my days there tasting new foods, visiting new places, meeting new people, and most importantly falling in love with their night life. July of 2024, I felt a lack of inspiration in my work, I needed new experiences.. new stories to tell. Then and there I had the bright idea of packing my things, leaving Los Angeles and moving to my grandparents home in Oaxaca, Mexico for the rest of the year. I stayed from July 2024-January 2025, within 6 months, I traveled across Oaxaca and bits of Puebla. Everyday was a new story that taught me lessons. My time there helped me reconnect with who I am, to better understand the similarities and differences between the cultures. In doing so, I began piecing myself back together, rediscovering my roots, and growing from them. What began as a personal reflection has become the foundation of the work I create, work rooted in memories, identity, and emotion. I aim to share not just where I’ve been, but to invite others to see pieces of their own story reflected in the ones I create.

PLAN

October 2025 - February 2026: Pre Production

March 2026: Film 3-day Production in Puebla, Mexico.

March - May 2026: Post Production

Fall 2026 and 2027: Screen at Festivals

BUDGET

WHY?

This project and story comes from a deeply personal place; it combines memory, family, and identity. Through writing this short, I’ve learned how to turn personal experiences into meaningful connections. After graduating from USC’s Film and Television program, I felt both proud and overwhelmed about what to do next, excited by possibility, but constantly preoccupied with what came next. That changed when I returned to Mexico. There I roamed the streets of Oaxaca helping my grandpa sell his sugar cane and cempasuchil, cooked traditional food recipes with my grandma, laughed through late night food runs with my cousins, and danced until sunrise at our town/local festivals. I learned to be present. I learned to feel. Just like Sofi.