Filmmaker Eli Zavala On Representation, Upcoming Projects, And New Short Film ‘El Carrito’

This NYC-based filmmaker is absolutely incredible!

A woman of several talents, Eli Zavala is known for her incredible acting and producing skills. She recently released a short film entitled ‘El Carrito’ at the amazing SXSW Film Festival.

We had the amazing opportunity of talking to Eli on her experience at the festival, biggest goal, and more!

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in the Film industry?

E: “Since I was a little kid. I wanted to be part of stories that I saw on TV; as I grew older I realized that I could be part of those stories as a performer and even more, that I could make those stories as a producer, so, when time was right for me to choose a career path I chose the career that I thought was going to be more helpful to do films, after that I studied dramatic arts, then founded a theater company that evolved into a film production company…and the rest is history.”

Tell us about your newest short film “El Carrito”.

E: “It’s funny, because it’s not my newest film, but it is a special one because it was the last project I shot as a performer literally right before the Covid-19 lockdown happened in NYC. The lockdown was on March 15, and we wrapped principal photography the night before. It’s especial that way and even more because it was through Nelly that I had the opportunity to bring to life a character that is, from my point of view,  the embodiment of many immigrants (not only in the US, but anyplace in the world) and her story is the story of many, and is about those subtle epiphanies that arise by overcoming life’s obstacles especially when most odds are stacked against one and one is just trying to make things honestly and the best of already difficult circumstances. Also, on my end, it was of the outmost importance to give to Nelly my own fears and hopes as a person of color, as an immigrant, as a woman living in a land different from the one I was born; and on top of all of this, Nelly was a character who shared her name with a dearest aunt of mine, one of the strongest women I’ve known and who lost the ultimate war to Cancer a few years ago. It was a special character that I cherish deeply and a good project overall in that sense.”

What was your reaction to it receiving the honor of being in the SXSW Film Festival?

E: “It was a double treat! I went to SXSW thanks to La Filmadora, the most amazing creative home for underrepresented/misrepresented artists and Latinx talent. So, going back to SXSW in person after these 2 years and going to do business as usual was already exciting, especially because Icon PR got on board, and they are an amazing team to partner with to make the most of an already amazing Fest. Take that and add having a project where I played the lead character as part of the official selection in the film lineup…it was just wonderful.”

How important do you think it is to provide a voice for diverse writers?

E: “Extremely important, and that’s precisely the purpose of La Filmadora: to push forward diverse narratives and amplifying the creative voices behind them to make them loud and clear in the entertainment industry. So, giving a voice, a platform like this, to performers, to producers, to writers, to talent in all sides of the camera is indispensable to really bring inclusion and authenticity to the screens of all sizes. That’s for sure.”

What advice do you have for young writers wanting to pursue a career in the industry?

E: “To young writers: write, then join writing groups; write, then submit your work to writing contests; write, then submit your work to open calls for writers; write, then submit your work to festivals…and then keep writing.”

What are some of your biggest career goals for your future?

E: “So many! But mostly being part of films and tv shows that dare to tear down stereotypes as they push artistic boundaries; to partner with people that are as talented as they are great human beings; to contribute to making La Filmadora a media powerhouse and the place to go for underrepresented talent of diverse backgrounds.”

Can we expect more work from you in the future?

E: “You bet!!! As of now there are 5 projects in the works, one of them with an Emmy Award winner producer and writer, which is all I can say about it at this point…and this is just the beginning, so, you’ll see a bit more of yours truly in the future.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

IG: @eli__zavala

El Carrito: Trailer I Website

Social Media: Instagram I IMDB

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.